The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Herd - Hour 2 - Aaron Rodgers' Negative Impact

Episode Date: November 14, 2023

Colin's new Herd Hierarchy.Colin discusses the negative impact Aaron Rodgers has had on the Jets.Guest: Nick WrightSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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We're live in Los Angeles. It's the hurt. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening. Thanks for making us part of your day. Nick Wright in a couple of minutes, it is great to have you in today. Ken Dorsey has been fired as the offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills after lots of drops, fumbles, interceptions. Buffalo lost that more than Denver won it. That said, congrats to Sean Payton.

He's right at the ship. relative to what it could be based on the limitations of talent offensively. Buffalo's just chaotic, underachieving, and frankly not as talented offensively as I've probably thought for years. I think I've probably overstated their talent. And I love Josh Allen. I kind of classify him as a Lamar Jackson, a unique, unicorn talent that does things nobody else in the world can do. But they need to be hard-coached. They can get a little sideways in terms of fumbles and turnovers.

So it's a bumpy road. It's hard when Mahomes and Burrow are in your conference to get there. You know, so you've got emerging players like Trevor Lawrence. It's hard. So it's not linear. Like Lamar's had some bumps along the way, injuries. Josh Allen's had some bumps. You know, Mahomes is the one that has a great owner, great GM, great coach, Hall of Fame, Tide End.

It's been a little easier for him. He can get sideways at times, did it college, done a couple of times. in his NFL career, but he's got the people to kind of bring him back when he goes, you know, a little bit into the weeds, shanks the drive a little bit, and he does. He can get a little while, a little flag football, and he brings him back, but this stuff is hard. Do you think they fire the OC if there isn't 12 men on the field and they re-kick? Let's say the bills win that game. Is Dorsey still employed today? Good question. Yeah. A little bit of a scapegoat. What a disaster. McDermott's in real trouble, Colin. And he knows it. That's why he feels.

fired this guy. He's trying to deflect it away from him because he's the one who has not been doing good job this year. Listen, Alan hasn't been spectacular, right? Well, he has a lot. The numbers have been good, but he's been a turnover prone. I think he leads the league in picks and turnovers. Like, yeah, he's up there. All right. Here we go. Heard hierarchy, top 10 teams in the league, fire away. Hierarchy. Time is now. Let's go. The top 10 NFL teams, according to college. Number 10. Let's not overreact to Jacksonville. They've won 13 of their last 18 games.

They still have a star quarterback when ATN scores. They win. He didn't. They didn't. They have 18 takeaways this year. Offensive coached. I still think they're a bit of a rebuilding roster. But, you know, they can't beat the Chiefs, and they were hammered by San Francisco,

but I still think they're a top 10 team in the league. Number nine. Seattle. Schedule gets really rough. They got the Niners, Cowboys. Niners again, Eagles coming up, but two of their losses have been to the Bengals and the Ravens, so you can lose to good teams. I do think Gino Smith has gotten a bit turnover prone, did not have a turnover for the first time since week four.

I don't see Gino as a guy that hoists a trophy. I don't see the Seahawks as a Super Bowl team, but nine feels fitting. Number eight. Cleveland. Listen, they were missing. They're three best offensive tackles against the Ravens and they won. And they're three and one. Let's give them credit against the Niners, Bingels, and Ravens.

So they're beating good teams. And Deshawn Watson, as a starter, is 5 and 1. And there were multiple moments in that game where you were like, okay, if that's what I get with Deshawn Watson, this is going to be a playoff team. He's good. Now, I don't feel he's quite what he was at his prime. But it's like Russell Wilson. I see some of it. Like last night with Russell, I saw a lot of it.

With Deshawn this past weekend, second half, 14 to 14. I saw it, so I have Cleveland at 8. Number 7. Dallas at 7. And again, they play the easiest schedule in the NFL so far. All six wins against teams with currently a losing record. They have the tied for the most penalties in the league. I don't trust them situationally.

They're very good at home, so-so in the road. That's why I won't put them higher. I think they're incredibly predictable, incredibly reliant on CD Lamb, who's great now, has become an absolute top six-seven guy in the league number one, Cowboys at seven. Number six. But I trust Detroit more because I think they have more players at a high-level. level in their prime, not as reliant on one star receiver, two backs I like, 15 and four last

19 games. This defense was awful last year to top 10 defense. Don't love their defense on the back end, but I really like Detroit. I think they're going to host a playoff game, and I think they're going to win a home playoff game, at least one. Number five. Bingles are a bit beat up on their defensive front, and that worries me. But Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase, this offensive season.

staff. Pretty good, right? He leads the NFL in completion percentage week five on, 74%. I'm sorry, I'm taking the points and the hook three and a half against the Ravens. I don't care about their injury situation. I trust Burrow in big spots. Let's not go crazy. If Boyd catches that ball in the end zone, they probably win since he at five. Number four. Don't freak out with Baltimore, although there is a disturbing trend. They become a bad fourth quarter team because of turnovers, but to the number one rushing offense and the number one scoring defense. They should have beaten Pittsburgh, but there were drop passes, and they probably should have beaten the Colts.

In the end, their defense allows the lowest passer rating in the NFL. That's a real thing. That's a real thing, Baltimore at 4. Number 3. Maybe I've got Philadelphia low, but they've lost the turnover battle in four of the five games. They just sort of grind you down. They're so deep.

The story of this team is Jalen Hertz and this general manager. I don't know what bank they're using, but they just keep adding good players. They wear you down. And I'll say this. This organization's just better when it counts. They've beaten 12 straight teams with winning records in the regular season. Like that's the opposite of the Cowboys. They are often their best in the big games.

Dallas is their best against the lousy teams. Number two. When healthy, it's the best roster in the NFL easily. Trent Williams, Debo back. They annihilate Jacksonville. I know Brock Purdy. That's why I don't have them number one. But I mean, even compared to the other top teams in the league,

they have literally pro bowlers on every unit. Every single one outside of maybe quarterback and cornerback. And when they get Trent Williams, they win. Debo, Christian McCaffrey, hell they may not be as the year progresses. They do have a team with a lot of physical players. Debo, McCaffrey, Trent Williams, Kittle, Bosa. Those guys may not be healthy at the end of the year, but when they are, give me a break. They're completely stacked.

Number one. Well, it's an interim year. A lot of interim coaches and interim quarterbacks. This could be an interim choice for me. I don't know how long it'll last. But they're the best team in the league. Situationalally great. By the way, they're coming off a buy.

Andy Reid's 27 and 4 off a buy, including the playoffs. So they'll win this coming week. Here's the thing that worries me, though. In the second half this season, the worst scoring offense. So the thing with them, what's that mean is, they can't be the old chiefs where they can get behind 21 to 3. And they're not going to put you away.

What they need to do is get a lead. That isn't the chiefs generally that have won a Super Bowl. They didn't need a lead. They just needed the ball late. This team has to play a certain way. They've got to take a lead. They can't be sloppy. The good news is it's the best defense Mahomes has ever had.

It'll get better as it gets healthier. Chiefs. Interim, just interim number one. Nick Wright joins us live. Co-host First Things First. Hey. Listen, a lot of interims in the league. I thought it was appropriate, right?

You're unbelievable. You're unbelievable. You know, I got a sneak peek at the hierarchy prepping, but I didn't know what you were going to say. And I was like, oh, Colin finally landed where I knew he would land eventually. I thought it was going to take until next week because the Chiefs do, I know they are

coming off a by, but as are Philadelphia, and they play the Eagles on Monday night football in Kansas City in six days, and I promised you that when the Chiefs win that game, that's when you would have them number one. But I was so pleasantly surprised that you had done it a week

early. You had tried to circumvent any criticism. And then your explanation for why they are the best team in football was just things they do poorly. You're like, they are number one, here's what they stink at. That doesn't make sense. And so, all right, that's, I mean, it's half a victory for me, I suppose. But yeah, so we're not all of a sudden trusting Lamar and the Ravens more than Patrick Mahomes.

And what's up with Colin? I'm just curious, are you going to still like the Bengals to make the conference championship game when they missed the playoffs? Like, I believe in Joe Burrow as well, but they do have to get in the tournament, which right now they're underdogs to do. Yeah, I know. Well, I don't trust Pittsburgh.

I don't know what to make of it. You know, I mean, listen, I do think we could admit it's the best division in football in terms of, I mean, Pittsburgh's the worst team, in my opinion, and that's a really good roster. That's a really nice roster. They just don't have the quarterback. I will say this.

Eagles, Chiefs play on Monday. Philadelphia is a fascinating team. because they just grind you down. They're like a baseball team that's just got, they're flawed, but their number seven hitter has power, and you're like, eventually they just get hits and they figure out away, second, third time. Like, I like Philadelphia, but I do think I watch them,

and I'm like, I know they're going to win. It's not, what do you make of it as a chief's guy? I'm impressed by it. Listen, I think the point you made about Roseman's roster construction is a smart one. They are super deep. They have either the best offensive line or the second best offensive line in football. They either have the best defensive line or at worse, the third best defensive line in football. I love how aggressive they are. I know we only talk about fourth down decisions when they don't work. We've just watched an awesome Lions Chargers

game. They went seven of eight on fourth downs. Nobody said, ah, the nerds are ruining football. everyone's like, that game was awesome. Philadelphia goes for fourth downs at a rate we've never seen in NFL history, and it gives them a decided schematic advantage. Jalen, I think Jalen is having a good, not a great year, but I think he is a great leader, and I trust him as more than any other quarterback in that conference. My concern for them is very simple. If they have to go, like we know Dak Prescott can cut up that secondary,

I believe the Lions, because the Lions can block them up, can cut up that secondary. If they were to make it to the Super Bowl and face the Chiefs, the Chiefs hung 38 points on that secondary in last year's Super Bowl. I know that was a drastically different Chiefs team because Checks notes, that team had Ju-Jew Smith-Schuster and otherwise it's the exact same team. So, listen, I am really impressed by Philly, and ugly wins or wins, and to be the only one lost team is a hell of an accomplishment, I still think defensively they only have one way to beat you,

which is win the line of scrimmage. If you can hold up there, I think they can be had on the back end. And last point, Colin, I do think if you look at Detroit's schedule, man, I don't know if J-Mack has a bet in on this. I bet this a couple weeks ago, Detroit to get the one seed. If they end up getting the one seed and have it all go through Ford Field, I think Detroit is a live, viable contender to win the NFC. So I'm going to throw this at you. I was thinking about this during the commercial break because, you know, this thing never shuts off, just going to 1,000 miles an hour.

And I was thinking about it. So if I go to high school, college, and pro career with Josh Allen, there's only about a two to three year stretch when he wasn't out of control. and that coach is gone. And like anything in life, there's about four great NFL coaches and four great offensive coordinators and five or six great quarterbacks and six great receivers. The percentage of people who are great at anything, Wall Street and Silicon Valley, is a small percentage. And I thought to myself, maybe Nick Wright is right, is that you can't use Brian Daible and say that's what he is. You can say Brian Daible was the exception.

what he really is is high school, college, and the rest of his pro career, which is just a wildly talented guy that's sort of out of control. Is that nuts? Yeah. No, I mean, is the take that I've had for the last four years nuts? No, I actually strongly agree with my own take that I was yelled at and mocked for. I had to deal with the indignity, Colin, of folks having this opinion. Nick, you don't actually believe those things about Josh Allen.

You're just threatened by Josh Allen. We had to go through a whole cosplaying of Mahomes Allen. It's the new Brady Montana, even though the idea behind Brady Montana was one guy has the rings, the other guy has the MVP's, when in Mahomes Allen, the same guy who has the rings has the MVP and is undefeated against the other in the playoffs. But I digress.

Here's the thing. Josh, Ben Solac from the ringer was the first person I heard say, person I heard say this, and I think it is really, really smart. Everyone talks about the 13-second game against the Chiefs kind of breaking the franchise emotionally. And there might be some truth to that. I also, now that we have seen how Cincinnati has dominated this team, even if they had won that game, I have no reason to believe at this point they would have then beaten Cincinnati in the next round.

So maybe they weren't even a Super Bowl team that year. But more than it defeating the team emotionally, what I have seen from Josh since then, and maybe it does have something to do with the Brian Dayball leaving, is he plays every game like that is the circumstances. Yeah. Like we are going to be in a 40 to 35 shootout, so I've got to take all these chances. Colin, this team's 5 and 5 and just fired their offensive coordinator. Three of those losses have come to Zach.

W. Mack Jones and the Russell Wilson Broncos last night. I know Russ is playing better. In those three games, Colin, Josh has nine turnovers. He is in all of those games trying to make these hero plays even when the game doesn't call for it. What everyone, well, I shouldn't say everyone, what a lot of people fell in love with Josh is the ability to make those hero plays.

What he has shown an inability to do is turn that off and only activate it when necessary. You don't need to make great plays to beat Mack Jones. You don't need to make great plays to beat Zach Wilson in the first game of the year when an ending was going to play. You didn't need to make great plays to win last night when Sean Payton was calling a game that clearly didn't fully trust his offense. You just need to not blow it up. And he doesn't, you know, Tom Brady, you know, Tom Brady, you. your guy a month ago had Josh on his podcast or on his radio show and said, I've told him, and Josh is on there laughing, smiling with him.

I've told him, take the checkdown, take the easy play, and Josh won't listen. And at some point, the talent can be the talent, but if you refuse to throttle down when necessary, that's why, just think about it, Colin, if you could not turn the ball over again, Zach Wilson, Mack Jones, and the Broncos last night, despite all the flaws and injuries, you're 8 and 2 and in first place in the conference. That's what it is, and that's the problem. That's good. So I was, I'm not an awards guy, be it Sai Young, Heisman. I love college football. I'm not awards. But I do think Jerry Jones was asked about- You don't have a Heisman vote? Sorry to interrupt. I did. I did. I voted for Eric B. Enemy, and they gave it to a B.IU

quarterback and at the time, BYU quarterback's all through for a thousand yards a minute. So I was like, okay, this is stupid. If my guy doesn't at least compete. Yeah, I know. And so that's how old I am. Eric Biedemey. That's shocker. It was my heisman vote. No, yeah, I know. Running back for Colorado. Of course, I remember, I'm just

shocked you don't have a Heisman vote, but go ahead. That's an indignity. That, you know what? I don't take the award seriously anymore. Now that I mean, 900 people got to vote. You don't. You're up here tweeting about late, back 12 football. But go ahead. I interrupted. Sorry. So I was thinking. I'm thinking about the MVP, and I've always pushed back on the MVP, what does valuable mean?

Valuable means you walk out the door and the company's not the same. The Cowboys were four-and-one with Cooper Rush. He's not the most talented guy in his offense, C.D. Lamb is. I could make an argument, because what I believe valuable is, is that C.J. Stroud, if C.J. Stroud isn't drafted, and it's Davis-Mills, they're one and eight. This team has a shot in this division to be a wildcard team. he's the best player on their offense first time coach first time play caller first time offensive

coordinator offensive line mayhem for a month ton of injuries it's like I'm not I'm not saying he's the best I'm talking valuable CJ Stroud has completely it's not a well-owned team

we don't know about the front office it's a rookie everything in coach I agree with all of this listen I'm not ready yet well that part I agree with I'm not ready yet to say right now he'd be the league MVP. I'll tell you who mine is in a moment at this point. But he is a hundred percent a viable candidate. This is not a situation where they are coaching

around their rookie quarterback. He is pushing the ball down the field. He is, I know that everybody is, you know, kind of feels like that if Tyler Boyd catches that pass, the Bengals win, I don't know that. Tyler Boyd, there was a minute 45 left. That would have put him up for. I think C.J. Stroud might have drove them right down the field for a touchdown the way he drove them down for a field goal or the way he did it against the bucks. This is, his success is gobsmacking to me, Colin, because I looked at this year's draft class and I said, I mean, I guess I would take Anthony Richardson won because of the lottery ticket upside. But I didn't think any of these guys were anything close to sure things. and I thought Bryce would not work, and I thought C.J. Stroud was like, okay, he'll be fine.

This is shocking. They had six starters out on Sunday. He was great. So he at least is in the first page of the discussion. Here's the guy I would vote right now for MVP, and I want to know what you think. Because I don't want the MVP to become the Heisman where it's like, all right, who's the quarterback of the best team?

Right. I know it's become a quarterback-only award. I don't love that. And this year, there is not, to me, one standout quarterback performance. So if there's ever a year to change it up, it would be this year. What about Miles Garrett? He's been dominant every week. The team has no – I know Deshaun played well in the second half last week,

but the quarterback situation's been in total flux. that the best unit in football this year, offense defense special teams has been the Browns defense. He has been wildly productive. They might win that division. They're certainly a viable playoff team. At week 10, I think you can make a really strong Miles Garrett case as we sit here today. Yeah, I don't think that's a bad take at all.

Now, I do think Deshaun felt like he got into a bit of a zone, and he may elevate, and it'll take some of the glare off of Miles Garrett. I don't think it's a bad take at all. Well, you ended with a good take. I didn't love the early ones, but I think you ended it. Oh, I mean, what do you want for me? By the way, even though you put the Chiefs at one, just America, I'm going to hold my dear friend Colin Coward to it.

Don't forget, one week from today, the rare Nick and Colin double dip. I will be on this show as I am every Tuesday. And if the Chiefs, when the Chiefs have beaten the Eagles, for a couple minutes around 3.15, Colin Coward's going to make his first thing's first debut via satellite. agreed to a week ago. Don't you forget, my friend. I will not. I will see you in a week. All right. So look at him. He doesn't look thrilled. He doesn't look thrilled about it. I gotta say. Good to seeing you, buddy. Nick Wright. See you. Bye.

Now that's next Monday night football game, right? Is that Chiefs, Eagles? Boy, that's a good one. AKA the Kelsey Bowl. I cough in my throat. I can feel something coming up. Like a 45% chance Taylor Swift shows up at that game. She's in Brazil over the weekend. I know. I saw her and her boyfriend. Yeah, Kelsey.

Yeah. They're, you know, it's got into a frisky stage, a public frisky stage, which is kind of the... The early young puppy love. You remember that when you were in your 20s? Everybody has it, you know. Yeah. Then you get old and it's like, eh. You know, whatever.

It's not. What's for dinner? Pot roast. Thanks for listening to The Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio and noon to three east. 9 a.m. to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd at foxportsradio.com or stream us live every day on the IHeart Radio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. Listen to comeback stories. I'm Darren Waller. You may know me best as a tied-in for the New York Giants. You may also know me

for my story of overcoming addiction and alcoholism. You may have heard a few of my tracks as an artist or a producer. You may have seen the work that I've done through my foundation. And you may know my friend and co-hosts Donnie Starkens as well. He's a mindfulness teacher, a yoga instructor, a life coach, a man fully invested in seeing people reach their fullest potential. And we've come to form this platform of comeback stories to really highlight not only our own adversity, but adversity in the lives of well-known guests with amazing stories.

Catch us every week on comeback stories on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all,

embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the 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, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand-new podcast,

the Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me, or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. 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 Jett. And I'm Alex English. We pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line.

We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you finishing that sentence. 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 I heart radio app Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts J-Mac with the news no no turn on the news this is the herd line news all right so

you know my brother watches the show regularly and he'll defend me when I say hilarious stuff or wacky cakes yeah I don't think you're for what happened last night on social media after Stefan Diggs didn't really do much in the Buffalo Bills lost in Denver. His brother, Trayvon Diggs, who is now recovering from surgery, the Cowboys quarterback, went on social media and urged his brother to leave the bills saying, man, 14 got to get up out of there. He then doubled down saying, let's not forget. He didn't start going off, he meaning Josh Allen, until, Bro got there.

Where do you think Trayvon Diggs is getting these cakes, these spicy takes? He must be talking to Stefan Diggs who cannot be happy in Buffalo right now. Colin, this is not what Buffalo needs. Trayvon Diggs piling on. This is ugly. This is really bad. Family members can make life difficult.

Just the reality of family members. So, of course, people want to parse the words. Josh Allen didn't go off until Stefan Diggs got there. Alan's first two years were okay. Diggs got there. He goes from 20 touchdown to like 37. The offense takes off. Diggs a great player. That being said, how much credit does Diggs get? Because remember,

Brian Dable was the O.C. those first two years. So what? Did Brian Dable need Diggs to become an awesome offensive coach? Like, I don't, I... I don't totally agree with Trevon Diggs. Do you? No. I mean, I think Trayvon Diggs, like any good receiver, makes a quarterback better. But I think receivers. There's a reason Trayvon Diggs left Minnesota. Stefan Diggs left Minnesota. He wanted to upgrade quarterbacks. There's a reason he said, yeah, like get me

to Buffalo. So I think they've been good for each other. I think it's reasonable to say that Josh and Stefan Diggs, they've been good for each other. And that's okay. Doesn't have to be your... But quarterbacks historically drive receiver production. Receiver production doesn't drive quarterbacks. I mean,

Larry Fitzgerald, as great as he was, was better when he had his best quarterbacks. It's the reality of the game. I just wonder where this goes from here for McDermott. I think this is Diggs as last year. Yeah. It's salary-wise, Allen, spikes. Yeah.

And they've got a, they need some more help. In a lot of places. The defense got a whole quick. All right, next up, Deshawn Watson. Much maligned Deshawn Watson. I had a shoulder injury earlier this season. Now he's nursing a left ankle injury. He suffered in the Wren over Baltimore.

He stayed in the game but left the stadium in a walking boot. Stefansky said that Deshawn got an MRI on Monday. Did not have an update for the big Sunday game against Pittsburgh. Man, he's got a lot of injuries. Well, yeah, let's remember. They were down both starting tackles against Baltimore. Yeah, I think they were missing a third, too. Watson started first pass of the game, pick six.

One for nine in the first quarter. And you've got to give him credit without a starting tackles on the road again. against your number one team in the herd hierarchy. 14 for 14 in the second half for Deshawn Watson. Yeah. Listen, he's been through it, let's just say, for the last couple years. I don't want to say he's back with this one performance, but Colin, this was as impressive a performance as we've seen in the second half,

down two touchdowns. No, it's like I said about Russell Wilson last night. You saw glimpses. You're like, oh, okay. Deshawn, the second half, you're like, all right, that was him about four years ago. I mean, he carried them. They didn't have any running backs. Yeah.

Jerome Ford coming off the end. Like, I'm stunned by how good Watson was. We'll see if he continues. Final story. I know I was on a firing coach's kick yesterday with Arthur Smith. You really were. I apologize for that. But the Falcons are four and six.

They've lost four or five. Not just me calling for Arthur Smith's job. The Dirty South is not happy with him. According to the athletic owner, Arthur Blank has been supportive of Smith behind the scenes and reportedly will not fire his head coach during or after. the season. Is this the dreaded vote of confidence? Well, he's been a little snippy. I don't love all the personality stuff, but I don't think he's the problem.

I do think they have probably the most underrated O-line in the league. I don't like the Bijan Robinson stuff where they're not playing him as much. But I don't, I think they are, it's a classic example like Robert Sala. What are you going to do when your quarterback is obviously a backup? What are you going to do? It's really the margins in this league when you have a great quarterback. are narrow. When you have Lamar Jackson, the margins are narrow. What are we going to do with a backup? It's funny. Coaches look really bad. That's why I put pressure on coaches when you have Josh Allen and

Justin Herbert win games. You've got to win games with those guys. But when you have a backup quarterback starting in this league, that's why what the Colts doing with Shane Steichen is a great example of how good that coach is in Indy. They're winning and they've beaten some good teams with a backup. You know how hard and on the road? You know how hard that is to do in the National Football League. That is tough. Went in with a backup. A clear backup. So how far do you take this?

Well, okay, you know, Smith's been okay, but he doesn't have a quarterback. Like, okay. They're not just growing on trees. You can't just go find quarterbacks. Like at some point, the quarterback or the coach has to scheme up the quarterback, aka O'Connell with Josh Dobbs. Well, I think you have to look at

Kirk Cousins. You have a very young offensive kids. They could use a mature veteran presence. The offensive line is good, so you don't need a quarterback who's wildly elusive. They can create a nice pocket for Kirk Cousins. You sign a three-year deal. You draft a quarterback. Wait, wait. He's

coming off the Achilles. You sure you're doing a three-year deal? Two-year deal, whatever. You do a team-friendly deal. You draft a quarterback, not with your first pick. Probably second, third-round pick. You draft a quarterback. I think Ritter was a second-round pick. All right. Well, then he's a backup, and, you know, but I think

you look to find your next quarterback. There's nothing wrong with buying on the market, buying Kirk cousins, and drafting a quarterback. There's nothing wrong with doing that, and you tell Kirk, you're not our future. You're getting to be middle age in this world, and you're coming off a major surgery. But I don't think, I give offensive coaches an extra year if I think there's something to work with here. That whole line is good. Those weapons are good.

Okay, that's a great point. Why didn't he use the weapons against Arizona? He's not throwing the football. I didn't love that either, but a lot of that is fear, based on the quarterback's ability. He just doesn't want to put him out there to... I mean, when Josh Allen and Lamar are turning it over, what's a backup going to do on the road?

Like, you worry about it. You coach a certain way based on your quarterback in this league. Coaching scared. Much easier to take big swings with Lamar and Joe Burrow and Herbert and let it rip on, you know, in the red zone or deep in your own territory. It's just much easier to let it rip than it is Desmond Ritter. Listening to that, there's not a big middle class of quarterbacks, right?

There's like an upper crust. And then you know who's firmly middle class is like Kirk Cousins and Jared Gough? Like Atlanta would kill for Jared Gough right now, right? I think Jared Gough is high, high middle class. Upper middle class? Yeah. Like he's got a sports car and a beach house too. Middle class for Jared Gough.

That's the middle class executive who's got a bonus and a pension. That's pretty high. So, Dack is upper middle class. Jack is upper middle class. Kirk Cousins is upper middle? He doesn't have a beach house. Derek Carr. Derek Carr's middle class.

But he does have a second car. And a nice watch. And he's a member of the country club. And a lot of losses. Not the best country club. Well, when you're shaking your head. Derek Carr's... Is that outrageous?

I liked a car coming into the season. He was good with the Raiders. Just lost a lot of games. I've sold my stock. Yeah, I sold mine as well. After the losses, which hurts... Yeah, how many times can I bet lose? I'm done.

I know that's juvenile, but it's like if you burn me, I'm out. Yeah. A J-Mac with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Lye News. I've got a hot take on the Jets and the Patriots. Hot.

Like, I'm starting to sweat. Thanks for listening to The Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio and noon to 3 Eastern, 9 a.m. to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd at Fox SportsRadio.com or stream us live every day on the IHeart Radio app by searching Fox Sportsport. Radio or FSR. 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, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media.

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

and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Cliverts 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-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 it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack.

I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack, so I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now, so... Then you're 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. What a week, it's been for the Wolverines. As of now, Coach Jim Harbaugh will not be on the sidelines pending an appeal. And all of this, as they try to stay undefeated and make a push for the playoff, big noon kickoff live from Maryland at 10 a.m. Eastern then, it's Michigan, Maryland on Fox.

Upset alert? Stop it. Sandwich game, Penn State, Ohio State. Maryland's like the Oregon State of the Big Ten. Washington goes to Oregon State this weekend. Upset alert big time. Maryland's not as good as Oregon State, but watch out. Watch Michigan be flat.

All right, so, you know, I think about this from time to time. Like at one point with Baker Mayfield, I'm like, eh, he's married. I don't want to pick on him anymore. I was too harsh. and I just kind of scaled back. And I was pretty tough on him. And I think Zach Wilson, I've been pretty brutal.

And, you know, he's a kid. The O-line stinks. They got one legitimate receiver. It's New York City. You know, and to be honest with you, is Nathaniel Hackett great as an OC? Robert Sala, I thought, made a very, very strong case the best I've heard for Zach Wilson.

It is hard to make changes just to make changes, just to pacify something, especially when someone's not deserving. If he was deserving of it, I got you. Like, let's change something. He's much better than he was a year ago. He is year one in a new system, a system that was, again, like I said, though, for Aaron, let's be real. And now we're trying to make a shift to get it to where everyone's comfortable with where we are. than last year. It is a bad offensive line. That's a good argument. That's a

very good argument by Robert Sala. Lost in all of this for the Jets, though, is Aaron Rogers' negative impact. You do get that Hackett wasn't the best OC available, but you had to hire him for Aaron, and that Alan

Lazzard was not worth that money. But you brought him over to appease Aaron, and that Randall Cobb had a nice career but is done, but he's due to Aaron. And the Jets don't have a second pick due to Aaron. And they can't go buy an expensive left tackle, which they need desperately because Aaron's expensive.

Zach Wilson's irrelevant. He was going to be the backup this year. He's not the future. You're not winning when Aaron returns a Super Bowl in the AFC. You're not winning this division with a weaker than needed OC, a much weaker than needed O line, in a tougher conference in Alan Lazzard's clogging up space and you really shouldn't pay them what you pay him. Aaron brings a lot to an organization.

I would never deny that. But there is a LeBron quality without the trophies and final appearances. Aaron is demanding. And one of the things older quarterbacks all need is better offensive lines. Stafford is not the same without Andrew Whitworth. Brady lost that great center. wasn't the same after the Super Bowl, right?

They had some O-line injuries. This team's not a Super Bowl team. Boy, they could really use a left tackle, but between what you pay earn and pay Alan Lazard don't quite have the space for it. Zach Wilson, he is better than last year,

and he's not the future anyway. James Jones says, play him, whether you like him or not. I don't think the backup to the backup is better than Zach Wilson. That's my, that's my, that's my humble opinion. If the backup to the backup was better than Zach Wilson,

Zach Wilson would have been out a long time ago. So I think Zach Wilson is truly their best option that they have over there, you know, at the New York just because Aaron Rogers is hurt, and that's why they're holding on so long. I don't think it has anything to do with him being the number two overall pick, first round pick. I think those guys behind them are not better than him. That's fair.

That's fair. I said I would sit him. Those are both good points. All right, so, hot take. Throw it out there. Now, in the NBA, what I'm about to say is understood.

We all know it. The NBA doesn't like it, but it's the reality. Teams tank. All the time. In the NFL, like hockey, there's a physical component so you can't ask players to go half speed.

But you can have DNPs. You can cut guys, move off guys. I thought it was rather interesting. The Patriots way. cornerback Jack Jones a position they're already refusing to play J.C. Jackson and Christian Gonzalez is hurt. Why would you waive him now? He's been immature since high school and college. He was immature with New England. Why now? You're sort of short-handed at Corner, are you not? Who's the Patriots next game? It is the

strangest game of the year, Week 11, where the loser is the winner. the New York Giants. Bailey Zappy gets name starter, or maybe you're worse off with Mac. Now you're down, Jack Jones. I've been told, source that J.C. Jackson will not play. Christian Gonzalez already out. Interesting, isn't it? Look this morning at the draft board.

If Carolina keeps losing and the Bears have their pick, the Bears will take Caleb Williams. Drake May, maybe, but Caleb Williams. There is only one other quarterback viewed as an A prospect, and the Giants and Patriots are 2 and 8. And you would think Belichick, just because of his history against young quarterbacks, would, through default, beat Tommy DeVito.

But the Giants, even if they could play, Daniel Jones out, even if they could play Tyrod Taylor, he's not ready now, and I don't think they want him to. I think the giants are in a soft tank mode. Patriots should beat them because Belichick beats rookie quarterbacks, young quarterbacks, and bad quarterbacks, like 75% of the time. But suddenly they waved a corner that's been immature since high school. What's the rush?

If you look at the draft order, Arizona Giants New England are all two and eight, but Arizona has Kyler Murray. They're going to win. of their remaining seven games, one or two. Matt Stafford back to the Rams, they're three and six. That probably means a win or two. Green Bay and Tennessee aren't great at quarterback, but both Will Levis and Jordan Love certainly are going to play

as well as they possibly can. They want to win games. I know it's a hot take, but Giants Patriots, now, I can argue what is the one position New England can't draft. Wide receiver. So if the Giants get the second pick, and my belief is the Patriots will beat the Giants,

just because Giants will make mistakes. So the Bears will get the first pick through Carolina. They'll take Caleb. Giants will get Drake May. Patriots, I don't think he'll draft a quarterback. I think they'll take Marvin Harrison. The one position, 15 years they can't draft. But it is interesting.

Am I crazy? Why wave Jack Jones now? why not play J.C. Jackson at all? I'm saying I'm right. I'm just saying it's a... I wouldn't even call it a take. It's just a... It's interesting, right?

Things happen for a reason. You're already short at Corner? I don't know. It's just crazy, right? I'm not saying I'm right, but it's a thought. This is what we do. It's a thought exercise. I like it.

What's the Patriots backup plan if they fall to three? Do they go for Kirk Cousins? If they miss out or do they say, Hey, Bo Nix, come on down. I don't know. Love Bo Nixon. Marvin Harrison. He's a generational

Randy Moss-level talent. Is he saving Mac Jones? He's helping Mac Jones. He may not save him, but he's helping him. Hour three next. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert

Smigel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

Where does your group? perform. We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show.

This is a place for raw, 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 Clifford Show on the IHeard 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'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an I-Hart podcast.

Guaranteed Human.