The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Herd - Hour 2 - Blazing 5 NFL picks

Episode Date: December 1, 2023

Blazing 5 NFL picks for week 13 of the season More on how the Cowboys have improved over the past few weeks Aaron Rodgers has caused the Jets to make a lot of mistakes this season   Guest: Eric ManginiSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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J-Mack, I got to be honest with you. I do not like my picks this week. I'm doing something. I'm being called a mark, a square, because I like superior quarterbacks. And I am swallowing points all week. You're going to look at my picks and not like any of them. So a lot of underdogs this week? No?

No, I'm taking favorites, and you know I do not like favorites. But I think we're getting to the point in the season. You saw it last night. Defenses are tired. They're injured. They're beat up. I think it's statistically defenses get hurt more than offenses. So very good quarterbacks are having their way with defenses right now.

And I think this will be a weekend where very good quarterbacks will play better than very solid defenses that are beat up. I think favorites were 12 and 4 against a special. bread last week, so maybe everyone's saying that that will shift this week and the dogs will have their day. You ready to go? Yeah, I'm ready. Blazing 5. Let's blaze it up.

Fire it up. It's Collins. Blazing 5. Lions at Saints. All right, I like the number better when it was minus 4, but I'll take the Lions minus 4 and a half. They're coming off extra rest. They haven't lost back-to-back games in over a calendar year and they looked awful against the Packers

so you know it was an intense week of practice. Their offense this year has been sensational. They can run it. They've got playmakers. And again, that was an embarrassing loss to Green Bay. Dan Campbell and that staff, you know they tighten the screws this week at practice. They're also a good road team, four and one. I don't like the Saints.

The Saints have 14 straight drives without an offensive touchdown. Their defense isn't getting to the quarterback golf will have time. They're all beat up, and I don't think Dennis Allen is a head coach. I'll take the Lions to win and cover. 2820, just one of my picks I don't like this week, but I'm going with it. Baby, Gough is winning. Falcons and Jets. What the hell am I doing?

I'm taking Tim Boyle and the Jets plus one and a half. They're coming off extra rest. This staff is coaching for their life. Their past defense is good. The weather could stink. It's going to be a physical football game, and the Falcons have lost three of four. Desmond Ritter is not a franchise quarterback, so either's Tim Boyle. Who cares?

I get the home team. I get the staff fighting for their lives. I get the much superior defense. I think it's going to be one of the ugliest games of the weekend. I do not trust Desmond Rinner and Atlanta on the road. I'll take the Jets 2120. 49ers at Eagles. Another one of my bad picks.

I like the Niners minus two and a half. The number was better on Sunday and Monday when the Niners were getting points. But a very good team coming off rest. They are healthy. And by the way, 8 and 1 is brought Purdy when Trent Williams is healthy. They are ready to go. They've got revenge.

And the Eagles came off a super intense football game where their defense was on the field for a long time. Every day off helps at this point of the season. Eagles increasingly are turning the ball over 11 in the last six games. I don't think you can be bad in the first half and good in the second and beat the Niners. I'll swallow the two and a half and take the Niners to win 3026. Rounds and Ranks. I know I'm a square. But I'm going to take the Rams minus three and a half, meaning, you know, Cleveland's the side.

Everybody likes the sharps. I'm going to take the Rams. They're in the playoff picture. This game means a lot. I think they've done a remarkable job despite injuries to get in this spot. The Browns, though, is the story. Offense, 23 giveaways, a ton. Joe Flacco, one in ten in his last 11 starts, gets the nod potentially.

His last 20 starts, he's 3 and 17. He's cooked. Amari Cooper's hurt. David and Joku's banged up. Some are speculating Miles Garrett. They may rest him to play next week he didn't practice. All I know is this. McVeigh and Stafford, Cooper Cup, Pooka Nakua,

Pyrin-Williams, and an offensive line that's healthy at home. I'm going to take him to win in cover. The Sharps, Vegas loves Cleveland, 2720, I'll take the Rams. Bengals and Jaguars. Can we be honest, because they got shelled by the Niners, People sold their Jaguar stop. They're really good. Only loss in their last eight games is to the Niners.

They don't get penalized. They've only had 54 penalties all year. They're well-coached. Trevor Lawrence, this season, 67% completion percentage. It's a really good football team. They're 13 and 3 over their last 16 games. Yeah, they can't beat the Chiefs of the Niners. The Bengals are now without Joe Burrow.

They average 15 points in offense. That's what the last eight games the Bengals have had, No Joe Burrow? They've averaged 15 points. It's in Jacksonville. I've got to swallow eight and a half. Their defense isn't good now. I mean, that's right. It's a mailed-in season for Cincinnati.

Their defense is last in many categories. I'm going to take the team playing for more with a star quarterback against a backup, a water pistol offense. 3220 Jacksonville wins. Monday night's going to be a big deal. And there are my picks, and I'm not sure. any of them or any good. I like San Francisco. I just like the number earlier this week. I'm not a big fan of taking favorites. I took four, but I feel with golf, I have the better

quarterback. I feel with Stafford, I got the better quarterback. Trevor Lawrence, I got the better quarterback, and the Niners are a rested team. I worry about Philadelphia and all those snaps in that wildly emotional game. I think the Eagles could be a bit flat and tired. And I don't know what I'm doing with the Jets, but it's going to be, I look at even J-Mack shaking his head at my pick. When J-Max's shaking my head, I think, I'll say it again. I don't think Sol is the problem. I think they're going to come out, get a defensive touchdown, it's going to be sloppy and ugly, I'll take them. The other game I considered was the Titans plus one. I may be making a mistake. Instead of taking the Jets, I could take the Titans. I do like, if I had a six-pick,

in fact, I'll probably. Yeah, you can't put after-tax dollars on Tim Boyle. I don't care if he's home, road, playing on the moon. That's, I can't back that. Everything else I like. Everything else. You like the other four? I mean, I love the Niners, you know. I love the Niners. Eric Mangini, joining us live.

Jets Browns. I've never had less confidence in my life with any of my picks. Well, you're very compelling. Listen to you. You made some great points. You wouldn't know it. I want to start with this. You know, you know this.

Is that when Green Bay and McCarthy and Aaron broke up, Mike McCarthy took all the hit. He's no good. He's a bum. Now I'm watching him for the second time. He won with Favre, Rogers, Cooper Rush, Dack. Dax never been this good. This is a really good football team.

And I'm like, maybe Aaron was a little more high maintenance and difficult than we want to acknowledge. And I watched this Dallas team since the by. Eric, they look very well coached. Situationally, I can disagree on fourth down, third down. I think Mike McCarthy is a better coach. You've defended him before. I think he's a better coach that I want to give him credit for. Is that fair?

You've got to give him a lot of credit. They've won, what, six out of seven, and they lost the Philadelphia game. And you could say in the Philadelphia game, maybe he should have kicked the field bowl instead of going for it on fourth down where they got stopped, and now they're kicking a field goal late in the game instead of a touchdown. You could disagree with that. But I don't think it was unsound logic for what he did there. Over the last four games, they're averaging 40 points a game.

Dax playing as well as he's played. And what happens with Mike in the Cowboys is there's so many expectations put on them that when they fail to reach expectations like they did against Arizona early in the season or when they struggled like they did against San Francisco, it's different than other teams. Michael Parsons is right in that sentiment that it's like the sky is falling every time they have a setback. But they've been really good for a stretch now. where I am concerned,

and what I don't like is the volume of penalties. They're the most penalized team in the NFL, and that to me is something that's completely controllable, and the head coach has a big influence on that as well. I want to talk about Eagles-Niners for a second, and I've always used a word when describing a franchise quarterback. You know when you have one because they're an overcomer, missing the left tackle,

number one receiver's out, playing from behind, their defense can't make stops. You know, last night's a great example for DAC. Defense couldn't make stops. He overcomes it. Brock Purdy, when tied or trailing in the fourth quarter, second half,

isn't a very good quarterback. Hurt, Jalen Hurts, when trailing or tied, is a great quarterback. And I look at Brock Purdy, and I'm like, folks, he never trails. He's got all the weapons. He's got Kyle.

I like him. But I think he's, we're going crazy on it he's shown me no ability to overcome when everything's not in the driveway and the mercedes is not there to drive off like i just now i think this week this game this matchup works for him but i don't know i like brock pretty i think we're all we're going crazy on it your takeaway on it you're absolutely right colin and last last year i think they they only trailed in maybe the the las vegas game and and that was it and then you start the season this year you don't see him facing any adversity and and he's outstanding and he's

everybody is making comparisons that are unfair comparisons to historic quarterbacks and and i get it his numbers are really impressive but there's there's a lot of quarterbacks that have played in the system that have had impressive numbers and then when he does face adversity which to me like you said is the mark of a great quarterback when we had tom you knew it didn't matter if you were trailing because he was going to find a way if we got him the ball to bring him back. And in this situation, every time he's faced that adversity, it hasn't been very good. And until he gets over that hump, it's hard to put him in a category of great quarterback. You don't want to take away from what he's done, but 17 points, you hold him the 17 points

and they've lost all three games. Yeah. Okay. So you know this, having taken over the Jets and Brown. When you have to clean up messes, it makes coaching even harder. Sean Payton had a lot to clean up. First of all, I got to get Russell Wilson right. Got to be honest, coach.

It took about five weeks, but he kind of looks like the old Russell, not quite as twitchy, but accurate. No turnovers, moves well, the laterals. As a coach, nobody liked what he said about Hackett, but I got to be honest. I watch him, and I'm like, this was a hard lift. Has he not done a good job? He's done a really good job. He'd love to have that press conference back or that interview back or wherever he said what he said back. And then he knew it right after he said it, I'm sure.

But you go into a place and you have a philosophy and you've been coaching for a long time and you know what good looks like and you know what your expectations are and you want it to happen right away. But you can't because there's a process. and everybody's got to get used to the way that you do things. And then it reps build upon reps. And that's what they've been doing. They've got a good coaching staff as well.

And I'm sure he's been extremely demanding. You love what he's done in terms of taking Russell Wilson back and making him a player again, as opposed to, you know, an elite member of the organization that can be such a distraction and so disruptive in the locker room. Now he's a guy. He's another guy. that's being held accountable, and it's not just good for Denver, it's good for Russell Wilson. Yeah.

And you watch it against the Browns, and they have some of these quarterback-driven runs, and they're the difference in the game. Yeah. The Browns are honoring him as a runner, and he scores because they're going towards the back. He scores a touchdown. He gets first downs. He's making big plays. And like you said, he's not as twitchy as he was, but, God, he looks a lot closer to the guy that we knew in Seattle

than the guy we've seen before, right? Yeah, no. And it's great. It's great for him. It's great for Denver. And look, it's hard. It's hard to transition a whole organization and do it quickly. Yeah.

So you know Jim Harbaal well, and I think he's great, but I could certainly make the argument, like Nick Sabin, he's better for college, because he's intense. About the time you want to strangle him, you go to the NFL, right? Like, in the NFL, you know, if you're a veteran and you've been there for a while, seven years with Jim may feel like 15 with another. coach, and I say that affectionately, but some coaches are better in short spurs. I think Harbaugh is better as a college coach, although he got to a Super Bowl and I think he's a terrific NFL coach. Your takeaway on working with him knowing, is he better off to stay at Michigan, even if, even if there are some NCAA bumps or turbulence?

To me, Jim, Jim is one of the purest football coaches I've ever been around in my life. and you think of the stereotypical coaches and the idea of them wanting to die in their cleats and that's Jim Jim Jim is as sincere about his love of football as any person I've ever been around I remember we started training camping and we came back a week early and he's in there saying isn't everybody so excited you guys probably couldn't sleep last night

we're all groaning a little bit because we're there a week early he is that kid in school that can't wait to get to class and can't wait for homework and can't wait for tests. And he just loves everything about it. So it works in college and it works in pro football too. And the other thing I've always loved about Jim is he's not afraid to try new things. He's not going to be bound by what conventional wisdom is. He'll go in and he's willing to experiment and that's where progress comes.

That's where change comes. That's where we've got a chance to distinguish yourself from other organizations. You know, there's going to be a lot of openings like there are every year. And I think Jim, if he decides to come back to pro football, will do a great job wherever he lands. All right. My most regrettable Blazing Five pick of my career, I took the Jets. But one of the reasons I did, not a great pick, but I just haven't survived.

It may not be bad. It may be okay. But here's my take on Sala, is that if you look at the seven coaches on the hot seat and the two that have been fired, it's all organized. that have been in chaos and underachieving. It's the same circus revolving door. Sala, passionate, team plays hard, got his side of the ball. That's all I care about.

It's not his fault. He didn't draft the quarterback. So my takeaway is I'd bring him back. The Jets need continuity. That's what they really need. Your takeaway, you know the owner, you know Woody. You think Robert Sala? I mean, I'm telling you, I'm reading stuff.

I'm hearing stuff. I don't know if he's coming back. Your thoughts? Yeah, I don't think it's set in stone by any stretch. I got fired after going nine and seven, and we didn't finish off very well, but the discussion going into the season was very different than the reality at the end of the season with Brett Farb. Now, it depends how Woody views Aaron Rogers and the things that happened to him, but there's got to be some accountability for the quarterback situation after you get past Aaron Rogers on the depth chart. why was Zach Wilson still in the number two? Why are they in the situation that they're in right now?

Did they really sincerely believe that Zach had mature that much and done and improved that much so he could carry the team if he went in? That part's discouraging. Why the running game isn't better? The dysfunction offensively, and you get a big buy I get for Aaron Rogers getting hurt, but not finding any sort of identity or functionality, now, that to me is problematic.

And Robert's done a great job with the defensive side, but he's the head coach of the whole team. So he's got to step in and give some sort of hope and progress on this offense that he just haven't seen to this point. All right. I cannot believe I took the Jets Plus. I just, I look at that on the screen. What a regrettable, terrible pick by me. Oh, Lord. I figure you might be okay.

Okay. Great seeing you as always, Eric. I appreciate you coming by, and we'll see you here in a day or two. All right. Talk to you, Sir and College. All right. Jay Mack, I should have taken that Titans pick. I just don't trust Will Levis.

I don't know. They got injuries. I don't know. It's never too late. It's never too late to make a change, buddy. This is regrettable. May it blazing six this week? Six-pack?

The Alabama plus five and a half six points was interesting. Well, that's gone, by the way. Yeah. I also like Oregon to cover the spread against Washington. I saw it 10 last night. I haven't looked in the last hour. I know. If Washington covers, it's late. I have a great parlay for you this weekend. Thanks to Draft King's Sportsbook. New users, please use the code Hurd when you download the app. Here's my parlay pick of the week via Draft King Sportsbook. I'll take the Lions minus four at the Saints. I'm out on Dennis Allen. I think he's one of the worst coaches in the league. Lions got embarrassed by Green Bay. They bounce back and win. Chargers minus six at the Patriots, a desperate team coach and a hot seat

in New England. I'm not sure they want to win games. I'll take the Chargers to win by more than a touchdown. And I'll take the Jaguars hosting the Bengals. Jake Browning, not it. Can't beat you downfield. Jags want to get that number one seed. They're motivated. If you want to take the Hurd parlay, check out Draft King Sportsbook, please, new users. Use the code Herd, H-E-R-D. When you download the app, It's real simple. 21 plus in most eligible states, but age varies by jurisdiction. Eligibility restrictions apply. Gambling problem.

Call 1-800 gambler. In New York. Call 8778-8 Hope-N-Wire. Text Hope-N-Y 4667-369. See show notes for full details. 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 apps. athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win.

A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying. Yep, that's me. 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 blow your mind on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Sunday, we got a huge doubleheader on Fox.

First, the Lions take on the Saints or other regional action. Then, in America's Game of the Week, Christian McCaffrey and the Niners, Take on Jalen Hertz and the Eagles in one of the biggest games of the year. Check for the games in your area Sunday on Fox. It's a very difficult weekend where I think a lot of teams are win. I can tell you who's going to win the games this weekend. Of course, it's the numbers. The Jags are going to win.

The Rams are going to win. The Niners are going to win. The Lions are going to win. I just don't know the numbers. But I will say last week, favorites cleaned up, and it was better quarterbacks winning again. That has been a big trend that's NFL season. defenses this time of the year get beat up. They've got holes.

Miles Garrett may not play. Take the better quarterbacks, my theory. J. Mack with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. So the Jags haven't been in prime time in a minute. For the first time on Monday night football since 2011,

Jacksonville is running hot and won seven of eight. You know, they potentially have a chance at the number one seat that the Chiefs stumble, the Ravens stumble. It's a big game. If Jacksonville doesn't get. Monday night football games, that place is going to be buzzing. Does Jacksonville actually buzz? A little bit.

Okay. It's not a hornet, more of a small bee. A yellow jacket. Here is Trevor Lawrence on his mindset. If you want to talk about the number one seat or whatever that is, you know, we put ourselves in a situation where that's attainable, you know, we're right there in the mix. So I think that's something that we definitely, we're not oblivious to that fact.

Obviously, we're taking it one game at a time and you've got to win one game at a time in order to get there. But we understand that that's a real, that's something that's reachable for us and that we can do. It's still early in the year. I mean, we're getting towards the back half, but you can't look ahead. You can't get too far ahead of yourself. So we're taking it one week at a time. We understand what we can accomplish and what we can do, but you've got to just take it one week at a time. You can't get too far ahead.

You can't look in the rear of your mirror either. So being in the moment is really big. You know what? They spent a lot of money on offense, the Christian Kirk's, Ridley. They spent money on offense, and you know what? They got a good offense. It's a good team. That Houston wins tougher than people think.

On the road, tough win. You know, you went on your backwards hat rant yesterday. People are all worked up. Trevor Lawrence, you know, goes with the hat backwards sometimes. Hat was forward there, but he went sleeveless. Do you have an issue with showing out the guns? Not a big fan of that, but I'm not going to get into it. Had the hat on the right way, not a big fan of it.

That's all that matters. Jacksonville's a little more chill beach town than, like, you know, New York and Philly. Oh, wait a minute. There's a new layer to the hat backwards. if you're outside the garage, but in a beach town. There are cultural and geographical realities with many of my theories. Oh, you're so layered and just deep. Next story, New England Patriots.

I can't wait until we're done talking about this franchise. It's close. They've lost four straight. Offense stinks. Mack Jones had started all 11 games, but it sounds like Bailey Zappy is a go. Mac Jones apparently is practicing with the practice squad guys. Are we sure they want to? want to win? Belichick has declined to make a starter, but it sounds like Zappi's taking all the first

team reps in practice. Colin, the line is down to five and a half for the Chargers. Well, I don't want to say a lot of this. Some of this has to do with Keenan Allen not practicing this week. They have no weapons. Dude, he's getting like 15, 20 targets a game. No, no, they don't. Who do they have without him? Austin Echler. Yeah, I mean, this is going to be an ugly game, a stayaway game for me. Yeah, I will not, I'm going to refuse to watch this. I'm just sick of the charges. They've cost me a lot of money this season. I mean, their brand right now in Los Angeles is the underachievers.

The dysfunctional underachievers. They're like the clippers. Yeah. I mean, to be honest with you, they are. They are, right. Talented and a perpetual circus. And that's a bad brand to have in a distracted market with a lot of options. You know the owners watching this.

And his kids, you guys have to do something. Like, you can't be like, oh, we're going to get a coach on the cheek. They could have had day bowl, man. it's the owner's fault when the branding is poor. I won't blame the owner for an injury to a player, but when the brand becomes dysfunctional and underachieving, then it's on the family that owns it. Change stuff.

And I'm not here to call for people's heads, but it's just a circus. Just curious, we're still early. Where's Mac Jones next year in the NFL if he's in the NFL? He's a backup somewhere. Given all the stuff that's out there about him in the locker room, only child syndrome, who's going to want to bring him on? as a clipboard holder.

I could see him being a backup to a Bow Nix. No, I mean, somebody gets, somebody gets like, he's just a backup in the NFL. He doesn't have the physical, he's got the dad bod, physical limitations, not, doesn't take to hard coaching. When Jake Browning doesn't win any games this year and the Bengals need a backup next year, do they look at a Mac Joe? Well, Jake Browning, for the record, Jake Browning, good in the room, people like him, coachable, no tandem. Yeah, but then he's got to go play games and he can't do a darn thing. I don't know that Matt can, but if Max got, assuming they keep T. Higgins and Jamar Chase, they'll be all right. Matt Jones, he has no weapons in New England.

Will somebody see him and say, you know what, we can fix this guy? This isn't like a 1960s wreck. No, I think you look at, like, when you see Justin Fields, you're like, there's so much dynamic playmaking, turnovers. But you look at Justin Fields and go in Atlanta, hey, we just want an athlete back there. We got Bijon Robinson. We got Kyle Pitch, Drake. We just need an athlete. That's a good question.

So I can watch Justin Fields and go, okay, like, Trey Lance, Cowboys said, we'll give you a fourth-round pick. We see an athlete. A big kid, coachable runs. When I look at Mack Jones, I don't get the coachability, I don't get the athletic ability, I don't get the mobility. I don't, what do I? So what's your sellability as an agent? Why would I want him? You got to give me something that I go, what?

Sam Darnold, for all his issues, you can put a YouTube tape together and see some plays by Sam Darnel. Justin Fields, I got YouTube plays. What do I got? Mac now is a bad decision maker. So that was supposed to be his strength. It's like Baker Mayfield. We heard he was really accurate. When his accuracy went sideways, you're like,

well, you're not giving me size, mobility, athleticism, and now he's not accurate. So it's like with Mac, the thing he was supposed to be really good at, he's now really bad at. So there's nothing there for me. So teams are going to need backups. If you've got the choice, Justin Fields or Mac Jones, and let's say they both will try.

He's a much better athlete. He can score touchdowns for me. Justin Fields can make plays. I don't need it. There's a difference between, like, the bottom line is if you, if Justin Fields, if I was an offensive coach, right, the Bears culture is, you know, they can't get a quarterback. If I'm an offensive coach and my starter goes down, which they mostly do for two weeks, can Justin Fields win a game?

Yeah, because he's hard to prepare for it. Another one. James Winston or Mac Jones, who are you picking up as your backup quarterback? I'm calling Tim Boyle and seeing if he has enough. I'm not taking either of them. guys. I mean, James is a bigger, stronger athlete who

I think, so I would probably take the bigger, stronger athlete. And just to people scoffing at home watching this. Carson Wentz was on the sofa for like eight weeks, this seat. Like nobody wanted it. Once you start that locker room toxic stuff,

nobody wants you. That word gets out. Yeah. So listen, say what you want about backup quarterbacks? Like 50 guys are playing a year quarterback. You need a backup quarterback. Carson Wentz, I just text

Les Sneed the other day. It's like, hey, Carson Wentz has enough money to retire. He wants to play. He's all in. And they're like, he's 6.5, 2.30 with a big arm. He could be a great backup. I mean, if Carson Wentz is motivated, how many 6'4-240 athletic backups are there who are in the running for an MVP five years ago? We just don't know the motivation. Final story is, Bronny James is set for his final evaluation by USC this week. After suffering that cardiac arrest

during a team workout in July, he has set to practice, Bronny, that is, next week and could be playing Later this month, here's how LeBron said he'll handle his son's debut. Lakers fans, listen in. Whenever he's cleared and whenever he's ready to have his first game, I already told my teammates that if they play on the same day, we play and then I'm going to have to catch them next game. So family over everything, champs, I let y'all. I definitely got to see Bronny's first, you know, it's college game

whenever he's cleared and ready to go. Absolutely. Should. No question. Not like LeBron hasn't carried this franchise for five years. By the way, did you see the video LeBron on the bench last night just really upset with getting just destroyed by OKC? Lakers fans are already speculating. All right, what trade are we doing this year? Who are we moving? Because they didn't look good.

Now, OKC is very good. OKC is really good. And young, and, you know, OKC is your classic young team plays hard every night. If you walk into OKC and think they're going to play their arse off every night. night of the year. They'll beat you by 20. Oh, they have the talent, but they're not going to win the title. They're just too young. But that's one of those teams. They will play hard. 78 of the 82 games, they will out-effort who they play. And Lakers got some old guys and long-on-the-tooth guys, and you don't want to play OKC at the end of a road trip when they're arrested or, you know what

I mean? Like when you're tired and you're an older team, they will run you off the floor. Yeah. If I was DeAngelo Russell, I would not go extending my lease wherever you're staying out here. I didn't get that signing. I did not get why they did that. He's the most movable chip they have. They're not moving Austin Reeves. Stop it like his fans. They're not moving off.

You don't move off. But I did not get the dealo. I did not get that extension or whatever they call it. I don't want to be harsh toward the guy, but he may not make your team right now. J-Mack with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Hurd-Lie News.

So I saw this story this morning. about is DAC potentially an MVP. So you see quarterback lists all the time. You know, quarterback pyramids, quarterback tiers, Mike Sando does that stuff, top 10 quarterbacks. So you have to consider this. Joe Burrow done for the season. Herbert doesn't have the right coach. Josh Allen turnover prone season. Aaron Rogers hurt. Jalen Hertz has been great in the fourth quarter, not in the first half. Mahomes is, you know, is trying to figure out of these young receivers. at this moment with this staff and this coach and this confidence, Dak Prescott, and I've never said this before,

but he is a top three quarterback right now in the league. He's not a top three resume. He's not a top three arm talent. He's not a top three athlete. But if you look at the quarterbacks and what they're dealing with in this moment right now, DAC is a top three-ish quarterback. So DAC's stock price today on the market is very, very high. Other stocks who we consider to be better companies are floundering a little, but DAC in the moment is a top three quarterback in this league.

And again, at this moment, the O-Lines healthy, C.D. Lamb is on fire. Ferguson has since the by been a highly productive tight end. And so not everybody is a supernova. Not everybody grades out or evolves at the same time. DAC is, you know, Tom Brady talked about playing chest, not checkers at the line of scrimmage. This is DAC's eighth year of starting, and that is about the time, by the way, that Brady, we kind of felt like Tom Brady when he was 30 years old in the seventh or eighth year, kind of started playing chest not checkers.

So, Dax's as good as I've ever seen him play. Mike McCarthy is doing a tremendous job to round out this offense, and here's Jerry Jones after the win last night. In my mind, he's the best he's ever been. In general, in general, he's the best he's ever been to Duff as far as Dax is concerned. Jerry, he's playing that way, but I think he's the best he's ever been all around. He's really not bought into, but he's really doing the things that are coordinated with what Mike wants to do. It feels rewarding to see a good plan come to bear.

Yeah, no, Dax's playing great. And just, you can see Jordan Love. Oh, he's more confident. You can see sometimes Justin Fields lacks confidence. You can see C.J. Stroud plays with confidence. You could be missing a receiver. You don't get protection. Right now, Dak is playing like he thinks he's the best quarterback in the league.

And there are Sundays that he's up in that class. So, tremendous. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. I'm the king. What's good, y'all? main man Michael Smith, esteemed NFL analyst and certified fantasy football legend. Allow me to present to you your new favorite fantasy football podcast. The Dynasty Exchange, hosted by my first round rookie picks, Davis, Dylan, and Josh,

three guys who most definitely know their stuff. They're the co-commissioners of the coolest and most cutthroat dynasty league you'll ever come across, the Yacht Club. And now they're the co-host of the most elite. Now make that the definitive dynasty program in the game. It's dedicated to only the most devoted of diehards, the guys like me who can't stay off sleeper in KTC. And trust me, you won't regret making the choice

to follow their dynasty advice. Listen to Michael Smith presents the Dynasty Exchange on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential.

Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win.

I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clivert Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement

to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment. And the next, we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told,

and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok. Podcast Network on TikTok. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast.

Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of tauntons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith Rule of Two. Listen to Stuff to Blow Your Mind on the iHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Championship Saturday takes over Foxes. Two huge games take center stage. First, we kick things off with Boise State taking on UNLV for the Mountain West Crown at 3 Eastern, then at 630. Number two, Michigan. They're undefeated season on the line as they face 16th ranked Iowa. UNLV.

UNLV football. Barry Odom, done a great job this year. All on Fox in the Fox Sports app. Never mentioned Barry Odom on the show today. You just did. Now I did, yes. Okay, hey, so Aaron Rogers, this is what he just said. Robert, solid, Joe Douglas, Nathaniel Hackett, are going to be a recipe for the Jets success.

So another season of the Adventures of Nat Hackett is on the way because they're not getting rid of anybody that Aaron wants. But here's my question, if you're a Jets fan or if you're a Jets media person, when does New York turn on Aaron? Because it's coming. So the downside to having power and using it is then we can start judging your moves. Alan Lazard, Aaron wanted him. Healthy Scratch last week. Randall Cobb wouldn't be there without Aaron? Three catches this year.

Dalvin Cook, influenced by Aaron's want, 162 yards. Nat Hackett, even Aaron's been caught on camera, shaking his head at some of his play calls. So when you have power and sometimes entertainment figures or star athletes will have it, be very careful about using every ounce of it because now you can line up all the misfires and Aaron can deny he wanted Hackett and Lazard and Cobb. In fact, the cynical part of me wonders if Aaron is not pushing to come back because he sees the misfires and he's trying to create some goodwill. So for the next five to six months on New York Sports Radio and the New York Post,

they're not crushing him. And they see him as a guy that is sacrificing physically for the city and the team. So I don't think he should play. I don't think he's going to play. But, I mean, it feels like to me, Diana Rusini was on our show earlier this week. She said, Aaron calls the shots here. Everything has to do with making sure Aaron Rogers is not only happy. But he's empowered, right?

They want to make him feel that he's not just the quarterback on this team, but he's part of this franchise. And he has the control, and he is given that control. Now, look, there's a collaboration. They all have conversations. But bottom line here, if Aaron Rogers wants it, Aaron Rogers is going to get it. I would retain Sala and Joe Douglas. My guess is there's better OCs on the market, but at this point, Aaron just turned 40, I believe. leave or he's about to turn 40.

Tomorrow he turns 40. So, you know, when you get older and you're an athlete, there's certain things you want. You know, Tom Brady went to Tampa. And for about 12, 13 games, they were trying to figure out Tom was trying to say, hey, this is what makes me happy. This is what I'm going to do. I got the rings. You guys don't.

We're going to do it my way. So I don't have a problem with Peyton Manning going to Denver, you know, toward the end of his career and saying, guys, I'm the guy that's going to elevate the franchise. I'm going to want some things my way. Brady and Tampa. They went back and forth for 12 weeks, and Tom said, I'm going to win this argument. Goes to the owners, I want my way. I have no problem with Aaron keeping Hackett because, you know, whatever makes Aaron comfortable,

you gave up draft picks, you gave up money, you've got to make this Aaron thing work. So whatever Aaron wants, Aaron gets. The downside, though, Brady didn't ask for a ton. He said, get me, Gronk. Hey, Lenny Furnett would be good. They both ended up being very important. and Gronk was hugely important. And Leonard Fernett, if you go back to that playoff run, playoff Lenny was pretty.

So if you're going to ask for stuff, then they've got to be productive. Antonio Brown was a mess. But I think he had a touchdown in the Super Bowl. So Tom asked for some stuff, but Tom stuff produced. Yeah, Hall of Fame level guys produced. Aaron asked for it. Nobody's producing. And they're losing.

So again, Matt Stafford came to L.A. That wasn't his space. He didn't ask. They had the GM and the coach. So Russell Wilson went to Denver. You know, he wanted his own office. That didn't play at all. That wasn't even a player.

He didn't like the office. So Aaron's like, yeah, I want this, this, this, this, this. None of it's worked. So at what point? And I defend him on it. Like, if I was a quarterback and I went to, I'd want one of my guys. I wouldn't ask for a second. I would want a certain quarterback coach or a coordinator.

I wouldn't ask, you know, Hackett wouldn't have been my choice. especially what happened in Denver. But again, if Aaron, they got to make this work. They got a year left. They got to make it work. And so you do what you got to do. I would bring back Sala. I would bring back the GM.

And if Aaron wants Hack it, then I'd bring him back too. I would try to move off Lazzard. I would go, you know, I'd say, Aaron, we'll do the coaching thing. We're going to get players. This is what we do. Aaron does no personnel. I mean, I love LeBron James. Remember when he wanted Shabazz Napier in Miami?

me players don't that's not what they do keep them out of drafts keep them out of personnel you know brady said listen on third down i need gronk he's also a great blocker that's different but when they went and drafted a right tackle trifton worse they didn't lean on tom for that one like in the coaching staff they didn't really lean on tom for remember tom had to inherit bruce aryans uh byron left which tom didn't get his coach tom said hey can i bring my third down my buddy my hall of famer gronk uh then he wanted AB. But Tom didn't get into the coaching stuff. Nat Hackett's the coaching stuff.

Organizations can get, you know, generally, you want a player or a coach. Aaron kind of asked for, you know, Aaron wanted everything. And Aaron's going to deny, I didn't bring Hackett. We all know the game. Like, let's stop. We all know why guys are there, all right? So you had power, you kind of used it. None of it worked.

And again, Brady stuff worked. You know, Russell Wilson got an office. Didn't work. What was the first thing Sean Payton said? Remember the first press conference? He addressed the office. Yeah, we're not going to do that. So if stuff, if you win, you can get away with stuff.

Like once Brady got that Super Bowl, then you can ask for more stuff. And that's kind of a toothless media in Tampa. You get in New York now, I'm going to start turning on Aaron. Yeah, LeBron wanted Kevin Love over Wiggins. Finals, title. If you ask for stuff, they better produce. Remember in Green Bay, Aaron was not getting everything. he wanted. It was like, hey, we're going to run this franchise the way we see fit.

And Aaron wanted what he wanted, didn't get it. Hey, let me go to the Jets where they're desperate and they'll give me everything I want. They'll give me my OC, my receivers, I'll call the shots. Look at that quote that he said today. We have a really good organizational structure. On what planet is that factual? The offensive coordinator stinks. They can't score any points. The GM did not get a backup quarterback for Aaron Rogers, whiffed on Zach Wilson badly. And Robert Solis. has been losing the locker room all season.

I know you want to push back and that's fine. But nothing. Rogers is saying is factual. He's desperate to control power and keep everything fine. And damn it, I'm just so annoyed that I have to, that I picked this team when I was a kid to move for. I don't mind people going to a company and asking for things,

but they better be productive. You got to deliver. You, yeah. Gronk worked. A, B worked. Now, Tom didn't go coach and player. Tom's like, get me a Hall of Fame tied end.

Worked. A.B., Crazy Town. Worked. But he had to... It wasn't just a Hall of Fame tight end. Grunk had retired. And then, Grady... He's like, I gotta get away from Belichael.

And then, Ariens moved upstairs. But Tom brought him a trophy. So once Tom was successful, then you can start layering your asks and go to say, hey, I want Bruce upstairs. I want Todd Bulls. But if you ask, nobody's productive, and you're losing... Have you seen the footage today?

Like, Aaron Rogers is actually trying to jog and, like, do sideways movements. Well, good for him. This is... I'm at the point where I'm ready for them to lose out. They're not making the playoffs. Just lose out. We all know that.

They can get a top six pick. But Rogers wants to come back and mess with that? He's not. It's not happening. They're going to win this weekend over Atlanta, 21, 20, and then they're going to lose the rest of their games, and Aaron's not coming back. So you can't risk it.

Turns 40 tomorrow. You can't risk this stuff. Oh, is it tomorrow? I think a lot of this stuff is PR. Aaron wants to say, hey, things didn't go. as planned. I am superhuman. I got your back. Because he's not going to play.

He's not going to play. Hour 3 on Friday next. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my

guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged.

It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days I'd put on 10 pounds, I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 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. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.