The Herd with Colin Cowherd - THE HERD - Hour 2 - Final Herd Hierarchy, more on the Micah Parsons trade, Nick Wright

Episode Date: September 2, 2025

He gives his final Herd Hierarchy before the NFL season officially kicks off and why the Chiefs are no longer a top 3 team. Plus, he talks to Nick Wright from First Things First about the Micah Parsons trade and why the Cowboys did better than what people are giving them credit forSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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This is our last heard hierarchy going into the season. Listen, the hardest part of this hierarchy was not the top. It was who do I put 10, 11, 12? I got to watch the first couple of weekend, so here we go. Heard hierarchy. Time is now, let's go. The top 10 NFL teams, according to college. Number 10.

I'm going to put Detroit in there. They've got two new coordinators. They lost two offensive linemen the strength of their team. They get Aiden Hutchison back. I think their division is better. This team last year, you know, you're talking 14, 15 wins. I think it's major pullback. They are so good upstairs.

They've built a really cool culture. I've always liked Jared Gough more than the rest of the media gallery. But I don't think this team wins their division. And I think losing elite coordinators, go-ass Philadelphia, can get ugly fast. I have them at 10. Number nine. I'll put the Rams, although I'll put the Rams, although. I think Houston is a dangerous opener with Will Anderson.

The Rams left tackle just started practicing this week. And, I mean, anybody spotted Matt Stafford in L.A. I think it's a dangerous opener. But I think they have the second best coach in the league. And when Stafford has time to throw with this young defense, they'll win games. This is amazing. They were the young. They played more rookies than anybody in the NFL last year.

And yet we're the least penalized team. They're a completely buttoned up organization. but left tackle and quarterback is a lot of question marks, and Houston is a scary opener with their pass rush. Number eight. The Packers. Let me ask you, is Jordan Love good? I don't know, but I like the culture.

I like the team. They were actually last year, one in five is in division, which is rare for them, so I think they'll improve. They were 10 and 1 against everybody else. Jordan Love starts the season slow, so that's a real thing. Joe Burroughs done the same thing. Reasons I don't know.

Again, I thought they went out and got a number one ride receiver. The Micah Trade is absolutely worth a win. I don't know if it's worth two, but they won 11 games last year and were banged up at quarterback, just out of respect for the organization and the coach. I think the Micah Trade works for them. I think they win the division. Number seven. Commanders are good.

I wonder if they're great. They have five prime time games. They're the oldest team in the league. Did you know that? Looked it up this morning. Older players do not like primetime games. The Chiefs are used to it, but it can be disruptive. Also, Jaden Daniels and the commanders scored on 50% of their drives.

I'm going to go with that. That's not going to happen again. The Debo Samuel chess piece is really interesting, but I have him at 7. Number 6. I'm higher on the Seahawks than everybody else at 5 to 1. They're the best bet to win a division. And here's my thing. Second year with a really bright young coach.

upgrade at coordinator and quarterback. They will be more run-specific. Gray's Abel has been a big pickup. He had a great preseason. They could not run the football last year. They will be a run-first team. They'll miss some big plays with D.K. Metcalf, absolutely. But I got to tell you, I don't think there's a better personnel guy in the league than John Snyder.

Their last three drafts, not a lot of misses. And I love this draft. I have the Seahawks at six. Number five. But are they Kansas City? No, I think this is where the gap happens, the final five teams. Listen, Kansas City was 12 and 0 and one score games. That's not going to happen.

But Andy Reid and Mahomes are the best at what they do in this sport, which is leaning offense. But the problem is that Rishi Rice six-game suspension. I feel like they've been bailing water at wide receiver for three years and it's worked. But, you know, let's be honest about that. Guess who was closer to his prime? Travis Kelsey. So they're going to be good. They have the best defensive coordinator, the best coach, the best quarterback.

The division is a handful. But I think they'll be a playoff team. But they got, they were so good in one score games. And I think the Raiders, the Broncos and the Chargers are all going to be a step better. Number four. Denver. I think it's universally understood that Bo Nix is a hit and will only get better. This is a team last year that was very good.

not great in one-score games. Now, Breeze and Payton were great in one-score games. So Fonix is not going to be one-and-six-in-one-score games. They also went out and got real players. Funget Safety, Greenlot linebacker, Evan Ingram at Tide End. They went and got productive veterans who will make an impact immediately. They didn't just go to the transfer portal and get rotational guys.

They want and got productive stars in this league. I have Denver at four. Number three. You know, Lamar Jackson, seven years won 78 games, and every game they lose is either against a playoff team or it's close. I know, I know, they don't win in the postseason. It's a fair criticism. But I think structurally, like Kansas City, I don't see holes in the organization.

Number one rushing defense, number one rushing offense. Everybody else says it's a passing league. Baltimore's like, yeah, we can do that. But I have them at three. Number two. Listen, well, they've beaten the Chiefs in the regular season, just not the postseason. I like Buffalo. James Cook's got his deal signed.

They got all their early draft picks. They went with defense, and that's what they should have done. Listen, I think Josh Allen is the most talented football player in the world. Size, strength, movement. I don't think there's anything quite like it. He doesn't have Mahomes' hardware, but he doesn't have Mahomes' coach. Joey Bosa, that's like under the radar, still a good player, but the Chargers didn't want to play for two rush ends. So I just think they're lined up to get to a Super Bowl.

Number one. Best overall roster composition in the league don't love their head coach, but what do you want me to say? In the trenches, O-line and D-line, they nailed two early round corners. I think they have the most players in the NFL, either in their prime or close to their prime. I can't find a hole on the team outside of. I don't always love the personality of the head coach. But for a team that just blew out the chiefs,

they were kind of strangely under the radar, so I have them at number one. And with that, Nick Wright, first things first is joining us live. All right, there's usually a gaping hole that I missed, so I'm going to offer you an opportunity. What did I really swing and miss on? I mean, I hate to christen your gorgeous brand new studio and welcome you back from what was, I don't know, six, seven week vacation with this.

But I think in all our time knowing each other, this is a bottom two or three herd hierarchy. I just have to, listen, the Eagles atop is fine. I still need to talk to either on or offline about how the charge. left tackle getting hurt made the Broncos so much better. I still don't totally understand that, but fine. You also said, you know, everybody agrees. Bo Nix is, you know, is a hit and good and, you know, I don't, not everybody.

My hands up on not agreeing. I think I wonder what the commentaries after Mack Jones first year, 10 wins, fake Pro Bowl going into year two was, and we compare that to where Bo Nix is. But you also said John Schneider is the best GM in football? I mean, forget my guy, Brett Veach, Howie Roseman might have something to say about that. But more importantly than any of that,

because obviously you and your merry brand of, you know, friends in the media that are just convinced the Chief's 15 wins and third straight Super Bowl appearance was sign of doom, that's fine. I'll set that aside. where are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Colin? 11. How did the Tampa Bay 11?

You always say 11. Whatever I bring up the team, you always say 11. I feel like the bucks are a little disrespected. The Seahawks and Broncos are a little overly respected. And I might argue for, like, I'm surprised you didn't find room for the Chargers or the Bears. And so those would be my bigger gripes. like the Chiefs being, the Chiefs, Bill's, Ravens, Eagles, all are the four best teams in football.

We can argue about the order. One of those teams is not like the other with Denver and their Owen's seven record against good AFC teams last year, but we'll see how that works out. So I said on the Micah trade is that it was remarkable to me the pushback Dallas got because I watched Micah and Cid Lam and Dak get housed by the Packers in a playoff game and trail like 27-0. I've seen it.

And that was with a better coach. staff than this staff. So Green Bay needs a playwrecker, and that's what he is. The cakes built, he's the icing. Dallas needs players and flexibility. Were you surprised, or maybe you agree with it, the outrage and the negativity on Dallas getting two first rounders having four total in the next two drafts, oh, by the way, next year could be a exceedingly promising quarterback draft. I got it Dallas, did you? So this is one that I think you nailed more than most. And I agree, listen, I would not want to be in the business of trading Micah Parsons. I think the Cowboys made up, and I think you might agree with this, made a bunch of mistakes that led them to this place.

I would have signed Micah a year ago. If I was looking at it and said, hey, we cannot have CD at the top of market, DAC at top of market, and Micah at top of market, we're going to have to move off one of those three. Micah would have been the last one that I moved off of. So there are things I would have done differently.

But once they got to where they were, my defense of Dallas is this. If the breaking news last week, Colin, was not that Micah's traded. It was that the Cowboys signed Micah to the exact contract Green Bay did,

everyone would be killing the cowboys. Like they put themselves in a spot where no matter what they were going to be criticized. Because if you cannot pay Micah 47, DAC 60, CD 35, and say, and it's sure we're just going to be better than we've been the last few years when you haven't been good enough. So once they got to the place they were in, I understood the trade. Their hope, obviously, is that it is their version of the Chiefs Trading Away Tyree Kill. where you recognize he's a great player, but recognize you have other holes you need to fill. I don't like that they got to the place, but once they got there, two first round picks,

and in my opinion, a good player in Kenny Clark, it's not an overwhelming return, but it's fine. They just obviously have to hit on those picks. So I agree with you that once they got to this place, trading him was understandable. I don't like the process that led them to getting to this place. You know, so I'm watching Belichick, and we looked it up this morning. If you take Cleveland, New England, and that game last night, without Brady, Belichick has averaged 19 points in his career. And I've said this.

Andy Reid got to five NFC championships, Prima Holmes. Andy Reid won, got to the playoffs with Alex Smith. Andy Reid wins everywhere. I cannot be the only person that watches that game last night. think it's hard this is not aging well this is that this does not look good when tom goes to tampa and a little bit of a of a pirate ship off course and wins the trophy i do think this dings his legacy i i don't think the last several years helps at all well i agree with the last part it certainly doesn't help there's no argument that it helps now how much does it

hurt i i that i'm not ready to go there yet what i will say let me defend bend Bill and then give you my thoughts on last night. We all, all of us that were there for the first three Super Bowls recognize those were defense-led teams with an incredibly clutch, but not yet great quarterback. The final Super Bowl in 2018, Colin, they shut down Todd Gurley, Sean McVeigh, and a good Jared Gough to the tune of three points in the Super Bowl. Like his ability for 20 years in New England to put great defenses around Tom should not be overshadowed in how that team won as much as they did. So that part, no one can ever take away from him.

But the fact that we now, over the last half decade in New England, his talent evaluation was questionable. His coaching staff decisions were outright bad. His inability to ever get the quarterback position right outside of Brady, which is a big, yeah, but, because Brady is the greatest player in the history of the sport, that matters. And we've talked about this. The melding of his personal and professional life and the really odd decisions to keep that front and center, up to an including last week with the trade attempted, reported trademark of Gold Digger and other things. things. The only way that's going to be okay is if you continue being excellent. And not only were they not excellent, they were awful last night. And it also, to me, there was a lot of excuse making for a, I'm not writing the kid off, but a poor Arch Manning performance

because we were like, man, Matt Patricia's defense. Like there's just nothing a college kid could ever have done. Well, Josh Hoover looked pretty fine last night. against Bill Belichick's defense. So I don't think it was all that. I think it's also the personnel and the experience. But yeah, that is, Colin, I looked this morning, they're now projected to win five and a half games. Like they have three non-con games coming up

and then a game against Stanford and NC State late. But they're going to be underdogs the majority of the rest of the way. And that team doesn't look anywhere close to competing for anything significant. Yeah, the, you know, the Arch Manning thing, which you alluded to, I said, you know, I was driving in this morning, and I was thinking about, I never want to be too harsh. Yeah. But there's a difference between jitters and nerves and, like, not throwing more than maybe one ball all afternoon where you're like, oh, that was pitch and catch. Yes. It was off kilter.

He felt pressure that didn't exist. he missed multiple layups. Sometimes he faded into pressure. It looked about as bad as it could be. He's been with Sark three years, and you can criticize Sark. Well, that's the thing. Sark can coach offense and quarterbacks. We know that.

Listen, it's not everything, but it's not nothing. And it is, you then start looking with a finer-tooth comb at him versus the other guys who were, you know, in their college career being talked about as future number one picks. I understand his rookie year didn't go. These guys, by the way, haven't yet to be proven to be great pros. But Caleb Williams, the first time he ever played college football, as a true freshman, gets dropped into the Red River shootout, down two scores, and cooks.

And it's just unbelievable. Trevor Lawrence, as a true freshman, goes undefeated and beats Alabama in the national championship game goes 38 and 2. And again, you can say, well, what does that matter? Because those guys haven't been the pros, you know, Caleb early and Trevor through four years that we would have hoped. The point is, those guys had this type of hype about number one overall pick and immediately backed it up.

My concern for Arch going into the game was multi-layered. One is, it's not nothing that Texas last year decided Quinn Ewers was the better. option. Now Quinn's a great college player, seventh round pick. They're going for national championship. I understand that. But that's not nothing. Expecting Arch to cook against the national champion on the road in his first ever road game, that was curious. And then also, the fact that he didn't go to a football factory, went to a small school in New Orleans and had a nice but not overwhelming high school career. And then three years in, we haven't seen him play in a big spot yet. There were just a lot of reasons for me to believe this is going to be

tough on him. Now, I didn't think they'd only score seven points, but I did like Ohio State significantly in the game, and I'm not writing off Arch Manning on anything except for this. I do think we can write him off on this year's Heisman Trophy, not only because he now has a hugely high-profile bad game, but also because when you watch him. watched that, does it feel like he's about to rip off 10 straight awesome games? I don't. I know their next three, San Jose State, U-TEP, Sam Houston, he should be great. Then it's at Florida in the swamp and then it's the Red River shootout. Like, I think that, you know, his grandfather was like, Arch is going to stay for two years. And Arch was like, I don't know about that.

I think that's more on the board now than it was going into the game. And that's not an indictment, but it did feel like he was anointed without having accomplished in a way we hadn't seen recently in college football. Totally agree. It's good to be back. You know, I do enjoy working. I take some respites, but I do enjoy working. Listen, Colin, you are for 30 years, the hardest working man in the industry. And now you're the hardest working man in the industry September through May. And you know what? That's fine. There's no problem with that, bro. You have earned it.

I respect it and I love it. It's good to see you again. Nick Wright. My friend Nick Wright, first things first, which is added an hour. So that is great. J. Mack, we both had good summers with our families. That's what it was about. You and I decided, let's go have some fun this summer.

Oh, it was outstanding. Until I came back and saw you left the 49ers off the herd hierarchy? I mean, what a glaring error. I'm sitting over here biting my tongue. They're 12. 12? with the easiest schedule that the NFL has seen in a decade? I'm not putting in schedule yet.

Let's see what transpires. I think Seattle beats Seattle's a two-point dog at home. I love Seattle. I think Seattle is going to beat San Francisco. There are a two-point dog at home. Okay, well, you want to have a side bet? How about this? If the Niners win that game, you have to play a round of golf with me this week.

I'm busy. Oh, wow, that's disrespectful. Okay, fine. I'm out there deal-making. You think the Seahawks are the sixth best team in the NFL? The herd hierarchy is not a schedule ranking. It is your personnel, your coach. It is your acquisitions and free agency.

You lose Hufunga, Greenlaw. You literally went and got Robert Sala because you're like, we were bad defensively. You just lost two of your best defensive players potentially. Interesting. So Seattle lost their quarterback, Metcalfe and Lockett. No, upgraded at quarterback coordinator and hit on another two or three draft picks. I can't believe Seattle's a home dog in a division rivalry game.

The market is telling you that the Niners are way better and the Seahawks are overvalued. Make a side bet with me. It doesn't have to be golf. It doesn't have to be something to chew up your valuable time. Listen, you better hang out with me at least one night this week. Come on. I'll try to make time on Thursday. Oh, for the game.

We'll watch a game together. All right, there you go. You'll buy me food and drinks. Yeah. I like that. What's new? One more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week,

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I contend it was one play. Everybody knew he was good. But he was below 50 last year. When he did that jump backwards over a player, that got him to number one. Well, I think it might have been the 2,000 yards rushing. Well, everybody knew he was good. Not that good. Come on.

But to be the number one player in the national. football league. Well, I mean, listen, it's hard to argue when he goes to the Eagles and they make the leap and win the Super Bowl by a billion against the Chiefs. And he was awesome. It's hard to argue. I don't know about one. Remember this a few years ago when this ridiculous narrative that running backs aren't being paid and have no value? We saw through that. We were early on that. Yeah, it's just ridiculous. I mean, I've never talked to a coach or a GM. There are concerns about a second contract because it's the last player offensively that you can hit from any angle

and not draw a penalty. So you don't want to sign to a second big contract and he got a reasonable number. But it's like the idea that running backs were treated unfairly. Folks, it's a game of regulated violence. There are certain positions that don't, they don't last, interior defensive linemen. I mean, Aaron Donald could still play and he's like, yeah, I'm out.

It beats up my body. Like, we get it. Jay Mack with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Let's start with the athletic, Colin. They polled NFL coaches and executives around the league ahead of week one. This was a bit of a surprise.

The question was which quarterback you'd want to start a franchise with. The top three were obvious. Josh Allen, Mahomes, and Burrough. But strangely, number four, Jaden Daniels got double the amount of votes of two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. Well, he's viewed as better at this stage by a long shot in the pocket. Okay, at this stage. Colin, I just got to pump the brakes. We saw this with C.J. Stroud.

First year, off the hook. Second year. Nobody's talking about C.J. Stroud as a top seven quarterback in the league. Not after last year. And I, listen, there is some caution around the commanders and Daniels right now for this season. That defense got old. They were 20 of 23 on fourth down last year. There's no way they're sniffing that again.

No, I actually think the two underdogs this weekend that really interest me, Houston against the Rams, left tackle, and I think the Giants can give Washington, listen, that defensive front for the Giants is spectacular. Like, it is top two or three in the league, and what is the hardest unit to create chemistry and cohesion? Oh, lines. and nobody plays starting offensive linemen in the preseason. So week one, I think the Giants and the points are the play. Yeah, I'm with you. The line is coming down on that game. I do want to add, Abdul Carter is probably the guy we didn't talk about enough in the preseason.

He barely played, but when he played, he was like unblockable. Like I'm talking to an unstoppable force. I just can't get behind the Giants' season because of that schedule. You know, you saw this schedule. Listen, division rivalries. That's the first thing I look at with bets, week when a division rival that's capable is getting points. Seattle at home getting points against the Niners. Sounds like someone's almost got their, uh... Oh, I got it done, baby. It's already,

you got the picks in on... No, I've never had a winning week one. Who are you, Matthew McConaughey and two for the money? You've got your picks in on Tuesday. I've never had a winning week one. I started, was it last year or the year before 0 and 9? Oh, yeah. But I feel I've got my picks. All right, let's move on. Speaking of quarterbacks, J.J. McCarthy is the only quarterback from last year's stellar class who was yet to take a regular season snap he'll do that monday in chicago um you know we've heard a lot of noise about mccarthy a lot of negative some positive but t j hawkinson has chimed in saying he sees a little bit of kirk cousins and matthew stafford oh in mccarthy wow um i don't um you you don't see it at all no i have no

idea what I'm getting. I think I'm not saying this is Mahomes to the Chiefs, but to be able to get an elite left tackle, Justin Jefferson, a brilliant offensive coach, a revamped offensive line, the best defensive coordinator in the sport, that is your opening year

starting in the NFL. Now, it may not be as good as Mahomes who got Kelsey, Tyreek, Reed, and a mentor. But if you're looking at a a comp with Mahomes that got the coach, the protection, the weapon. Were they drafted almost the same spot? I think Mahomes was like 10. McCarthy was right around there.

Yeah. It's, my take on him is if he's not capable, if I don't get like 20 of 28, it's a warning sign. This is keys to the Mercedes. Don't run it into the local tree. It's so it's made to win. Let's slow your role. Remember, they had to just go get Adam Thielen because their receiving core was so decimated.

So expect a lot of... Jordan Madison's coming back. He is coming back. But expect a lot of bracketing of Justin Jefferson in the open or maybe straight up double team. This Viking roster top to bottom, top five. It's good. It's good.

Top five or six. In the NFC or in the league? No, I mean, I don't think it's Baltimore. I don't think it's Philadelphia. And then you can argue it is Detroit. So if you, and maybe we'll do this tomorrow, if you stack the skill position guys, The Kings versus Bears.

I think the Bears probably have them by an edge, Colin. Yeah, but if you go O-line and if you go proven offensive coach. The Bears got the guy from the Chiefs. Well, let's see real game footage. Let's see an all pro with the Bears. No, the Bears' O-line is improved. But I think Brian Flores is like Matt Patricia at Ohio State. I think Brian Flores is a secret sauce in that game.

Who you got, Kevin O'Connell or Ben Joplin? If you're hiring tomorrow. Well, I would hire Kevin because I know what he can do. Well, wait. Neither has a playoff win, so. Well, one guy, how many of the games the Minnesota win last year? A lot. I think it was 40.

Ben's never won a single game in the NFL as a head coach. Let's get a few reps in. Yes, that's probably fair. Final story, Collins, do college football. Listen, although we love a little trash talk. Oklahoma State and Oregon play this weekend in Eugene. I think it's a bloodbath. Ahead of the game, Mike Gundy, who is a lot of the game.

a mouthy coach, took to his radio show to criticize Oregon's NIL spending and should schedule, said they should schedule non-conference opponents with similar budgets. Well, Dan Lanning has chimed in. Here we go. If you want to be a top 10 team in college football, you better be invested in winning. And we spend to win, some people say to have an excuse for why they don't, right? And ultimately, like, he's a great coach. They've done an unbelievable job, but I want to be a team that's competing at the highest level. And we're really fortunate to be in that that situation. So I can't speak on their situation. I have no idea, you know, what's, what they got in their pockets over there. I'm sure UT Martin maybe didn't have as much

as them last week and they played. So we'll let it play out. By the way, Oregon recruits at an elite level nationally. Oklahoma State doesn't. So forget all the NIL stuff. Oregon has been an elite recruiter for a decade plus. All right. So Oregon's got unbelievable facilities, Phil Knight, momentum. They've had great coaching hires. So Oregon's a, next level program. Oregon's a top seven program in the country. Oklahoma State's not the best program in their own state. So I want you to try to guess

this spread, and I don't know if you can get within a touchdown of the spread. Of Oregon. Oregon, Oklahoma State. Is it? It's in Eugene. And Mike Gundy's talking trash. I would say 26. Oh, wow. That's good. It's currently 28. And I think

based on these comments, that Lannning is not going to call off the dogs in the fourth quarter. I think he puts it on them. I mean, I think Gundy's done a really good job, but Oregon, don't tell me Oregon's winning because of money. Oregon, in the Chip Kelly days, and they're to call off the dogs at halftime, Oregon's been winning forever. So the biggest spenders, if you're watching at home, Texas won, Texas Tech number two this year. That's why I love the Red Raiders. By the way, Texas lost.

Texas Tech one hand. Texas A&M never wins as much as we think they should. That Jimbo Fisher had a tough run there. Oregon, Ohio State, Miami in there, Michigan, which looked pretty good. I didn't like the looks of Michigan. You didn't think the young quarterback looked really good? I thought he looked good.

The rest of the team, not so much? I would be a little concerned. How about your Trojans? I don't think we've discussed. I mean, 10 yards of play? I hope. Sadly, I had to go to YouTube to see the highlights. Apparently there's some anti-USC

network TV bias. but I'll stand down on that one and you can fire away. Tennessee, I watched Tennessee play. They look pretty good. Hey, by the way, the Tennessee quarterback who played for UCLA, did you see how Nico did? Oh, my God.

First of all, Utah is the most underappreciated program in college football for 20 years. So, like scheduling, you get your first start and it's against Kyle Whittingham and Utah. By the way, half that stadium was Utah fans. Yeah. I was at a fantasy draft with a, UCLA guy who was tailgating at the game

and they said, oh, how did it go? He goes, the Utah game was terrible. He didn't even mention UCLA because they didn't show up. I mean, Colin, that was bad. Jay Mack with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by.

The Herd Line News. There was another moment in Belichick's loss last night that sort of stood out to us and we'll talk about that next. Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHard Radio app.

Hey, it's us, the Jonas Brothers, and guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, name? Huge news. We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to a...

We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's extra special. So how do we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. Well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down?

Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, where people could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy.

Not quite. Unhumor me with Robert 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 I-Heart Radio.

app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Jacob Kingston grew up in an isolated polygamous sect. We were God's chosen kingdom on earth. He felt destined for greatness. So when a swaggering Armenian businessman catapults Jacob into an extraordinary world, he doesn't look back. Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets, meeting the president of Turkey. I'm Michelle McPhee, and this is one of the most shocking criminal conspiracies

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Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you can. Get your podcasts. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo.

Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. SportsSlice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them.

Listen to SportsSlice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slic Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. The NFL regular season kicks off on Fox this Sunday as the giants take on raining offensive rookie of the year. Jaden Daniels and the commanders or the Niners take on the Seahawks or other regional action. The NFL's back Sunday on Fox. Giants, a live dog. Dogs are barking.

Yep, watch that D-front. Washington, a little high on the hog. I kind of like the Giants this weekend. And I'm lousy in week one, so you know, what do I know? So I did think it was kind of funny watching the post-game Bill Belichick comments with balloons and celebratory balloons around the dais. I think the first warning side, I talked about this before I went on a vacation, was 40 players from the transfer portal.

The transfer portal, can we be honest about it? It's a little like the junk food aisle at the grocery store. Now, there's some good protein bars. I like stuff in the junk food aisle. at the very end of it, you'll find a couple of protein bars, but it's not sound nutrition. And I think most of the guys you get in the transfer portal, if Georgia likes a player, he's not leaving Georgia.

Now, Miami went and bought CJ Daniels, the receiver from LSU, that kid's a baller. Like sometimes you just pony up the dough, Miami goes and buys him, or like Caleb Downs from Alabama, Ohio State buys him. But I've always thought it's got a little Bitcoin feel to it, little oasis, you know.

A little mirage out there. You're telling all your buddies you're rich. I don't know. You're still renting. I don't know. So my take on the transfer portal, LSU went big first couple of years, transfer portal. How to work for Brian Kelly. And I'm not saying he didn't have to.

Lincoln Riley went big. He had to. By year two, it wasn't very good chemistry. Belichick went huge. Dion Sanders has gone big. I am not a huge fan of the transfer portal. And I thought last night you were watching a veteran quarterback and a veteran staff, and the longer the game went, they separated.

It felt competitive for a quarter. The longer they went, the coaching and the players and the chemistry looked a lot better at TCU. Here was Nick Wright 30 minutes ago on Belichick's debut. His talent evaluation was questionable. His coaching staff decisions were outright bad. melding of his personal and professional life and the really odd decisions to keep that front and center. The only way that's going to be okay is if you continue being excellent. And not only were they not excellent, they were awful last night. And the other thing I think we, I asked

this question about a week ago. We know Belichick's the best defensive coach ever. We know he can build a culture. I do not think he has aged particularly well. But do we know that he's great at personnel? Where were there great players? Where were there very good players? I mean, the quarterback had one drive. Where were there very good players last night? And the other thing, I know Mack Brown can judge personnel, because I saw him go to Texas and build a powerhouse, and I saw him start Carolina and then go back the first couple of years. And they didn't have this NIL money. I know Mac Brown knows personnel. I watched the last

several years when Belichick, this is something me and Ryan Rissilla used to talk about all the time. I used to always say this. Go look at his last seven drafts when he took control of personnel. He and his dog in Nantucket controlling the draft. Find me the pro bowlers. Offensibly,

they had a punter. They just missed. And again, he was controlling the personnel, the system, the coaches. One of the reasons Brady left, They didn't have any good players. There was no separation. Brady chose Tampa because he looked at Chris Godwin,

those Mike Evans, the Interior O line, like great GM in Tampa. Tampa's always had talent until Brady they never got a quarterback. But New England, I mean, Mike Frable's taking it over. He had to go spend $300 million. They had no speed. They were small. They didn't have juice.

So I'm not sure college is all about coaches and their eye for personnel. Saban, great. Lane Kiffin, great. Mack Brown, great. Ryan Day has a good eye. I'm not sure that's a strength of Belichick. Also, NFL Network had their top 100 players, and Mahomes is five.

I'm okay with it. I think that's okay to say that he didn't have a tremendous year last year. It goes, Sequin, Barclay, Lamar, Josh Allen, Jamar, Chase, Patrick Mahomes. I would probably have Justin Jefferson higher than nine. But nothing bothers me here.

I thought the list was really accurate. And generally, I don't trust players' opinions on personnel. I didn't have a problem with it. Again, Derek Henry's a little high for my taste. Justin Jefferson's a little low. By and large, I bought most of it. I think I love Mahomes, but I think he got the best landing spot in league history. Think about this.

So he comes into the league, doesn't have to start, gets to sit and learn the system under the best coach in the league offensively, Andy Reid. Also as a pro bowler and one of the more grateful and gracious players in league history, Alex Smith as a mentor, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelsey are already pro bowlers. Right? So it's like he had multiple weapons, the best offensive coach, ownership stability, Brett Veach is a top general manager, and Alex Smith was there for a year to teach him the ropes. And then he, with that, took the momentum and became a star and deserves all of it. And he deserves credit the last couple years. They've been bailing water at wide receiver.

You know, I mean, they've just got Rishi Rice, six games, suspended. There's always somebody in trouble in their receiving corps. But, I mean, in fairness, to Mahomes, Tom Brady got a good start. best defensive coach ever stacked defensively did not have to win shootouts capable run game Dante Scarnacia

the Colts by year two as a starter got moved out of the division he could have had to face Peyton Manning for years you're not getting home buys at Peyton Manning's in your division so I mean Brady the same thing

now Brady took advantage of it but they're there I mean Lamar Jackson gets the Ravens Steve Bushati maybe the best owner in the league when's the last time the Ravens didn't have a capable roster. They take big swings, they draft and develop well. So, you know, generally if you want to be an all-time great,

you need early help. Magic got Kareem and Dr. Jerry Bus. Larry Bird got Red Arbock, and by, I think, one year after he was there, he got Kevin McHale. That's not to say Bird wasn't great. But Mahomes, when you're young, I don't care if you're an attorney. a landscape or a quarterback.

When you're young, you're getting molded. And I don't think there's ever been a quarterback. Maybe Marino with Don Shula. I don't know if there's ever been a quarterback who had more things set, moving, and headed in the right direction than Patrick Mahomes. And I didn't think he played particularly well last year.

And overall, I thought the list was pretty good. Albert Breer joins us next hour. Here's Andy Reid, by the way, on Mahomes. He feels comfortable with the guys and so that's a good part. He doesn't, you know, he doesn't let anything really bother him. He's just full steam ahead with a positive attitude. That's the thing I appreciate the most.

So I think he's even taking it up a notch this year, and he's really having ice camp. You can see he's comfortable with the guys that he's playing with out there. It is, it's never lost on me. Look at, something happens. in this country over the last 20 years. It got it sort of ignored the Midwest. It got very coastal. Look at the, look at the teams in the Midwest

right now. There's a lot of good football. Green Bay could win the NFC. Kansas City could win another Super Bowl. There's a lot, there's a lot of interesting stuff happening in the Midwest in this country. Would you be shocked by a Chiefs Packer Super Bowl? One has no owner, another one has a great owner. Hey guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Ken. And I'm Nick, and guess what?

We created our own podcast called Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it, but, you know. Tired and sick.

Tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL, late night comedy guy, not quite. On Humor Me with Robert Smygel and Friends, me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, S&L's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform?

We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to Humor Me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Last night, a blown call changed the game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where SportsSlice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline.

And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to SportsSlic on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slical Life 12. and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Winning on Clay is an art. The rallies are relentless. And at the French Open, only the toughest survive.

I'd know. I competed there for decades. Join me, Renee Stubbs, on the Renee Stubbs' tennis podcast for no-nonsense breakdowns of the biggest matches, the toughest players, and the moments that define Roland Garris. She's an outsider to win the French name. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lerabakina is arguably the best player in the world right now,

and I actually can win on any surface. Listen to the Renee Stubber. tennis podcasts on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. This is an IHart podcast. Guaranteed human.