The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Herd - Hour 3 - Get the QB right!

Episode Date: October 2, 2023

More teams need to get the QB right and pair him with an offensive minded coach Thoughts on the Steelers poor performance over the weekend   Guest: T. J. HoushmandzadehSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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It's Howard 3, the power hour on a Monday live in Los Angeles. It's the herd wherever you may be and however you may be listening. Thanks for making us part of your day. We could have a story. I have a feeling there's going to be a story that breaks in the next 36 hours. You want to give us normal people a hint? as to what's going on? Okay, so I just told you right before we went on the air.

Just keep looking that name up. Don't get, I don't want to say anything until it happens. Is it bad news? No, it's not bad news. He's a big time football player. It's a big time football player. Just throwing it out there. It's not Travis Kelsey and the Swifties.

It's not one of those things. It's not Mac Jones. No, that's, I've said my thing on Mac Jones. Yes, I will say. So there's two games I want to talk about here, and they were big games yesterday. So, you know, I understand, like when NBC has a game or Fox has a game or CBS or ESPN or Amazon. The announcers, you know, your announcers want to be positive and this is amazing.

And so you're not going to get a lot of, you know, criticism during a game because they have to deal with these teams on a week-to-week basis. But it is interesting. Like this morning, everybody's like, you know, the Jets played and Zach Wilson is what? You lost. The Jets had Kansas City there for the taking and lost. I don't know if Robert Sol is the right. guy he's incredibly passionate and he has created a defense that gives even Patrick Mahomes trouble.

I like that. Chicago's defensive coach and the Chargers defensive coach, they can't even get their side of the ball right. So Sala's got his side of the ball right. That's encouraging. I don't expect the defensive coach to be McVeigh and Shanahan and Andy Reed with offense, but you got to be like, you got to get your side of the ball right. So Sala's done that.

So I'm not going to blame Sala for this. And Aaron Rogers got hurt. I'm going to not blame him. don't think Nathaniel hack it. I wouldn't have made him the O.C. But if that's the way you get Aaron, it's the way you get Aaron. But I'm watching that game last night. My takeaway is, who is the better team early?

Kansas City slam dunk. Who was the better team late? Zach Wilson fumbled. Mahomes took it for seven and a half minutes, drove down and toyed with the Jets. Where's the positives? That fumble by Zach Wilson is why you moved off him. He makes too many big mistakes. You can't make a mistake on that play.

That's a simple snap. What are you doing? So, and then Mahomes takes it over and, you know, you can say, well, the officials, don't worry about the officials. You're at home, make plays. That was a pass interference call. You can't be grabbing and clutching guys and moving them out of their routes. That's why the NFL came in and said, no grabbing guys in the first five yards. So in the end, once you blame officials as a sports better or a fan, you lost the argument.

Nobody wants to hear that. The league is not rigged. I can assure you that Mahomes went to a Super Bowl and got blown out by Tom Brady. It's really not. they've lost games, but Mahomes did what Mahomes does. He quickly worked down the field when the Jets needed to get a stop they couldn't between running with Pacheco, who's just a fascinating young player, late-round guy, and Mahomes running around and manipulating the Jets defense.

When you needed a stop, Mahomes toyed with you, and when you needed a big drive, Zach Wilson fumbled. So I know you want all this positivity, but that was there for the taking. You're not going to get a star quarterback to play that bad in the middle of the game and you had it. A couple of picks, could have had three. I mean, to me, all this kind of inauthentic, oh, you played hard. Zach Wilson's not the guy.

That's why Aaron's in the building. You've made the decision. Zach is not your future. What do I give a rip if he plays well and loses? You've got to win games here. Now, the good news is the Jets go to Denver and I think they're going to beat the Broncos. That's the good news as long as they keep their esteem high and the energy high. I think they're a better team, frankly, than what I see with Denver.

I think Zach may end up having another pretty good football game. But when you get down 7-0, don't tell me how great Zach played. And when you fumble late in the game, don't tell me how well Zach played. Who gives a rip about the second quarter? Like you were over your skis early, fumbled late, Zach Wilson after. Critical situation. I can't have a play like that. I cannot drop the ball.

This team is sacrificing a lot. You know, guys were making plays. Defense was making plays. O'Line was protecting. The receivers were making plays. And to be driving right there and to drop a snap, you know, I cannot do that. You know, I lost this that game and I cannot do that. Yeah, he did.

Listen, Mahomes does what Mahomes does. But all this positive vibes in a hole early, fumble it late. Defense 724, Kansas City manipulates, drive. down the field. It's not a good night. It's a bad night. And you've already made your decision on Zach Wilson. You're moving on. That's why Aaron's in the building. The other game that's fascinating, offenses can often be ahead of defenses in September. You know, Andy Reed historically has been great in September. Why? Defenses aren't used to tackling. Starters aren't playing in the preseason. Offensive coaches scheme all offseason. Sean McVeigh, Pete Carroll, Pete Carroll didn't know what

was happening in that first game up in Seattle. Usually offenses, the weather's better. You know, offensive guys, quarterbacks, receivers, tight ends, backs. They go work out in the summer. Defensive guys, how are you going to go work out in the summer? Tackle each other? I mean, like, what do you do? So offenses are usually ahead of defenses, and Buffalo got caught flat-footed in

week one. Their offense is amazing. The problem in this game, both offenses early were amazing. The issue for Miami is they can't make stops. of all the good teams in the NFL right now that we consider sort of Super Bowl contenders, Philly and San Francisco and Kansas City and, you know, throw your teams in there, Baltimore, whoever it is, all of them have the defensive personnel to win a game that way. And I don't think Miami does.

And this is with Vic Fangio, who's as smart as any defensive coordinator in the league, and they still can't make stops. And so it's disturbing for Miami. Yes, they're magical. They're doing all this motion. They catch everybody flat-footed. and they're going to score a lot of points in a lot of games. But against New England and Buffalo defensive coaches,

they've scored 20 and 24 points, so it's not quite as pretty. It doesn't look quite as shiny and amazing. And as a season gets later and people have film and they see tendencies and the tackling gets better, offenses usually come back down to earth in mid to late October, November, and December. And I think Mike McDaniels,

who's like the most humble guy in the world, talked about the blowout loss. to Buffalo. I think the Buffalo bills proved why they are the the team that our whole division is trying to beat. They've won up for how many years in a row now. I would be lying if I was pumped about anything from our team today. You know, I think the National Football League is a very humbling game. And if you're not on your stuff and you're playing a team that is, this will happen. Let me just say this.

I do think I was listening to a local radio show in LA last week and they were talking about our Caleb Williams topic. Like if Caleb Williams, if you had to be a GM in the league, what quarterbacks wouldn't you trade for Caleb Williams? And they listed quarterback, quarterback, quarterback, quarterback. Something that we just have to acknowledge that matters in a very regulated, violent sport is size matters. The three quarterbacks or four quarterbacks in this league, I would not, would not move

off of regardless. Are Mahomes, Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, Trevor Lawrence. They're all really, really big. Lamar Jackson's great, been hurt a lot. Jalen Hertz is smaller, doesn't quite look as good without his top O.C. And that the thing that is so clear with Josh Allen is he's just a better athlete than anybody Miami has defensively. They don't have an answer for him.

He's like he's Cam Newton, but a better thrower of the football. He's, he's big bend, but more disciplined, I think better with the line of scrimmage. Is that in the end, the size matters. Justin Herbert yesterday got crushed, crushed twice out of bounds. Bounce right back up. Is that when you're talking about great court, now, Mahomes is not big. He's six two, two, 25, but that's Aaron Rogers size. We never think about his size.

He's trunky. He's thick. hits, he can play hurt. But when I watch Josh Allen, my takeaway is if you're talking about quarterbacks of the future, small guys and spindly guys can be good. But the guys I'm not moving off of are Mahalms and Josh Allen and Justin Herbert and Trevor Lawrence. Those are big, big athlete. Matt Stafford's a pretty big guy. He got whacked yesterday, hobbling all over the field. And I think Miami's problem is Josh Allen is better than anybody they have on defense. And by the way. Pittsburgh's got a defense. San Francisco Phillies. There are defenses that can put people

and make Josh Allen uncomfortable, but Miami can't solve Josh Allen. I don't care who the DC is. I mean, against the dolphins, including the playoffs, 39 touchdowns and seven picks. I'm not even counting the running. His passer running at 109. They just don't have the personnel. They don't have the dudes. So I go back, you know, we talked about Caleb Williams last week, that, that, what would you give up for Caleb Williams? And, oh, by the way, all those Pittsburgh fanboys were taking shots at me, but after watching Kenny Pickett again, you wouldn't give up three first T.J. Watts and a good receiver for Caleb Williams?

Because you're garbage. Pittsburgh's offense is garbage. You think three first round picks, a pass rusher and a receiver, you wouldn't have a quarterback who's a better version right now of Mahomes in college? Look at your franchise now with Kenny Pickett. With a defensive coach, you're not going to get. get the best offensive coaching. So say what you want about this thing. We had seven blowouts yesterday. The quarterback is so valuable. If you can give me a six, five, I mean, I love Burrow. He's been

hurt now four times, and I love him. Been banged up four times. He's not big. He's not a great athlete. He's been banged up four times now. And you start, yesterday, Burrow took a couple of huge shots. And I'm sitting there thinking, is he getting up? I never, Justin Herbert got him. by Tillerie. The Raider, it used to be a charger, defensive lineman. That would have knocked out half the quarterbacks in this league. I mean, it was a devastating shot. Justin Herbert, up, ready to go. So this Caleb Williams stuff is going to be very interesting.

All outside of the four big dogs, I mean, the big guys and the great guys. And that number is tiny. Yeah, the Pittsburgh Steelers fans are not thrilled with the T.J. Watson. Listen, I love T.J. Watt as much as the next guy. One of the best defenders right now in the league coming out. He didn't impact the game at all. At all. There's games where you can double team and scheme him out.

Think about this. Even as good as the Steelers are. Three draft picks, one whiffs. Right? Like everybody knows, if you get three first round picks, you never hit three home runs. It's very rare. Pickens is a receiver.

He's worth not a point a game. T.J. Wads probably worth half a point a game. Caleb Williams would be worth six to eight points a game if he's as good as we think. It's just math. Stop falling in love with defensive guys and edge rushers.

The only reason the Chargers are winning is not Bosa. It's not Mac. It's Justin Herbert. If you don't get the quarterback right, I don't care about your coach. I don't care about anything. The reason the Rams are good this year. Because Stafford has played and mostly been upright, and he made a half a dozen throws yesterday that were like,

he made a couple early. I was just like, whoa. Like five guys on the planet can't make those throws. There's a lot happening with the Bears right now. They're 0.4. They have the Panthers pick and they're 0.4. and I saw a stat that's in the last 21 years, teams that start 0 and 4 have gotten the first pick 15 of the 21 years.

Okay? So 0 and 4 means you're headed to the top pick. The Bears could have 1 and 2. Okay? And Iber Fluse right now is under major heat in Chicago. I think they're big underdogs this week against Washington on Thursday night football. You're telling me, if you're Chicago, you bring in Caleb Williams at 1 and Ben Johnson, the O.C.

How do you know Caleb Williams wants to play for them? I'll just keep your eye on that story. Well, we were on the Arizona stuff earlier. You're saying no on Chicago. No, I'm just saying. Just saying. Get a coach. When Caleb Williams came out and said, you know, I want to have a choice where I go,

that was a direct shot at Arizona and the Bidwells. He's watching the Chicago mess. You got to clean it up. You better clean it up. If I'm Caleb Williams, this staff? No, they're done. They're out. Ben Johnson is probably the guy or just find someone.

Ben John. Listen, it ain't the city. I love Chicago. Going there again in two weeks. I love Chicago. You got to get Caleb Williams. You got to get him an offensive coach. Bang on Matt Nagy all you want. He got Trubisky to the playoffs when Aaron Rogers was closer to his prime. Now, how about this? And Kirk Cousins was closer to his prime. Listen, if they get one and two, do you trade two back to get a haul or do you just take Marvin Harrison? We got Caleb, we got Harrison, and we got an offensive coach to the moon. I would take the quarterback. Harrison's very good. I don't think receivers their issue.

I think what it is is personnel. I'd probably trade that. Harrison is so good. It's hard not to take him. He could be there at four or five. You could get, for that position, though, you get five picks. Someone wants Drake May badly. They'll move up to second.

Exactly. So, yeah, they slide down. So to me, at one time you get the quarterback right in this league. I mean, Jacksonville's doing a lot wrong. The chargers are doing a ton wrong. They're all beat up. Last two weeks they've won because of Herbert. get the quarterback right.

Everything else is commentary. Yeah, and to the people who are screaming, oh, soft West Coast guy going to the Midwest, Caleb Williams is from Washington, D.C. Knows the cold weather over there, like, settle down, Bears fans. No, but I mean, it's like I got a buddy

sent me something about Pittsburgh fans. Coward would give up three picks. Your offense is embarrassing. You can blame that, Canada. You blame whoever you want. You can't get the O line right in five years. You would not do that. the math. What are those picks worth? Zero points. What does picket worth? Zero points a game.

What is Watt worth? Half a point to a point. A great edge rusher gives you a point. A quarterback? What is Herbert worth to the Chargers? At least a touchdown. At least. Aaron was worth 11 in his prime. Mahomes, to me, is worth to his backup? Like that wins above replacement? Who's his backup? A good backup. He's worth nine. A terrible back. Rogers now was like seven, when he came out, Zach Wilson came in and the line moved significantly. Folks, get the quarterback right. Everything else is irrelevant. Get the quarterback and hopefully the offensive coach right.

I mean, Belichick's a genius. They just got routed. The game was over in eight minutes. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. On Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeard Radio app. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque.

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

A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes,

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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 taun tons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to Stuff to Blow Your Mind on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. All right, T.J. Hushmanzada, we got all sorts of good stuff today. So I want to start with something. Houston Texans aren't really a brand. I mean, the college football team, Texas Longhorns,

are a bigger brand than the Texans. But you told me, keep your eye on C.J. Strout. So you train all these guys. You train receivers, backs, quarterbacks. So you work with C.J. Stroud. I'm struck by his, the comp was Jerry Stroud. Gough with a little more mobility. I'm struck by his

professionalism and his ability. He can clearly see the field, which a lot of guys don't see it for years. You're not surprised by this? I'm not, I don't train them. I'm just out there with him and we develop a relationship. The first time I knew CJ was going to be a star, he wasn't even in college.

It was COVID, and we're just trying to find somewhere, try to find a field where we can continue to train. And he's on his way to Ohio State. And we're out in Long Beach training. This dude was NFL guys, college guys. This dude was so accurate in high school. Like ball on the money to everybody. But the way he treats people, Colin is unbelievable, man.

Like it'll be a nobody. And he'll make that nobody feel like he's important if he approaches CJ. he's just a good dude, a really good player. But yeah, I sat here and you said, who would I draft? I said, CJ, and you were like, really? And it's just the accuracy, the size, people are going to gravitate to him because the way he treats him, the way he makes them feel. He's just a natural-born leader. Yeah, and D'emico Ryan's, I was told this last year, the Niners staff thought he was as good as any young coach in the world.

They were like, so, I mean, basically D'emico, you start looking at the quarterbacks he's given trouble to. Lamar Jackson had a little trouble with him. Kenny Pickett was overwhelmed. It's like obviously Demico, and by the way, the Niners' defense this year is good. It's not as good as it was last year. So they may have themselves a gem as a coach, but C.J. Stroud's been great. Another player you know, so the Rams beat the Colts. And it's unbelievable.

Puka Nakua is setting, he is smashing records. A fifth round receiver from BYU. You're aware of him. I can't believe his ability to manipulate eight corners. Jonathan Vilma talked about this during the broadcast. He looks like Larry Fitzgerald, like above the shoulders. The way he uses his body, the angles. First of all, he's got great hands. He's physically big. He's hard to get an angle on. Are you shocked by, I mean, we're all shocked a little by this, right? Everybody is shocked. Now, I trained him for the combine

and got him ready for months and months and months. What'd you make of him? Anybody that says, oh, he's playing well because I trained him. No, you go get somebody that can't play. You're not going to make him play well. Puga can play. Puka was a top recruit coming out of high school. Yes, he was. And committed to USC, end up going to U-dub.

Number one, he has the best receiver coach in the league in Eric Yarbrer. That's no question. Rams have a great young staff. Rahim Morris and Yarborough are great. And so did I expect him to do this? No. But a little cockiness, I trained him. I expect him to play well.

giving an opportunity because we're not just going over the physical aspect. We're going to talk coverages, fronts, what ID in the mic means, how to sit in zones. We go over everything. It's not just, okay, let's work on press releases. Let's work on top of the route, which is very important. But we're going to go over football. When you see this zone, this is what this guy needs to do. This is what this guy must do.

We can just sit here. The route can be average. Catch the ball, settling zones, and we'll be fine. What Pooka's doing, I didn't expect him to play this. I expect anybody that I work with to play well. But when you make the most of your opportunities, you are going to be given more opportunities than Puka. Right now, he's a top five receiver in the league the way he's playing.

There's no question. And if they say he isn't, hey, Puka has played so well that when Cooper Cup comes back, the Rams have a good problem. Seriously. He is just hands, physicality, routes. you can watch him set up. Young receivers don't set up corners. They're just trying to get open.

He sets up people. Now, here's another one. I find this amazing. So the NFL decided about 10 years ago, you can't play defense like the Ravens did. You can't grab hit. Like they literally looked at certain teams and went, no more doing that. So it's an offensive league. So the value of quarterbacks, yesterday we had seven blowouts, mostly good quarterback against

bad quarterback. It's like college games. So I said this last week is I have such high regard for Caleb Williams. mostly because, A, I've watched them, and B, every exec I talked to in the league is like, this kid's different. He's better now than Mahomes was as an age, like significantly better than Mahomes was. And I suggested last week, I think J. Mack and I did. I said, I'd give up three firsts, T.J. Watt and Pickens for Caleb.

And that got pushback. It's like, folks, T.J. Watts amazing. He's maybe worth a point a game. Caleb, if he's 75% of Mahomes, is worth six. what do you make of this? What would you give up for Caleb Williams? Now, we know certain teams aren't. Chargers like their guy, Chiefs like their, Buffalo.

But if I said to you, you're the GM of Pittsburgh. And I said three number ones, T.J. Watt Pickens. Would you do it? I wouldn't do that. What would you do? But when you say T.J. Watt, people, wait, wait, wait, T.J. Watt, because he's such a star, that's a non-starter. But when you, let me answer your question. I would give up T.J. Watt.

I would give up George Pickens. I would give up two first-round picks. Not three. Not three. Not three at all. And the reason I say that is, the Steelers have always done a great job at drafting that outside linebacker rusher and receivers. And receivers.

I mean, you just go back years and years. Does Steelers draft outside backers and receivers very well? They just develop guys. I mean, you go back. Mike Wallace, A.B., Emmanuel Sanders. and the guys they have now pig is Deontay Johnson. They just draft receivers well. Joey Porter, James Harrison, who was a free agent,

Bud Dupree, T.J. Watt, High Smith. They just do a good job with that. And so if you can get a quarterback that's going to play 15 years, why wouldn't you? I mean, to me, it's like, folks, I think Pittsburgh's this defense. How many sacks T.J. Watt have yesterday? Yeah, none. And so, and that's no, that's not on T.J. Watt,

but if you're the Steelers, it looks as if Kenny Pickett is. not going to be the answer. You have to find a guy that is the answer, but you got to get an offense coordinator. I like Matt Canada. When he was at LSU, I talked to him a few times. Recruing guys.

Not working. It's not working. I would be surprised by tomorrow if they don't announce somebody else is calling plays. Okay, so this is an interesting one. So Greg Olson disagreed with me. Three defensive coaches drove me crazy yesterday. So the one that Greg Olson

disagreed with me is that Justin Fields has taken so much crap that on fourth and one tied, I would have kicked a field goal to give Justin the league. Make some feel good walking off the field like, yeah, we're winning. All week. So if you kick a field goal and you lose, you can blame somebody else. But he had his best day. He gave you a lead. Hey, my fault of defense.

But when he doesn't go for it, now it's like, and first of all, you defensive coaches, give your star the ball to get the yard. So I didn't like this call. Greg Olson says I would have gone for it. Would you have gone for it? I'm probably going to kick. If I'm on the offense side of the ball, I want to go for it. But the right call is to kick the field go because you're a defensive coach.

Now you're going to earn your money. You're a defensive coach. You kick the field go. You go up 31 to 28, I believe. And now your defense has to make a stop now. You haven't been able to stop Denver the whole second. That's the concern. But you are a defensive coach.

This is why you got the job. Earn your money. Okay. I have the same feeling. I love Justin Herbert. We can show that video. They went forth and fourth and one. Now, to their credit, they gave Herbert the ball, which I'm fine with.

The play with Chicago, like, really? That's the play you're going to run? But the Chargers, they did give it to Herbert. But deep in their territory, they go for it. They lead by a touchdown. They can't block Khalil, They have one timeout left, and it's a backup quarterback. I don't go for it.

A rookie quarterback at that. So to me, I'm punning the ball. This is what Brandon Staley does. This is him. I know. This is who he is. He's true to his brand. You go back to last week.

They go for it on fourth down. They don't get it. Keenan Island comes out and says, man, we need to implement this Philadelphia Eagle, Jalen Hertz, pushed the quarterback on fourth. They do. So that's what they implemented this week or last week in practice. That's the play day run.

It doesn't work. Now, the defense had been playing well. They could not block Calil Mack. Callow Mac was unbelievable. Six-sacks couldn't block him. But this is what I think is going to happen moving forward. Two weeks in a row, they go for it. Two weeks in a row, they don't get it.

Two weeks in a row, the defense has made a play to win the game. So now I believe Brandon Staley will say, my defense is kind of saving me. Let me now stop being as aggressive because my defense two weeks in a row has basically saved my butt. Oh, he'd be fired if he lost both these. The defense has come through two weeks in a row in both instances where you really could make a point.

Just punt the ball. Okay, here's the third defensive coach, Ron Rivera, with Howell, Sam Howell, with Washington. So you're a 10-point dog, you're on the road, you're in Philadelphia. I don't want to go to overtime. I have no interest going to overtime. So Hal drives down, they get a touchdown, they trail 31.30. It's a great play by him.

You got the defending NFC champs on the ropes. I got no interest going overtime with the second best quarterback on the road. I would go for two after this. When you are the underdog, the majority of the time, you go for two. Thank you. And I read where Ron, Rivera said the offense was gas, they were tired. All right, it's called time out.

I mean, it's only two and a half yards. It's not like where they run into. And so everybody, every team, we all have three, four, two-point plays. You practice every week. So Friday and Saturday at practice. Saturday you walk through, but you go over these two-point plays all the time. Gassed or not, whether you execute or not, we know exactly what to do. in any situation because you rep them so much over the course of the season and you never

really run them. And so that was his reasoning. Oh, the offense was gas. But when you are the underdog on the road, you might as well go for it because probabilities the best team that is the favorite is going to win in overtime. And also at home, it's always harder on the road. It's harder to hear. Communications worse.

You had to travel there. Again, I don't want to feel like I'm picking on all these defensive coaches. but in all three. Now, Greg Olson talked me out of one maybe. But in these... Which one? Well, he said Chicago, if you get a first down, the game's essentially over and my takeaway...

We all know. But... I don't trust that all line. If you get a first down, the game is over. But if you are going to present that play, come on. If anything, let's run power with Justin Fields. So now we have an extra blocker.

Let's run power with Justin Fields. Yeah. No. And that's what Greg said is, you got to... And this is, world gives the Chargers credit. Last week, they went to a backup running back. You've got to give your star quarterback, or if you have a star back, let him get the play. Chicago lost yards on fourth now. They lost yard. They got no push. I don't like the play.

Like, if you have an athlete like Justin Fields, give him an option. If you're not going to run power, let's get on the outside, run a sprint right option. He can run it or throw it. Majority time, they're going to play man to man. That's what you're going to get. Like, no creativity, no motion, no anything to make guys eyes being the wrong spot. It was just, we're just going to overpower you and running up the middle. By the way, Buffalo and Miami, do you think less? I mean, first of all, Miami in three, four years, they can't stop Josh Allen. Like, they just don't have enough good dudes.

He is insane. Do you think less of Miami? Are they a September football team when the weather's good, the tackling's bad, that are a track meet? do you think anything less of Miami after they get shelled? I don't think less of them because when you score 70 points in the National Football League, divisional opponents know you very well. Josh Allen is pretty much owned the Dolphins. They haven't stopped them before years.

Now, when they know you're thriving on the big play, good coaches are going to take that away. they're going to take that away. What they did to Denver is really crazy that you just let them big play you to death. Good coaches are going to take that away. If Tua can stay healthy, I still like Miami's chances. Everybody's not going to be a Sean McDermott.

Everybody's not going to play defense the way the bills play. Belichick and McDermott basically said no freebies over the top. So the best coordinators in the league. Yeah, and they said no freebies over the top. We think our pass rush will disrupt to it and give us a shot. The difference is one has Mack Jones and one has Josh Allen. Miami hasn't stopped Josh Allen in four years.

They just have no answer for him. Nobody has really stopped Josh Allen stops himself. Nobody stops Josh. He beats himself when the bills lose first week of the season. If he plays sound fundamental football, nobody stops him. T.J. Hushman Zada. It's week four, I kind of feel like I do feel like after four weeks, I kind of know what everybody's close to doing.

It seems that way. I'm still hoping that Cincinnati can turn this around. I have no idea what's going on. I really felt like they could compete for a Super Bowl this year. So everybody did. It's so baffling. By the way, Burroughs still getting the you-know-what kicked out of him. It's so surprising if that's the case, we got to leave extra guys in the block.

We have to leave extra guys in a block. I allow the Tennessee Titans. Let's max protect. Two, three-man routes, and let's go. Like, they got to figure something out. He can't continue to get hit this way, but they're not putting up points. We got to score. You got to score.

Like I said this the other day to somebody, if I was Zach Wilson, I'm throwing Garrett Wilson, 15 targets a game in single. I don't care, Garrett, I'm coming to you be ready. You're talking to Mar Chase, you mean? So, no. So now, Joe Burrow, we got to get Jamar Chase 15 targets. Every game. T. Higgins got to get 10 targets every game. If I

lose, I'm losing going to my best guys. That's just what it is going to be. It has to be that way. Because now you see Jemar Chay's getting frustrated. Yeah. That's frustration setting. That's when it starts to unravel. That's frustration setting in. That's Dave Wonstadt said you can lose two in a row,

three you start losing guys. When you start losing games and guys aren't getting the looks they feel they should get, I don't care who you are. they're going to practice on Wednesday. You're angry, you're mad, you don't want to talk to the coaches. They sense it, they feel it. And so it's an uncomfortable feeling because they're not going to say anything to you

because they feel if they do, you're going to go off on them. And they don't want to see the rest of the players see you do that to them. And so they have to tread lightly and be careful. Feed them the ball. Your best players got to bring it home for you when you're struggling. Good stuff, buddy. Appreciate you. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd.

Weekdays at noon Eastern 9 a. Pacific. What do you get when you combine a three-time manager of the year at a three-time national sports writer of the year? It's the Book of Joe podcast. Hey, this is Tom Verducci from Fox Sports, MLB Network and Sports Illustrated. And I'm Joe Madden and we're going to be around to talk a little bit about managerial decisions, playoff games, and what may have occurred into the dugout, maybe in the 1980s. I can't wait for this, Joe. We're going to dive into what goes on in the dugout and behind the scenes in Major League Baseball. Cars, whined, whatever else we want to talk about.

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Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show.

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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 Tontons and Wampas on the Ice Planet Hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to Stuff to Bole Your Mind on the I-Hart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Show's sponsored by BetterHelp. Therapy can bring out a whole new you, and BetterHelp makes it easy to match with a licensed therapist. Get 10% off your first month of online therapy. B-E-T-E-R-H-E-L-P dot com slash her J-MAC patiently waiting and now delivering the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Why don't we start with the USC Colorado game? I didn't see a ton of it.

I had, obviously, soccer. I was watching it on my phone, but USC was blowing this game out. What was it? 34-7, 41-14. Two great quarterbacks. And then USC defense goes to sleep. Alex Grinch taking some heat. Colorado covers, but does not win.

USC gets the dub. I don't know. Shedur Sanders, 262 yards, three touchdowns. But they were just playing catch-up. I don't know. Is the bloom a little off the rose for him as an NFL No, I feel in his throw.

I think he's really talented. I don't think they have a very good offensive line, and USC always gets a good pass rush. I think the story here is that Lincoln Riley, all great coaches have friends in this business. Sean Payton's got friends, and Belichick's got friends.

friends. What happens when there's a friend on the staff and he's not holding up his end of the bargain? The defense is no better than last year despite much better linebackers, much better front line defenders. They're bigger. Tackett, the freshman linebacker is going to be a freshman All-American. He may make second, third team All-American. Mason Cobb's going to play on Sundays, the linebackers, Bear Alexander. They got better personnel. They've gone back to the inability to tackle. They're a terrible tackling team. So to me, it's like at some point, it's on you if you keep doubling down on something that's not working. Like this defense is a hundred-third. It doesn't have the 100. And by the way, you haven't played Oregon yet. UCLA,

Washington. Washington's so good. The schedule gets sign. This is the easy part of your schedule. This is what hurts. Stanford. It really hurts because Georgia's not playing well. the SEC. Okay, Alabama does not look particularly good. Michigan looks excellent. Yes, this doesn't appear to be a two-team SEC playoff. Right? So the door's open for somebody from the Pack 12 to sneak in,

and I don't know if the defense is going to get it done, Colin. That sucks, because we need more, sorry for saying sucks. We don't say that word of my house. We need more Caleb Williams come playoff time. Right now, this defense could not stop Washington. That's hopeless. And you're not going to score as much against Oregon. They got too good of personnel.

I think they're the third best team in the Pack 12. That's not great. All right, next up, hey, speaking of not great, Mack Jones benched in the third quarter by Belichick when they were down 31-3. Belichick did say after the game he will not change quarterbacks and that Mac Jones is the guy. I don't know how committed he is to that. With Patriot team faces a New Orleans defense that's good this week. Now, they got him at home.

We know the New Orleans offense is just very, very bad. we'll see what's up with Judon and Gonzalez. If those two are out and the Patriots lose this game, it's DefCon 1 in New England. Well, one of the better bets the week is New England off a humiliating big national TV loss. It's a coaching mismatch. I would take New England. What's the line?

I haven't seen it. You know my favorite. Washington off a humiliating loss played well. Denver off a humiliating. Yeah, I mean, I look at the teams that got blown out this week. There were six or seven. New England will play pretty well. Watch Miami.

Yeah, you don't want to face... Oh, Miami's at home against the Giants. Yeah, so take the... My takeaway is the Dolphins and the Patriots will play... Okay, how are they? We'll just for fun. Let's guess the line. Patriots at home against the Saints.

At home. We don't know Gonzales and too, Don. Okay, I would say they're a one-point favorite. Very good. One and a half most shots. You're saying that's easy money. I would take New England. Humiliated back home.

I don't trust Dennis Allen coaching mismatch. What's the other game? Miami Giants. Well, the Giants played a night. Giants played a night, so we'll see what happens. I would take Miami at nine and a half. Wink Martindale likes to blitz. That's an annihilation.

That's another 50-year-old. You know me. I hate giving up anything over like six points. I took the Patriots yesterday. So did I. You know. I had a rough day. My worst week of the season.

How'd you do? Not good. One in four in the contest. I'm very upset. I have not made a bet this week until you told me to bet the Jets. And I did that during the coach. Ask me how I did. So, final story here.

Week 4 wraps up tonight with the Seahawks taking on the Giants. Seattle undefeated at MetLife winning all five times they played there, including the Super Bowl. I don't know. It looks like the line just moved to two. Andrew Thomas, the left tackles out, but that doesn't mean much against the Seattle defense. The Seattle's defense isn't great. It's young. Is Sequin playing?

I can't imagine that he's going to be bad. I don't have a huge feel for this game. I don't. Now, when Western teams go east, if they get an extra day like Seattle did, I think that's a huge advantage. It's also a late night game. Well, the Giants have extra, extra time playing Thursday against the Niners. So generally, if an offensive coach has extra time, they whip up something pretty clever. I'd probably take the Giants.

Seattle's defense is not good. No. Past defense has struggled because they don't have a pass rush. Usually if you give an offensive coach extra time, day bowl with extra time, they whip up something. And they give the element of surprise. They take a lead. that's just, yeah, that's what Sean McVay did in the opening week against Pete Carroll. He just, he was reeling.

They couldn't quite, you know. This is Gino Smith, Daniel Jones quarterback back. I think I would take the points and take the Giants. That is my guess. So if I texted you at like 6 o'clock, I said, Cowherd, let's go play tennis instead of watching this game. No, I got to watch it. I'll watch it. I don't think this is a must-see TV.

It is for me. I'm a sportscaster. It's my lead tomorrow. I mean, you can have your phone and have the game on. I got to watch the table. I got to sit down and bat. You got to lock in. Hey, no cocktails, total clarity.

Not for game day. Yesterday I sat home all day and made myself linguine and baked salmon and sat and with chips and sat and watched 10 hours of football. Why do you think I take Fridays off in the summer? You had no life in football. Wow. So anyways, how did you do on the Blazing 5? 4 and 1.

I think I forgot. You guys, do how I did? So you rebounded from the 0-09 and 1 start, huh? Yeah, I did. That's good. You don't need to mention that. Just say I was four and one. Okay.

I already know that I already picked two games for next week. I'll tell you, I like watching football. I really like it when I hit all my picks in the year. You're like, McConaughey and two for the money where he's on a heater. And then he's like, I'm going to go play golf. And he's like, I need your picks. He's like, on a Monday, sure, here they are. Just fires away picking the whole board.

So you love the card this week already? I'm just telling you New England off a blowout loss. I'll take New England. Okay, so what is that? And Miami. Small play, big play, college tuition, fun for the kids? I bet 50 bucks a game. not somebody out there throwing money away.

By the way, you know, we didn't talk a lot about this. J. Mack with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Hurd-Lyne News. How about Drew Holiday to the Celtics? I mean, Dame made Milwaukee better than Boston, and then I think Drew Holiday makes Boston better than Milwaukee.

Chess move. Four guys. I do. I think Boston's the best team in the East now. Do I need to mention James Hardin was supposed to show up today for the Sixers and he no-showed? This is going to get so ugly. Joey. Joel and Bean, not happy with what's going on?

They're not a championship team. It's over. We've got to stop pretending. They're doing the same rinse and repeat. Same nonsense every year. Same nonsense every year. Do you think I can have a Sacramento Kings-ish pick this year? Remember last year? I told you about the Kings. They finished third in the West. They'll win a series this year. Okay. What about, but give me the surprise team who comes out of nowhere to be really, really good. I like Cleveland, but I don't know if it's out of nowhere.

They were like a tough high scene. Well, they lost in the first round, though, didn't they were the Knicks? So I think, I think, I'm, I think Cleveland's got a lot of talent. They're just, it's baby steps, but I think Cleveland will win a series. But I think, I think literally Milwaukee jumped over Boston. Boston just spent the weekend jumping over Milwaukee. I think Boston wins the east now. I really feel strongly about it.

Boston's going to the finals. And then it's Denver and Phoenix. No Lakers? Come on, old guys. It's the herd. See you tomorrow. 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. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all,

embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to and learn the hard weight with your feet. favorite therapist and hosts Kear Games.

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