The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Herd - Hour 3 - NFL grades

Episode Date: October 5, 2023

Former Cardinals QB Colt McCoy joins the show to talk about his career and his thoughts on Kyler Murray Colin gives his NFL grades so far this season    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

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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. On the Look Back at it podcast. For 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it.

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Find your local station for the herd at Fox Sports Radio.com or stream us live every day in the IHeart Radio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. 12 NFL seasons. He still wants to play. He's coached under played under Sean McVeigh and Jim Harbaugh and Brian Dayball, Mack Brown, Colt McCoy, Texas football was not the same

after he got banged up against Alabama. It was Vince Young, Colt McCoyne. It just wasn't the same for a long time and he's joining us live. So I will say this. You want to play. And you know, it's funny. I talked about this a couple weeks ago. there is, I believe, a classic backup quarterback.

I said this last year. So for Kyler Murray, it should be somebody that moves. You move, Josh Dobbs moves. Lamar Jackson should have a quarterback that moves because I don't want to have to reinvent the offense and you're going to use the backup unless you have Justin Herbert or one of these guys that doesn't get hurt. You're going to have it.

So is there a team when you look at right now and you think I would fit that team? Maybe. You know, I played 13 years, by the way. 13, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. No, I'd love to keep playing if the right opportunity came up. But I just think I'm so grateful for really, quite honestly, the 13 years that I did get to play. You know, I felt like I was in really good shape. I had a great training camp. And if the right opportunity comes up, you know, I'll be ready.

But I'm enjoying time with my family and haven't really had that much time in the fall. and years. So it's been fine. So there have been kind of three versions where Texas has been really good. The Vince Young years, the Colt McCoy years, and I think now, this O line, they got better players than Alabama. They pushed Alabama all over the field. It's like, no, no, no. And I think they're going to give Oklahoma real problems, ball control.

This game is one of the four or five seminal games in college football. You played in four of them. What is it like? Oh, there's nothing like it. I mean, it's the game that you circle on your calendar. Right as you get the schedule, you know, the fans are split right down the middle. It's at a neutral site in Dallas at the Cotton Bowl, which is just an iconic place to play. You walk down the tunnel, the OU fans are all over you.

You're hearing things that you don't ever want to repeat, and the grass is just perfect, and it's just the best setting in all of college football. And I was a part of it five times. I redshirted, you know, my first year and then played against some four years and had a pretty good amount of success. But, you know, if you are ranked or unranked, it doesn't matter. Like, this game is, it's going to be fun. It's going to be challenging. It's going to be a rivalry game.

You never know which way it's going to go. So, man, I haven't, you've been back to a Texas game in 14 years, 13 years. And so, like, I only get to watch it on TV, but if I have the opportunity this weekend, I may try to go. And this place, that place is going to be crazy. I can't wait to see it. So you were a very mature kid. Your dad was a coach. You came into Texas ready to run the whole show.

Quinn Ewers is really interesting. Big whip, big arm. Kid can sling it. NFL arm when he was 18. Didn't come in terribly mature. Didn't love the body. Very casual. Something happened.

And in the Alabama game, it's like, whoa. Okay, that's a whole different ball game. I don't know the backstory entirely, but being a Texas quarterback is like being a pro quarterback. Matt Liner at USC felt like a pro quarterback. I mean, seriously, it's like one of the two programs in the country, Austin and L.A. are like music capitals, food capitals, big market media. Talk about being the quarterback at Texas and how it can engulf, because it's engulfed a lot of guys in my lifetime growing up. Yeah, no doubt.

I think you nailed it. I mean, it's the only show in town, right? You're in the state capital. There's fans everywhere. It's a big school. Like, it's been a, I've been very fortunate to play four years there. And I think Quinn has made a big jump. I think last year he was just young, right?

He left high school early, skipped his senior year, went to Ohio State. Now he's back down at Texas. He's really only in his second year playing. He's still young. Like, he was the top recruit in the country, right? And I think you're starting to see all of that. He's got a big old. arm. He's playing smart football. I don't know that he's turned the ball over all year.

You know, through the ups and downs that, you know, he experienced last year through conference play and they weren't great. Like, he's taking that experience and really worked hard this offseason and kind of Sarks third year. Like, they've got a lot of momentum. And the guys around him are talented, right? You get two NFL receivers, worthy and Mitchell. You got a tied in that's probably going to be a first round pick in Sanders. The offensive line, is playing at a really high level. They run the ball effectively. Three running backs basically plug and play. And so I think if you're Quinn, you're just saying like, look, I've grown, I've matured, I've done these things with my body to get better. Like I have all the tools.

I don't have to mess it up. Let's just go out there and execute the offense and do what Sarks asking me to do and we're going to be just fine. I'm going to ask you some pro questions because you're one of these guys that has such depth of institutional knowledge of the NFL. So you are under McVeigh. If I'd never seen, and I love watching the Rams play, it's not just Stafford, it's McVe. When you have 13 years in the NFL, four-year college starter, high school star, when you went to McVe, your dad was a coach. What did you, your dad was a coach? What did you notice and went, all right, that's secret sauce? That's, that's different than all the other coaches.

What's Sean McVeigh's secret sauce? Yeah, Sean's incredible, man. We're the same age. So when I got to Washington, we, you know, we became friends. he had just been the tight ends coach with the Shanahan's. And then when Jay Gruden took over, he became the quarterback's coach. And so he was in the room with me for, I don't know, four years as the quarterback's coach and then, you know, bumped up as the offensive coordinator.

So I think for for Sean, like Sean just has a really, really deep understanding of all phases of football, right? He's coached the tight end position. He's coached quarterbacks. He understands defenses. He learned that, you know, with the Gruden's down in Tampa Bay, right out of college. That's all he thinks about. It's all he cares about.

He's been molded from the time he graduated up until he went off and took the head job at the Rams. He was 30 years old. So I mean, he just, and on top of that, like all the knowledge that he has of football, like he is a leader. He's a motivator. He can sit in front of a team and have everybody's attention. he treats everybody with respect.

There's no secrets about what's going on with him or his coaching style or the game plan. He can relate to everybody. He's closer in A's than most all other coaches. So he kind of rejuvenated my, you know, wanting and desire to play quarterback to play in NFL. It's been a little rough start. And, you know, I owe a lot of that to Sean. He just really kind of pulled me along and I learned a lot of football, a lot of X's and O's, a lot of Y. why doesn't this work? Why doesn't this work? Like he's super smart and intelligent. And I mean,

dude, he's one of the best. Okay. Now, the very quirky and powerful and dynamic Jim Harbaugh, who is, I've had friends on his staff. It's just a different animal. Now, I love him, and I think he's more important for college football than pro, so I hope he stays at Michigan forever. Now he owns Ohio State. I think they have the best team in the country along with Texas. You spent time with them, not a time. What was? similarly the, this is different, but this is, this is why this guy wins everywhere. What was his sauce? Yeah, I'll have to think back.

I spent one year with Coach Harbaugh and the 49ers, and he was great, right? Like, totally different style than Sean. He played quarterback, so he knew the position. He really cared about, you know, footwork and timing. And I remember just drill after drill after drill when I first got there. We got to fix your feet. We got to fix your feet. You can make all the throws, but like it all starts, you know,

about what kind of force you're coming, you know, bringing from the ground. Like just over and over, real detailed. But he had a different approach, right? Like when I was in San Francisco, you know, we had our quarterback's coach, Jeep, Chris, called the Red Zone. You know, Johnny Morton was really involved in all the past plays. And then Coach Roman, Greg Roman, did all the run games. So you kind of hearing bits and pieces.

of the offense from voices. And then it all came through Harbaugh's headset into the headset of ours on the field as quarterback. So it was a collective approach, and all those coaches were fantastic. I love playing for all of them. I think with Harbaugh, he just harps on the details, and we were pretty successful.

We ended up losing an NFC championship game. That was 2013. We were right there. But he was great to play for. A final question. I got two left. Here's one. And I know this is difficult. I've learned over the course of time,

quarterbacks come in all shapes and sizes and personalities. Small quarterbacks used to not get drafted. Now they do. Running quarterbacks didn't get drafted much. Now they do. Aaron Rogers can be pushed back on authority. Could be a mandate with vaccines. Aaron's going to push back on authority.

That's his personality. Brady was much more willing to be guided by authority. That's his personality. Russell Wilson is polished and refined. and Jay Cutler wasn't. Kyler Murray's different. Greatest high school quarterback, some say, ever out of Texas. He came out of high school as a rock star.

He was a rock star, a high asman guy at Oklahoma. He plays too much video games. He's aloof. He's blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. You were around him. I don't love everything about him. I've got good sources on it. Should I be concerned at all that I can trust him for four years, practice, game, commitment,

is he? Or is he just talented? Can you give me an answer on that? Yeah, Kyler is extremely talented, right? You nailed it. You know, never lost a game in high school. Heisman trophy winner, first pick in football, could have gone and played baseball as a first-run draft pick. Like, make no mistake, he's one of the most talented people I've ever been, probably the most. I think what people don't understand about him for whatever reason is he is a hard worker. He does care about the game. Like, he's super compelling.

whether it's, you know, we're throwing balls in a trash can at practice or it's in the game, right? I think I think right now is just kind of being a punching bag. Everybody's kind of talking, can he do this, can he do that, new coaching staff coming off ACL. Like, you know, he's a playmaker. He runs. I mean, just for me, I just, I mean, I would not hedge my best against him. Like, I think he's going to come back. He's going to be just fine.

And I know he wants to play. And, you know, but that's, that's for, like, he's going to know when he's healthy. Right, right. I enjoyed my time with him. I felt like we had a great quarterback room, lots of good conversations always, and you never really let the outside noise kind of come into our room and what we were doing.

Yeah, I think he throws one of the prettiest footballs in the league. It just comes out of his hand. It's Aaron Rogers. It is a beautiful football. Some of that's probably his baseball background, finally. So, okay, now it's a tough question. I know teams are calling you. Can you at least if I said,

you Colt, your agent's going to be ticked off. Who's the last team that called you? Come on. You know, I don't know if I can disclose that. I've talked to a lot of teams, and I'm humbled by that, to be completely honest. You know, I think for me as a competitor, I've played a long time. You know, my body feels good. I also know I came off elbow surgery, you know, like that's feeling a lot better.

But, you know, I went through training camp as the, took all the starting reps and you know it kind of got pulled out from under me as the season started and so I've just taken some time to kind of figure out like what what I want to do next and you know I think you know the weekends are hard because you want to be out there playing but at the same time um you know I've got a wife and four kids I'm enjoying my time with them and and just kind of being picky and waiting on the right opportunity okay I'm going to go 3623 Texas over Oklahoma I think they ball control it in the second half They found their running back couple weekends ago. 3623 Texas, what say you?

What do you think? Yeah, I mean, I think Oklahoma is a little, you know, blistered by last year, right? We'd be in 49 to nothing. And I don't think that they've liked hearing about that all year. But at the same time, I think Texas is better. Yes. Texas is a lot better than what they were last year. I think they're more experienced.

And I also think they play good and big games. So for me, you know, I'm biased, but I think Texas is going to run away with it. pretty good. Ooh. Ooh, I like that. That's smoke. Hear that, Jay Mack? This guy's not shy. He's not sitting on the fence, not waffling. The one thing I will say is when I was in college, Venables was the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma. And he was always the hardest got to play against. He always had, you know, random corner blitz or, you know, a zone pressure that I hadn't seen before and you don't have to come back to the sidelines. And, you know, he has an out, he runs an outstanding defense. So I know they'll have some stuff up their sleeve for Sark and for Quinn.

But again, like, I just think Texas is too talented. I think they're playing at a high level. And I think that they're just, they're just better right now. Yeah, I think they're going to control. I think their O line is just a handful, just going to lean on them. And after about three hours in that sun and that lean in, I think they're going to kind of pull away. Colt McCoy, absolute pleasure.

Great seeing you again. Best of you and your family and your four kids. They're at a great age. And congrats in your success. Hey, thanks for having me on the show, man. That was fun. All right, Colt McCoy. He wouldn't tell us who wanted. He'd be getting calls, though.

Yeah, 3624, Texas. Texas is good. I told you yesterday, if Texas ends up with Michigan and the national championship, that's going to be a big boy NFL number. That's going to get a huge number. Big brands. I've got a great parlay for you this weekend.

Thanks to Draft King Sportsbook. New users use the code heard. R-D when you download the app. Let's have some fun. My parlay picks of the week via Draft King Sportsbook. I'm going to take the Eagles minus four at the Rams. The crowd will be 60, 40 Eagles anyway, a semi-home game. They're undefeated for a reason. I don't know how the Rams offensive front matches up with the Eagles defensive front. I'll take the Eagles minus four. I'll take the Jets Plus 2 at Denver. The Broncos last week had some offensive success because they played the Bears, step up in class, best defense they've faced.

Zach Wilson righted the ship a little even though they lost. I'll take the Jets plus two. Cowboys plus three and a half of the Niners, I'll take Dallas. Listen, defensively, opposing quarterbacks have a 55 passer rating. Niners are better, especially in the red zone offensively, but the Cowboys have the better quarterback, offensive line special teams, and a little revenge, I'll take Dallas. If you want to take the herd parlay, check out Draft King's sportsbook, new users use the code

H-E-R-D-Hard when you download the app. 21 plus in most eligible states, but age varies by jurisdiction. Eligibility restrictions apply. Gambling problem, call 1-800 gambler. In New York, call 877-8-8-Hope-N-Wire, or text Hope-N-Y-4-67-369. 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 The podcast Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth.

Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way,

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

of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space. For honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me, or you're just chasing down a dream,

this is right where you need to be. Listen to The Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking.

What the hell does George Bush got to do a little kill? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know.

I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. so I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you for finishing that sentence. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history.

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. J-Mac with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line. news. Our staff does such a good job getting timely stories, so something's happening in Pittsburgh like in the last 15 minutes.

So the Steelers coaching staff, obviously a lot of criticism for the poor offensive performance this season. O.C. Matt Canada has been one of the main targets. Fans have called for him to be fired, but Najee Harris, the running back, pushed back at the critics and defended his coaches. The coach is only a coach. In a day, we got to do what you have to do. And I mean, I see everybody talking about.

this coaching stuff about the play calling of a bread like do y'all know how football work coaches only could coach but we got to execute the plays like we're not trying to point the finger at all this is not the time to do that either this it keeps me in a conversation to be brought up like or not even a conversation brought up but things that's just talked about so much it's crazy like we have to execute at end and day no matter who's back there calling the plays you know i mean like we're not we're i honestly say that we're not doing that right now not coaches it has coaches. It's just players. We got to, we have to play better. I got to firmly disagree with that well yeah. I mean if it was just on players then no coaches would get fired because you

mean like you'd have far fewer coaches be fired if it was just players. Matt Eberfluse has struggled figuring out his defense and his offense. They've got some that offense has players. Not saying they're the chiefs or whatever but they've got players. So people have broken it down and you know some of the numbers online are staggering like when they're when Pittsburgh's in Shotgun, they're passing like 92% of the time. Very predictable. And it's like when he's under center, it's a run, like very basic things. He's not disguising his offense.

Another level to this is if you watch Houston Pittsburgh this past weekend, as I did because I had Pittsburgh like an idiot, the crew, the CBS crew said Matt Canada told us that this offense is not built to come from behind. And of course, everybody's freaking out about that. So Canada just now addressed the media and was like, that's not accurate. I didn't say that. he's getting to the point where he's defensive for a reason. Colin, I just, I think Pittsburgh has a buy the following week, okay?

If you're going to fire your offensive coordinator, during the buy week is probably the smart move. Well, they also play a division rival, don't they? This is must win against Baltimore. If they lay an egg, they're moving off Canada. Is that fair? I mean, if they look off, if they score, lose 3,130, you know, maybe it's an argument. But Baltimore's getting healthier. If you've seen the injury report, a lot of their guys are practicing.

thing this week who've been out. It's a big game. Now, let me ask you, if you're Pittsburgh, do you want Kenny Pickett there at like 80% were in a knee brace, or do you want Mitch Trubisky as your starter? Mitch Trubisky, probably. I don't know.

I wanted to take Pittsburgh. I would have said Kenny Pickett last year, but we have new information, which is Pickett with this O line and this OC, has regressed badly. Yeah. I wanted to take them in the contest. I don't know if I can, man.

Let's move on to Devante Adams. who has expressed frustrations with the Raiders. He's gone off a couple times about not wanting to wait around while the team figured things out. However, he has reportedly set on playing for Vegas long term, and he's excited about rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell. Now, it appears as of this moment that Jimmy Garoppolo has not gotten out of concussion protocol,

and it doesn't look like he's set to play as of now. Now, things could change, but it looks like Aidan O'Connell may be in line to start Monday at home against the Packers. And Green Bay's had extra time to prepare, have they not? Thursday game. Yeah, they played Thursday. They got their doors going off. It's an interesting game, but Green Bay with extra time to prepare against a backup quarterback.

I thought Green Bay's defense has been feisty this year a little bit. Yeah, Aiden O'Connell looked bad against the Chargers. They could not block Khalil Mack. I don't know why the line is so low here. I like the Packers Monday. Let me ask you, Jerry Alexander played with Devante Adams for years in Green Bay. Went against each other in practice. Who has the edge there?

Adams knowing what Alexander does or the vice versa. Well, I think receivers are what they are. I think what corners are always looking for, like poker players, is tells. And I'm not saying a receiver can't see a tell. But every receiver, including Jerry Rice, had things they'd rather do and angles they'd rather move off of. And I think Jaya has probably seen every one of Devonte's abilities. so I think when it like Lattimore and Mike Evans they play each other twice a year

I like I think a receiver always wins when there's an element of surprise if they're both great athletes but if I get to play you eight times as a corner I kind of know what you like after about three meetings yeah so I would say and by the way devonthe I love Devonte I think he's unbelievable but I it feels like to me the advantage would go to the defensive player because it's like knowing you play a guy at poker 12 straight night, you kind of figure out his tells. So are the Raiders good? The Raiders are a very interesting offensive team with one unbelievable defensive player. Spoken like a true politician. Are the Raiders good, Colin?

Not right now currently. What win is against Denver? I know. Which looks like a, I mean, looks bad. Final story. Week 5 kicks off tonight. Bears and the commanders. Bears looking for that elusive first win. Ibrahim, Fluce, looking to keep his job. Justin Fields. Hey, man, Justin Fields was lights out in the second half against Denver,

or sorry, first half against Denver, except for that play right there. We got them back in the game. Six-point dogs in Washington, we've given the numbers, the trends, and they don't just bet trends. They don't bode well for Washington overtime game. Yeah, I don't have, I get that what you're saying, but they're at home and it's minus six. If it was minus three, I'd take Chicago. That's a big number for Washington. I don't know. I just, I don't trust.

I think the Washington commanders are significantly better than the Chicago Bears. But you're playing on four days. It's an overtime. And that's a big number. So the last time, this is a pass to me. Sam Howell was favored by anywhere, anything, was against Arizona. They did not cover at home in the opener. Arizona has proven to be a solid, plucky team.

Yeah. I think it's Bears or Pass here. You can't bet Washington favor by six, can you? Sam Howell favor by six? I can't. But it wouldn't be surprised if it's 27, 20, and they won. I think Chicago's probably the side here for me. Better storyline for this show.

Chicago wins. Oh. And Job is saved? I thought you were going to say the opposite. Bears lose by 20 and Irberflutes is fired. No, if Justin Fields plays great, and now we got some debate on our show, we're not a debate show, but now it's like, hey, Justin Fields, last couple of weeks. Maybe there's something there.

Yeah, Denver and Washington. Well, I mean, Washington, come on, give me a break. Outside of the game against Buffalo, who steamrolled Miami, Washington's been pretty damn competitive. Beat Denver on the road, took Philly to overtime. Take the Buffalo game out.

Buffalo blows out Miami regularly. They blow out New England regularly. Like, Buffalo is the Mike Tyson of this whole weight class. When they're on and the matchup's good, get out of the way. We have to done a lot on their game with the Jags, I think it'll probably come up to more. Well, it's in London.

So? It can be on Mars. Still like Trevor Lawrence and Josh Allen, top tier quarterbacks. Tier one guys? Both. Yeah, you know, clearly. Hey, back with the news. Well, that's the news.

And thanks for stopping by. The Hurd Lie News. Some grades. A report card with some NFL teams next. One more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day, 7. days a week within the IHeart radio app. Search heard to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like.

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 and what may have occurred into the dugout, maybe in the 1980s. It's the Book of Joe podcast. 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. Yeah, well, there are no boundaries, right?

Listen to the Booker Joe podcast on the IHeart radio app, on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth.

Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what 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 conversation. 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. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people.

I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at It podcast. I'm Sam Jett. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill waxing all about crack in the 80s.

To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack all day, but just so you all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack, so I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now, so... Thank you for finishing that sentence. Yes, I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really?

Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years. years from black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Make sure you play this week's Fox Super 6th. Free to play game. Download the Fox Sports app and enter for free for a chance to win your share of $10,000 in weekly prizes. All right, J. Mac, how about a report card for some of the teams?

I want to go a little report carding. Are you giving me the choice or are we doing it? We're doing it. All right. You ready to go? Sure. All right. Here we go.

Report cards. Here we go. Grid iron grades. Let's start with a hard one. What grade would you give the chiefs this season? B-plus. So there's 3-0 with Kelsey and Chris Jones. But Mahomes is on pace for career lows in virtually every category.

So there is a concern. He's getting good protection, too. There's concern that the offense, a little bit of smoke and mirrors right now, very dependent on Travis Kelsey. What grade would you give the L.H.R. This season? A strong C plus. They've won back-to-back games in their offense.

Justin Herbert, by the way, 71% completion percentage under Kellynne Moore. And they lead the NFL in sacks. So, but their defense is now the worst in the league and the worst past defense in the league, and they just lost a corner to New England. They moved him. Addition by subtraction. So this team can blow leads faster than any good team in the league. What grade would you give the Denver Broncos this season?

Defense is awful. On pace for the worst total defense in the history of the league. But they didn't beat the Bears. I mean, I'm serious. It's on pace. There's been to bad defenses as the worst in the history of the national football. How much of that is inflated by Miami dropping 70? We'll know in about two more weeks. Well, great would you give the Buffalo Bills this season. A. Lost of the Jets. Can't be an A plus. But their NFL lead in takeaways, sacks, Josh Allen now taking the short. completions, not just playing Superman, and I think they have a more dependable run game. I think there's an argument of the best team in the league. They've done this before early, but they're doing what they always do defensively,

pressuring the quarterback and taking the ball away. But now I think they're a more refined, dependable, consistent offense. All right, let's go to the Miami Dolphins. What way would you give them this season? A-minus. Listen, they got blown out by Buffalo, who I think could be the best team in the league. They lead the NFL in yards for play with eight. Gamblers love that stat.

But they don't have Jalen Ramsey yet. But I would say this. It wasn't just that Buffalo moved the ball in them. There were big gaps in their defense. Like people weren't where they were supposed to be four or five times in that game. So like, come on, guys. Let's get the – and that's Vic Fangio. It's a new defensive coordinator.

But I thought that defense would worry me a little bit. All right, the toughest one than New York Jets. What grade would you give them this season? I'd give them a C for this. They beat Buffalo and they play hard. I mean, they lost, come on, they lost the Kansas City. But their defense, it's a little worrisome. It was number four.

Now, it's number 23. Now, some of that is, you know, Mahomes going to move up and down the field a little bit. I still give them a C, and I like him this weekend against Denver. I would call for a parent-teacher conference if it would be. What grade would you give the Houston Texans this season? I know they're two and two, but considering the O-line injuries and a rookie quarterback, I'd give them an A-minus. Dude, this could easily be a few, if I told you,

rookie coach, rookie coordinator, rookie quarterback, four offensive linemen out. And they're two and two. And they just hammer the Steelers. I think they're one of the great stories of the year. Do you know, CJ Stroud is on pace to beat Andrew Luck's rookie, like yardage, Mark, with an off, well, both he and Luck had no offensive line to work with. But CJ has been this early and with these online issues and with a rookie coordinator, pretty remarkable. All right, let's go to the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles. Great.

I know they're undefeated B-plus. I don't think they played that well. Honestly, and they did beat the Patriots, Vikings, Bucks, and commanders. So I think the Rams are real challenge. It's a step up in class. They're on the road. They're obviously, they have dynamic players. I mean, A.J. Brown there, J. Brown there, J. J. I just don't think they're playing very well. I think they miss Shane Steichen. I think it's a team that lost a great coordinator and it's trying to find its way, but they're four and up.

All right, Dallas Cowboys, grade them up. Solid B, laid an egg in Arizona, can't be an A. But they're lousy in the red zone offensively. 19-trip seven touchdowns. That is a concern. I think that's what costs on the Niners game. They're not a good red zone offense. I don't care who you blame.

They're better between the 20s because they got C.D. Lamb and D. can move a little bit, but they're just, they're not very good in a, in a clustered space. When details matter, they haven't been very good. San Francisco 49ers. A-minus, I don't think their defense is as good in the red zone as it has been. I think situationally, they've been a little off defensively. But they have the highest graded player in the NFL at four different positions. So I think they're the most talented team.

And again, the defense does not allow big plays, only nine all year. But again, this is a situational. league and in the red zone their defense, just not as good as it was under Damico Ryan. L.A. Rams. Solid B. Little mistake prone at Cincinnati. They gave that game away, but they are number four total offense and number nine total defense. It may be a reality check this week. I'm not sure if Cooper Cups going to play. I think you would have taken two and two without Cooper Cuck. Oh my goodness. I think everybody would have taken that. And I think in the room, I think McVeigh is an early candidate for coach of the year.

Way too early for that, but you're not wrong. What about the Detroit Lions? Good solid B-plus. Defense, what's wrong with that? How are they not at A? Well, they're leading the NFC North. Chicago and Green Bay, we don't think are very good. Beat the Chiefs?

Without Kelsey and Jones. I will say the most encouraging thing. 12 sacks in two games. So that, I don't care. don't know if their defense is good. If you get to the quarterback that much, it's going to make your defense look way better than it probably is. So they're getting heating the quarterback. Finally, the Chicago Bears tonight, Thursday night football. How are you great in them? D-to-D-plus. They should have, they should have, they had their opportunities

against Chicago. But my problem is, what are they great at? Defense, no, coaching, no, quarterback play, no, O-line, no. They're not, at least Denver offensively. You can say, well, in the first half, their offensive efficiency is great. So why are they not an F? Well, I don't like giving out Fs. I like all kids to pass. See, you're the most lenient teacher ever. I wish I had you a history teacher in 11th grade. My gosh.

Did you flunk? No, I never failed it. What'd you get? I probably fail some tests, probably. I got okay grades. I was more focused on sports and girls. My kind of guy. Priorities.

Same here. Not that I did well at either of those either. Greg Kosell, Colt McCoy. Thank you to both for stopping by. We'll see you tomorrow. Live in Los Angeles hits the hurt. 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.

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. Clifford Taylor the 4th.

You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Cliford Show. This is a place for raw, unfills of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve

to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clivert Show on the I-Hard 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. This is an IHeart podcast, Guaranteed Human.