The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Herd - Hour 3 - Title chances

Episode Date: August 21, 2023

More on the Denver Broncos and how HC Sean Payton is handling QB Russell Wilson How close are teams to winning it all this NFL season?   Guest: Mark SchlerethSee 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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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, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes.

Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of tauntons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule. of two. Listen to Stuff to Bole Your Mind on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening to The Heard podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to 3 Eastern, 9 a.m. to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd at Fox Sports Radio.com or stream us live every day on the IHeart Radio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. Now let's get this party started. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio.

Show sponsored by BetterHelp. First month of online therapy. Get match for the licensed therapist. 10% off. You join today. B-E-T-T-E-R-H-E-L-P.com slash heard. BetterHelp.com slash heard. Mark Slareth is spending time at his childhood home in Alaska.

I bet you it is just magnificent and beautiful. He was a big high school stud. Then he went to Idaho. And now he's a big Fox sports guy. And look at that. Boy, for anybody that's never been to Alaska, now is a real good time to go. It gets a little dark, a little early in the winter, Mark, but it was, the summers are unbelievable, are they not?

It's the most unbelievably unique place on the planet where, you know, you can walk out of your front door at 11 o'clock in the evening and still have beautiful, just bright sunshine. And it is just, it is gorgeous. The kids are up here fishing, and we're spending a little time with my father who just turned 84. This is the house I grew up in. You can see the reflection. The sun's out. It's reflecting off the window behind me. I was trying to do this outside, but you know, your technical people got all goofy about, oh, it's going to pixelate, you know. So anyhow, all right, let's start with this. You very popular morning show, Mark Hose, in Denver. I thought, for all the Russell

Wilson is washed, I thought he looked thin, elusive, quick, and I thought Sean Peyton, saw it and said, boom, that's enough. Get off the field. I thought it was one of those moments. In that drive, I thought, okay, I've seen enough. We're going to be fine. I really felt it was a moment of we're going to be fine here. Russell's going to be fine.

Because I think a lot of people, Mark, thought last year he can't run anymore. And I watched them and I thought, oh, no, he's still quick. He's outrunning linebackers. That was my takeaway on what I saw. Your thoughts? Yeah, I thought that whole take last year was ridiculous that he had been walking athletically.

He wasn't the same. We all tend to, as time goes on, lose a little bit of athleticism, but Russell Wilson is still plenty athletic. He lost that weight like you talked about. He's dropped about 15 pounds. Looks incredibly quick, really fit. You know, and ultimately, Sean is, you know, working through trying to figure out,

hey, what does he do well? And you've seen some things over the course of preseason. You know, the deep drops off of seven-man protections where you're 11.5 yards deep. and you're throwing a lock route. I mean, you're just driving the football. Arm talent-wise, he's great. He's great on the run, great movement-wise, throwing the deep ball. There's some timing things and some routes that, you know, he still is working through,

and they're going to figure out exactly what he does well, what he's not great at. And I think all those things, I think all those things are coming together for Sean Payton in this offense. And I think Russell Wilson, I really do. I think he'll have a huge bounce back year for the Denver Broncos. we were saying this about Jordan Love in 18 dropbacks in the preseason. He has faced zero pressures. And between Matt LaFleur, offensive young smart coach and his protection, Mark, it should. It may not be Mahomes, but it's really set up.

I said earlier, Mitch Trubisky made the playoffs in this division when he had an offensive coach and that one year for Chicago, that a pretty good line. I don't know how good he's going to be. I'm watching their games. He's got, Green Bay just does O-Lines right. They've been doing O-Lines-Rite since FARV. I don't know. What do you make it, Jordan, love after two preseason games?

Listen, I'll go back to last year, and I went back and studied him when he got an opportunity a couple of years ago to play, and it was against the Kansas City Chiefs, I believe, and he just looked bad. And I go back to a conversation I have with Aaron Rogers about practice squad stuff, or not practice squad, but, you know, the look squad. getting the defense prepared, where Rogers had a talk with Jordan basically saying, hey, man, that's where I learned the off-balance throws, the off-platform throws. That's where I developed as a quarterback, and I took it upon myself to go out there and torch

our defense, our starting defense, when Farr was the quarterback. And eventually, the coaches see it and say, hey, wait a minute, why is this guy not playing? And so it was one of those things Jordan Love did a great job last year. And you go back and look at the games he got to play in last year when Aaron Rogers was out. And Jordan Love was exceptional in those games. So, you know, a lot of it is just growing up, maturing, learning the offense. And like you talked about, LaFleur does a great job schematically with the system, keeping you off, keeping you on schedule and making sure you're not in third down and long situations

where you can be, you know, you can be really good. You can keep that whole offense open. We've got a nickel run package that the defense has to, you know, have to look at it. When you're in third down and seven plus all the time, and the defense just disregards. We'll play the run on the way to the quarterback, but we don't really care. You know, when you are in, when you are in phase or you are on schedule and you were third down in four minus four or less yards to go, now the whole playbook is open to us as an offense. And that's going to take a lot of pressure.

off of a guy like Jordan Love, and that's one of the things the Packers do really well. All right. C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young. They don't have the protection that Jordan Love has. So you've watched their throws. You've played with young rookie quarterbacks. You know, what are you looking for? What do you see with those guys?

By the way, Bryce is going to be NFC games. You'll probably get one of those games. What are you kind of looking for for young quarterbacks? Well, I think in today's game, obviously, with all the RPO stuff and all the, you know, the zone read running game, it really adds a layer of productivity to the quarterback, but also adds a layer that the defense has to defend. And so it creates a lot of singular throws. And what I mean by singular throws is it creates a one read option for the quarterback. So now what you're reading is you're faking that handoff to the running back, right? you're reading that mid-level defender, that linebacker or that safety that's down in the box.

And if he bites, now we've got a slant, you know, we've got a slant behind that linebacker or behind that safety. And that's the only guy we're reading. So if he bites, we throw it. If he doesn't bite, if he gets off and takes pressure or takes depth, gets depth and takes that slant throw away, they call it a glance route. Then also you just hand the ball off. So it's not necessarily going one to two to three in progression, but it's reading one guy. Does that linebacker suck up?

Now I throw it. Does that linebacker give ground? Now I hand it off. And so there's a lot of stuff that goes into that RPO game that really takes some pressure off that quarterback of reading multiple layers or multiple levels. And then you add athleticism to get outside. It really becomes a lot easier to transition in today's NFL for young quarterbacks than it was. Like in my day, for instance, when none of that stuff existed. So, and one of the things I saw was C.J. Stroud is he just did a lot better job of being on time

and being balanced throwing the football from week one of the preseason to week two of the preseason. So, you know, J. Mack has said, sell the farm on the Giants. And I've said, okay, they've got a star weapon and Darren Waller. They've got a great left tackle, good defensive front, excellent offensive coach. Daniel Jones doesn't lose games. He threw five picks. And so I do think in the NFC where you'll be doing your games, if you don't lose games, you've been on offenses.

They didn't all have L way. If you have an offensive coach, a great left tackle, one star weapon, maybe two, great defensive front, I don't think the Giants making the playoffs was a fluke. I just think they kind of have one way to win. And they did a lot. what do you make of the Giants? You'll do a game this year.

Daniel Jones, you saw him the other night. Look, Chris, what do you make of them? You know, I think, one, you mentioned the coaching. I think the coaching, not only with their head coach, but Mike Kafka, they've done a really good job of understanding what Daniel Jones is, understanding his strengths, leaning into those strengths, mitigating some of the weaknesses that we had seen in the past. And as you get more and more comfortable with those things and that athleticism and that. bootkeep game and some of those things that they do well and that run game that they lean on tremendously in the play action that comes off of that now we start adding to the menu you know it's like that restaurant that you open up calling that only has a one like it has four things they make and that's it

and as you get really good and people become familiar with that stuff now what do we do we do we put an add a second page to it right and now we've got you know that we've got five more appetizers and three more entrees and all that kind of stuff and that's what you're going to see with the Giants. Plus, I think, you know, I look at Waller, I look at Bellinger, who they drafted in, I think last year, who's a really good young player. Now all of a sudden you have personnel packages. They went and got Campbell from Indianapolis. Hodgins really, you know, really shined, the kid they took from Buffalo a year ago, really became a kind of a focal point to that offense, really become a real good offensive player. Like, I just look at them right now with

that running game. Some of the weapons they developed. And now, with all the different personnel packages they have that they didn't have a year ago, I kind of see the evolution of the next step to this offense. I think the Giants, I think the Giants are one of those sneaky teams that everybody just feels like they snuck up on people and they're going to fall off the map. And I see a team that's much improved. Their left tackles become a stud. I think the right tackle is actually, yeah, Neil is actually going to become a really good player.

I was impressed with him last year as a young player. So I just think that they're moving in the right direction. And what's their GM's name, Joe Shane? Yep. I think they've done a really good job of understanding what they are and kind of building blocks. You know, they put a foundation together in regards to that offense. And now they're building blocks around that thing. They're starting to build, to me, a really solid, repeatable offense for Daniel Jones.

Yeah, I like that. See, you and I agree on that. Mark Schlarith and beautiful. What part of Alaska, by the way? I'm a South Anchorage up on the hillside in the mountains right here, up on the road. I tell you what, it's absolutely gorgeous. I'm looking to wrestle a bear later.

I've had a couple of bear chase me through that backyard behind me right there as a young kid. You know, they always tell you, and it's absolute garbage. They always tell you, you make yourself real big and scary, you know, and throw the bear, you know, when you see a bear coming at you, you run. That's what you do. Like it's your natural human instinct. And I don't think the bear was trying to eat me.

I just think you wanted to play. You know, he's like, hey, what are you doing? But you're, you don't turn around and go, come on. Put your dukes up, Mr. Bear. No, you just as fast as you can.

That's what I would do. Mark Schler, that's what I made pro bowls right there. He had to, you know, sweet block of bear in his backyard in Alaska. That's how he got so good. Mark, great seeing you. Exactly.

Likewise, Colin, take care. I'll take some pictures for you and send them along. I know you will. I want to see them. We were talking during the break. Thanks, Mark. That is, my dad took me there a couple of times up to Alaska. King crab fishing.

Beautiful up there. We just keep talking about states I haven't been to. Alaska, Alabama. I've been to Arizona, not Arkansas. I'm just going to go down the alphabet and alphabetical order. Have you been to Wyoming? Negative. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd.

Weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHard 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 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 with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam Jette. And I'm Alex English. We pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s.

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

Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Am I too sheltered? Do I need to get out and see Americana? A lot of East Coast people. They just think they live in New York.

There's nothing else. Oh, okay. You're one of those coastal elites. I'm one of the people. I love Virginia Beach, Nags Head. I was in Rhode Island. on this weekend. I'm Wyoming.

I went two summers ago. My kids loved Wyoming. Oh, my God. And I went to Vancouver, B.C. Let's stick to America here. Well, Vancouver, BC is America. A little different tax rate, but it is America. Isn't it feel like Vancouver BC?

It's water. You're in the water. You're like, you're in Canada. You're in the United States. You're in international waters. I was an international water. You're just an international playboy. I consider Vancouver, just north Seattle.

I've been to Seattle, by the way. We went there after I graduated high school. Loved it. Only rained one day the whole week. We loved it. I loved it. Yeah, you should try Vancouver, BC. Okay, if you say so.

Oh, my God. I'll put it right like 13th on the list, you know, right there with Chicago. If you're flying over it, Washington State and Canada, it's the same place. You just, you know, there's different things you can do in certain places, can't do in others, tax rates a little. Have you done Minnesota? Yeah, beautiful. Why? Why'd you go there?

business Super Bowl or something like I don't know I went there years ago I didn't go to that no I didn't no I didn't go to the suit I have a great airport my wife used to work there that's a what a selling point they've got a great airport very nice people they love the outdoors up you know they call it the land of a thousand lakes or is that Orlando I forget no I think you're right now it's not Orlando that's for sure let's go to Jay Mack with a news turn on the news this is the Hurdline Orlando's got great lakes the butler chain

Orlando's great for like... Boating. Great. A month in December. Golf, voting, Winter Park. Check it out. Orlando's underrated. I've got more relatives.

Our show is massive in Orlando because of my family. I've got like so many family. Ask your family about going to dinner at Winter Park, the Butler chain of lakes. I learned a water ski. It's great. There's like alligators and crocodiles. It's so funny. The first time I went water skiing there, it was my buddy Trace.

and I said, I asked him, I said, are there alligators in the lake? And he said, yeah, but they don't love engines on boat, so you should be okay. And I was like, that's not the answer I was looking for. And you still went? Well, he said, they don't like the sound of a boat engine, so the alligators are not going to attack us in the middle of the lake. I was hoping the answer was, no, there's no alligators here. So you fall off, and then the boat has to circle around and get you. And the alligator probably would not come after you in the next 30 seconds.

Yeah. Just glad you survived Well, what you do if there's an alligator What you do is you You I'm choking over it What did you do if there's an alligator You punch it I think is

That's what you do You do like an alligator or shark You punch it And if that doesn't work You poke its eyes out with your stub Because you'll have nothing left After you punched it and ate your arm So it grabs you and does the alligator

Turn underwater and then you're dead You have no chance Let's not get into that I just know that I water skied in Orlando And it was amazing Okay. Speaking of amazing, oh, this is not the word to use to describe C.J. Stroud, who played in his second preseason game, was not amazing. Seven of 12 for a whopping 60 yards and a loss to the Miami Dolphins. Stroud has made strides, but DiMico Ryans has yet to name him the week one starter.

Here's Coach Ryan's on C.J. Stroud. I'm proud of the progression that C.J. took this week. I mean, that's what we want to see. You want to see improvement week to week, and that's what we're. saw this week, so I'm proud of what CJ did. Has that progression moved enough? We're a couple weeks out of you're ready to name them the start. We'll have a starter in Baltimore. It's the same, as I said previously.

You guys see the starter when we get to Baltimore. Are you bothered by that? I don't know. It's CJ Stroud bothered by that. Let me see who's number two on the depth chart. I don't even know the answer. But they are nine and a half point dogs against, oh my gosh, is Davis Mills, according to a Houston Texans fan on staff.

Is that who's starting? It's Davis Mills or CJ Strout, but they are nine and a half point dogs against the Ravens in the opener. You know what Harbaugh does to teams in the opener. Now, their defense is not good, Baltimore. But they're going to hang some points on these guys. Nine and a half points is a lot of points. Bad teams don't know they're bad in September. Houston's going to hang around.

CJ Stroud, the last couple years at Ohio State, has had a decent wide receiver room. Okay? Olavé Wilson Harrison. Yeah. He's now throwing to Noah Brown, Robert Woods, Nico Collins, maybe Metchie. What about the tank kid? There's a young receiver. Oh, yeah, Tank Dell.

Yeah, they're throwing a tank dell. He's throwing a tank dell. He's pretty interesting. He had like superstar receivers at Ohio State. Well, yeah, Alabama and Ohio State have superstar receivers. So it doesn't mean you can't mean. Mack Jones had him at Bama, then went to, it was on a very good rookie year in New England with bad receivers. so. I don't know what's, I don't see a ton of juice with C.J. Stroud, but I think he looks, he's tall, he's

accurate. I don't see like next level stuff. You know, if you just wanted to win bets, if you just wanted to win bets, it would be very easy for me to go out and just say all the time, yeah, he'll be okay. Because that's what most of these guys are. There's six guys on the planet that are great. The answer is almost always, they fail or they're okay? That's the answer, only. Almost all the time. Almost all the time. But I don't, that's not fun radio. That's not fun media.

I'd rather say great or terrible. To Jalen Hertz, right? Drafted as a backup. I didn't even have an opinion. And everybody was like, oh, we'll see. He was nearly the MVP. Like the leap, we don't see that often in the league. Daniel Jones and Jalen Hertz.

No, no, no. Great offensive coaches. Daniel Jones is. Well, no, but I've said he, his career was in peril. They weren't going to extend him. He got the bag because of the coach. So when you're, that's a big part of this. That's why I always feel so bad for all these young NBA players or these NFL players,

these top five picks often go to these awful organizations and you just never get the coach. I was, you know, watching the Chargers. And so I don't know if Brandon Staley's going to work or not. But they were down to Brian Daible or Brandon Staley. So if the Chargers choose Brian Daible, I'm not saying they're going to be a better team. but don't you think it would be an advantage for Justin Herbert, who's been tremendous with a defensive coach and multiple OCs? So the difference between being very good in a legend, Brady had Belichick.

I mean, we know but Mahomes would be good. He wouldn't be getting to the Super Bowl every year without Andy Reid. See, here's the other problem since you brought up the Chargers. Okay. Let's say that Herbert is amazing with Kellynne Moore wins the MVP. Let's say that happens. Listen, he's a top seven candidate for the odds. Kellan Moore is instantly going to get head coaching opportunities next offseason. He's going to get interviews.

If they don't get to the playoffs, Kellynne Moore will be the coach. He'll get the offer. Brandon Staley's not going to get. But I'm just saying, bottom line, let's say they make the playoffs, they win 12 games and Herbert's the MVP. Kellyn Moore could go somewhere else and be a head coach next year. And then you've got to start all over with another offensive coordinator. No, I think what you do is move Kellan into the starting job. I think they're going to be a really good team. But I guess my point is, I was very lucky in my business.

When I was young, I got a couple of really good bosses. And that's always stuck with me that my path was elevated by good bosses. I know people that were in radio that had terrible bosses. I got very lucky. I had very supportive bosses, people that kind of corrected me or straightened me out. I mean, it's a lot of this, you know, your career, A lot of it is for pro athletes. In basketball, it's different.

Like in soccer. Rinaldo is going to succeed to some level or messy. But in football, so much of football is your coaching and support system. And some of these guys have, I mean, go back to Jared Gough with Jeff Fisher and Jared Gough with McVeigh. Bust and Super Bowl. That's a good one. I mean, that's the difference between being like an eye roll and $250 million in the bank.

That's a good point. Next story. This is an awesome one. basketball, I'm sure you were watching this Sunday. I heard he was great. So Anthony Edwards went off against Germany, and I know people will scoff and say, they trail by 15. They were down 16, yeah, second half.

It was like a run-up game to the Feebo World Cup. I don't even think this game mattered. It was like more than a scrimmage because it was packed there. And they ended the game on an 18-0 run in the fourth quarter. Anthony Edwards had 34. Huh, this game was awesome to watch, like basketball. I sat down with my kids and I'm like, oh, Team USA Basketball. and they go, wait, where's Curry?

Is LeBron playing? They're naming all the great American players. I'm like, no, guys, it's Austin Reeves and Anthony Edwards, and they're like, I'm not watching this. But you and I like hoops. And I'm telling you, Anthony Edwards, he looked like Kobe Bryant out there, because Kobe wore 10 for the Americans.

Yeah. And he did everything. Drives. Well, we know he's a really super... No, no. He looked like... I mean, he was the best player on the team by a mile. But my takeaway from watching this was,

all right, if I'm in Minnesota, I'm moving off Carl Anthony Towns ASAP and building around this guy. But we know he's the future. 34 points? Yeah, but I mean we've known for two years. He was the number two draft pick? He was number one?

Was he the number? Wythman was two? Was he won? He was one in Lamello, I think, might have gone three. Jailin Brunson had a rough game. I don't think he played in the fourth quarter. We like Brunson a lot. Not good.

Well, Brunson's really what he is, is a quarterback. Not that he can't score. but Anthony Edwards is a score. You know who else was a score? Who? Austin Reeves. Listen, I know Laker fans are excited. This kid looks awesome.

And the teammates love him. At the end of the game, he had a steal, and it was going to run out the clock, and he looked at his teammates, and they were like, dunk, and he threw out of this nasty dunk celebration. I'm just telling you, Austin Reeves, the hype is real. This kid can play both ends, distributing.

All right. I'm like Austin Reeves jersey. I don't dislike him, just because I don't judge. jump on the trampoline of height. Doesn't mean I don't think he's a night. He should be a number four starter. If Austin Reeves is a number four starter on your team, you are a Western Conference Champion, Bible.

They went to the conference finals and he was their third best player. It was a weird year. Watch out this year. Sack's going to be better. Denver's going nowhere. Golden State's rebooting. Phoenix added Bradley Beale. He's your fourth.

Who's the Lakers third best then? LeBron? Well, it goes A.D. LeBron. Right now it's Reeves three. Hachamora is probably four. I think you'd want Rui to be five. All right. Final story. Leo Nel Messi, Colin, you and I both love talking about him. I'm so thankful he came to the E. Look at this goal. That's a bolt. Unbelievable. So they won Saturday night. I was watching 10-9 on penalties. They capturing the Ligas Cup.

They defeated Nashville. This messy, we know he's amazing and he led Argentina the World Cup. We get it. But just to watch him still do this, Colin, is, I mean, I'm watching every game. They're throwing a up. This is very exciting. He scored 10 goals. Top scorer, best player. This is the guy who won the World Cup in December. Isn't he having fun? He's having so much fun. Yeah. I mean, the keys, it's really excited. So he's coming out here to L.A. in two weeks. I'm going to try to get you to go. Hopefully. I'll go. Messy against L.A.F.C. Messy tickets around the country are insane. Everybody wants to see him. And it's not like this is some, like, you know, retirement tour.

Taylor Swift and cleats. This is going to be as tough a ticket as Taylor Swift. And I know you like Messi, and you're a soccer guy deep down. I can tell you like it. No, I do. I think it's, listen, I love the World Cup. I think MLS. I think this is a fun story.

It does make me wonder, though, if he can be so dominant, you know, does it make people look at the MLS and go, well, what is it? I don't know. How is it being? I got some of those comments on social media. Like, all the MLS is the G-League compared to it. It's so funny in America. and I've never understood this.

Why does everybody crap on soccer? Are they threatened by it or something? Americans, what do they love? Football. Do they play football anywhere else? Why wouldn't you root for America to be great in soccer? It's the most popular sport in the world. And by the way, we're going to have our most talented United States men's team ever.

In fact, right now in terms of talent, we do. We have like six guys playing overseas at a high level. So fun little social media note, since Messi joined Inter Miami. Their Instagram account has swollen to, 14 million. That's more than any team in the NFL, NBA, or Major League Baseball. Messy globally is a phenomenon. People that don't travel globally or don't travel enough, you know, they get very, you know, parochial.

And it's like soccer is somehow international and a threat or something. That's all I can guess. I can't figure out the hate for, I mean, it's one thing if you don't lie. Like, I don't watch a lot of regular season baseball. I don't hate it. It's just not fast enough, right? But you'll go to a Dodgers game. I go to like two Dodger games.

been to five since I've been here. It's fun. Yeah. It's good stadium. Jay Mack with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Lye News. How do you own the day in sports? You make incredible plays.

How do the rest of us own the day with Irish Spring? When the spring hits you, you're ready to own the day. Look for Irish Spring in a local retailer today. Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. He's by Carmen. I'm Dan Byrd. We have a brand new fantasy football podcast. called I Want Your Flex. Twice a week, every Tuesday and Friday, we come up with new episodes to not only look back

at what happened, what you need to do at that minute, and also look ahead of what's coming up in the fantasy football world. That's right, Dan. Every week we're going to scour the waiver wire to find the pickups to turbo boost your fantasy lineup sits, starts, fantasy football players' rankings to get you ready to dominate the competition. Listen to I Want Your Flex with Mike Harmon and me, Dan Byer. on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, and 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 Heart Radio. app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care 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, 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 we're you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went

down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode, with Mark Lamont Hill waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack all day, but just so you 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.

Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. All right, J-Mac, if the end zone is the Super Bowl, how close are teams to crossing into the end zone? We're going to play Super Bowl field of dreams.

If the end zone is the Super Bowl, what yard liner teams on? Everyone watching on TV's lucky this looks so cool. How close are the chargers to the Super Bowl end zone? Five-yard line. Kellan Moore and left tackle. Rashon Slater is back. Quentin Johnston, the rookie-wide receivers lit up camp. They're at the five-yard line.

Oh, my goodness. All right, the Chiefs. How close are the Chiefs to the Super Bowl end zone? They're at the goal line. They were young. Those 10 rookies should be better. Two starting new tackles. Donovan Smith and Joanne Taylor concerns me a little bit.

They're at the goal line. Denver Broncos and Sean Payton. Probably 40-yard line. Field goal territory. New coaching staff, Tim Patrick, K.J. Hamler, got banged up. They're in field goal range, tough division, couple of injuries. It'll be a work in progress. Field goal range.

Okay, all right. The Raiders. How close are the Raiders to the Super Bowl? Well, their own 40-yard line. They are out of field goal range. Josh Jacobs hold out. Darren Waller's gone. Garapolo's health.

All major concerns on the offensive side of the ball, but they have had a good preseason. My team of destiny this year, the Pittsburgh's Steelers. 30-yard line, makeable field goal, 8 and 2 when T.J. Watt played. They won 6 of 7, and Kenny Pickett was more than serviceable. Should be a field goal. Makeable field goal.

All right. Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl end zone. Lost their safeties, but I'd say goal line, upgraded offensive tackle. Orlando Brown, back-to-back AFC championships. You can lose safeties. Joe Burrell hurt his calf. It's fine. They're on the goal line.

The Cleveland Browns, are they close to the Super Bowl? 40-yard line. You know, under Stefansky, they've had the worst record in that division. They have the most expensive offense. Does everybody love Deshawn Watson? Again, they're like Denver. I know they've got players, but do they have a good team? I don't know.

All right, let's go with the Baltimore Ravens. 30-yard line, they have a new coordinator and a lot of moving parts at receiver, but Lamar has the second highest winning percentage among all active quarterback. So I suspect, like Pittsburgh, they'll be good. There's a lot of new faces to the offense. New coordinator worries me a little. All right, let's get to the bad teams. The Tennessee Titans and the Super Bowl end zone?

Well, they're not bad. I would say Titans midfield could go either way, probably out of field goal range. They've made the playoffs in three out of four years under Vrable. And Ryan Tannihill does have 100 passer rating since he joined the Titans. He's better than people think. But they don't have a lot of POW offensively on the perimeter, and they've got to win a certain way I'd put him at midfield. Houston Texans.

Well, their own 25-yard line. Worst odds to win the Super Bowl, rookie coach, rookie coordinator, rookie quarterback. It'll be a rebuild season. All right, let's do the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Super Bowl end zone. I think they're going to be great. Five-yard line like the Chargers.

Calvin Ridley's going to have 120 catches. They're not great defensively. You don't have to be to win a Super Bowl, but I think they're going to be wildly electric offensively. Remember, by about Thanksgiving last year, they were the best team in the league not named Kansas City. They were on fire. Hurry up. We got to get to the Jets.

How about the Colts? Let's get this out of the way. Their own 25-yard line. Eighth straight season, they have a week-one starter at quarterback that's different. Isn't that crazy? Buffalo Bills. Where are they in the Super Bowl end zone? 20-yard line.

Stefan Diggs drama concerns me. Lost Leslie Frazier. That concerns me. I like them. I don't love them. maybe a bit of a pullback, do they really miss Brian Dable? Oh, my gosh. The New England Patriots, are they close to the Super Bowl end zone?

I think with Tennessee that are at the 50, I think they're out of field goal range. They did hire a legitimate coordinator, but let's be honest, since Brady left, you know what their record is? 25 and 25. They don't have enough juice. Tennessee and New England are well-coached. They just don't have enough juice. All right.

The Miami Dolphins in the Super Bowl end zone? 20-yard line. Vic Fangio helps. I like their defense. Like you, I think they're a dark horse Super Bowl team. If Tua remains healthy. We save the best for last. How close are the Jets to the Super Bowl end zone?

I'm going to put them at the 30 with Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Come on. Well, I don't know if they have the tackle situation there. They've got questions on the O line. It is the first year in New York for Aaron Rogers. They've got nice weapons, but it should. Should be noted, haven't made the playoffs since 2010. Okay.

Where do you see? Well, the Buffalo, let's start with the bills. Colin, that's in him. Come on. The 20? I don't love the bills, but they're behind the Jags of the Chargers. I love the Jags this year. The bills are the 20-yard line.

The Jags are at the 5? By the way, we have Miami as a Super Bowl underdog. They're at the 20. So I popped into Vegas, and I took the Dolphins' all-win total over-todels. 10 and a half. If two is healthy, I'm starting to get a drink your sauce. And then they could win like 11, 12 games. It's all two as health. Yeah. It's scary. There are Dark Horse Super Bowl team.

Fast on both sides. Just need to generate a little more consistent pastures. Jets are in the red zone. Wake up. Come on. It's the herd. 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, 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 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 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, 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. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.