The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Richard Sherman Podcast - Inside 49ers Training Camp: Kittle, Purdy, Lenoir & Kyle Shanahan join Richard Sherman

Episode Date: August 6, 2025

Richard Sherman goes inside San Francisco 49ers camp for exclusive, unfiltered conversations with George Kittle, Brock Purdy, Deommodore Lenoir, and head coach Kyle Shanahan. From locker room leadership and personal growth to Super Bowl expectations, it's a rare look at the mindset behind one of the NFL’s elite teams. 02:00 – George Kittle on training camp, leadership, and playoff memories.17:00 – Brock Purdy on fatherhood, Kyle Shanahan, and proving himself.33:40 – Deommodore Lenoir on becoming CB1 and leading the secondary.42:40 – Kyle Shanahan on roster rebuilding, QB development, and 2025 expectations. #VolumeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it. But, you know, tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you.

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And I'm C.J. Toledano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast point game, the playoffs. We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season. And I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments. If we didn't talk ever again, I was crying. You just understood. That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Marquis keep coming to you. like, you know I love you, dog.

You know, it's all love. This was just playoffs. This was just basketball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, everybody. I'm here with Richard Sherman. Welcome to our podcast.

We just started it. We just started it. We prayed for it. I prayed for it. And I got it. I have George Kittle here on the Richard Sherman and George Kittle podcast. Hey. Hell of a beer.

Thank you. You have beer, you said? You know I do. And I want you to, I want you to, I want you to, like you did with Morgan Wallach. Thank you. I enjoyed that. I know.

It was right, you and your element. It was me and my element. It was like a WWW walkout. Couldn't have any easier for me. I said, who set this up? Because this is perfection. Did anybody think that Trent Williams was going to do it? No.

There wasn't a single person that said him that thought Trent Williams would do it, and I got him to do it. I was so excited. I wish I would have been in on that parlay. I would have bet a lot of money. Dude, I literally, the, I sent it. I actually set Trent out.

Before I asked him to do it, I sent him Drake doing it. it in Houston and I said in Marshawn Lynch doing it. And he was like, oh, dude, that's really cool. I'm like, you want to do it? Yes. Easy. That means you're important. Yeah. Thank you, Trent Williams. They asked me, but I knew they had asked like five people before me, so I said, no, I said, I can't be the sixth. I can't be the sixth choice. I just don't feel great being the sixth choice. You asked Ken Griffey Jr., you asked Marchon again. You asked, I think he might have said, Itcherot. And I said, those are all great. Yeah, but I don't like to be the next one. I would have

picked you and Ichiro, that would have been the best. That would have been a great combination. Together, Richard Sherman, have you hung out with Ittaro at all? No. Oh, that would have been so sick. Have you? No, I'd love to, though. I think he's...

They showed some stat of, like, guys who had three... Amount of hits before they were, like, 27, and Ittiro had zero, and other guys had, like, a thousand hits before they got to 3,000. He had zero. He was the only one on the list was zero, and he got 3,000 before he was, like, 40 or something crazy. That's insane, actually. It's just dumb. But how are you feeling?

I'm feeling fantastic. I play football in California in the nice weather, so I'm doing fantastic. Your beard looks amazing. Thank you. It's pretty thick and grizzly right now. I haven't gotten it trimmed in a while. I was about to say, is that what we're going for this year? You switch it up sometimes.

I do switch it up sometimes. It's honestly, I only trim it when my wife tells me I need to trim it. So whatever she wants, but she's in Cabo right now, so she's not here to tell me to trim it. I'm going to let you know something. What you're saying right now is great advice for everybody out there. Happy wife. Happy life. Well, you're the one that told me that when you're in training camp, your wife's in training camp,

I went the opposite route, and I shipped her to copy. And I say, please go enjoy the ocean and the sun. Because there's not like I'm doing, that's not like we're going to hang out at all. Like, I'm going to be in a hotel hanging out with the boys. Ladies and gentlemen, you want to see how to be married for the next 50 years, 100 years successful marriage. Do what this young man is doing right here. Keep your wife really happy.

Keep your wife really happy. It makes your life way better. It does, doesn't it? If she's in a great mood, I can't not be in a good mood. It's pretty easy. Right. I know. Buy her flowers once in a while, boys.

Every once in a while, do great things, do nice things. Yeah. out of nowhere for nothing. Yeah, just do it. They remember it because they remember everything. So you thought he was a great football player. You thought he was just an all-pro tight end. You thought he just, you know, a beer stone cold Steve Austin,

but he's a great husband as well. I try my best, dude. So I hate to put this on you. Put it on me right now. Children, where are they? Oh, whenever it happens, it happens at this point. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Because now they say you can invest in people's kids

and you can put like a stock market kind of deal. Do you want to invest on mine? I have no question about it. I think I already, I'm pretty sure when I was playing, I asked you and Joe Staley are both. You're there, you're like one and two for investing into my child. No question. That's fine. I'm right there.

I know. That's why I'm asking. I know. I'm in. I'm in. I'm in right here. As soon as, as you know, we get down to that path, I'll let you know and then you can invest. Will you go, if it's a boy, will you go junior?

Very important question. No, I doubt it. Not George. Yes. Probably not a George Jr. No chance. Yes. George is, that's an old name.

It's your name. It's an old name, though. Being a George in like third grade was really weird. It had to be rough. Hey, George. What? What's your middle name? Crager.

It's my mom's maiden name. You know I'm going to use that name. Couldn't be more German. Could not be more. George. Crager, Kittal. Yeah. That's a hard one to get out.

George Kregor Kittal. Yeah, George Kregor Kittal. Everyone always says Kreger. I'm like, that's not that German. Don't do that. Don't do that to me, please. He always calls me the Kittler. That's scary sometimes, too.

It is. I didn't realize people didn't say it because I thought, It's not as pure. No, it is not. I've missed that one, though, in the locker room. That was always one of my favorites. So how are you feeling right now? This is training camp number nine?

I think that was nine or ten. Yeah, one of the other. Ten, whichever. Yeah, whatever it is. It's a lot. We're in there. All of them with Kyle. Yeah.

Training camp nine, sorry, is practice 10. But yes, it's my ninth training camp with Kyle. Yes, we don't keep what numbers of. Yeah, no. Today. No. How are you, how is George Kittle, the player, the man, the husband, the future father, how were you feeling compared to George Kittle, the first year player who

just didn't know his buns from a hole in the wall? I didn't know anything. No, I was just out there. I would say, like, the biggest difference for me is that this is like this training camp, my anxiety level has been lower than it ever has going into a training camp. Like, just like comfortable with the offense, comfortable with the guys that I'm around. Like, yes, we don't have really any healthy receivers out there right now, which is always a stress. You know, it's great to have Ricky's back for his, like, second day in a row, which is fantastic.

But, like, just going into it, like, just not anxious every single day about football and, like, knowing and having the confidence that, you know, I've done it. I know what I'm doing. I'm, like, not really thanking you're just reacting to stuff. Like, that part has been really fun for me because you're not just laying up at night, just like, oh, no. The burden of, like, and I talked to Kyle earlier, and I said, this is the first season in a long time that you guys aren't, like, the preempt.

presumed front runners for sure and people don't understand the pressure and the anxiety of a day to day like there's no win in that because even when you win they're like you didn't win by enough even when you're like doing great they're like hey you were 13 and four they were like why weren't you 14 and three it's like well I guarantee you we tried to be yeah we we it's not like I it's not like I go into a game expecting to lose like I'm expecting to win every single game it's just other teams also are expecting to win it's really hard for people to understand that sometimes sure it's really hard And that's why I want to get it through to them. Hey, you're coming in as not the favorite 17. He said the last two years you guys were favorite in all 17 games.

And I said, people are like, man, that must feel great. I said, no, it's the opposite. I kind of want to come in an underdog and just surprise you every now and then. Because then you can appreciate what we're putting out on the field. But when you go in the favorite and you just win, there's like, well, we expect you to beat that team. Well, how? They're an NFL team with NFL players. Don't expect it.

Well, that's what's crazy. It's like the Niners have the East. easiest strength of schedule this year. It's like, it's the NFL. It's hard regardless. Like, sure, yeah, we're not going up against the number ones from every single conference or division. But so it's an NFL game. Like, you still have to go out there and perform at an incredibly high level because every team is doing that same shit. So it's just like, what are you talking about easiest schedule? Like, relax. I still have to go out there and play for 60 minutes and find a way to get a dub. And find a way to get a... Find a way.

Find a way. A motivated and hungry team. Exactly. Especially all the teams that are at the bottom of division, no one likes to lose. No. So they're all like, usually the teams that didn't play well last year are usually the most hungry to go out there and do it again anyway. So you're getting the most hungry damn teams every single year. And as an all pro premier player at your position, the highest rated on Madden, by the way. Thanks, Chad.

I think that's four years at 98. Can you get me to a 99 one of these times, sure? I'm going to go talk to him. Thanks. Because at this point, they're just kind of. Just give me one. Just give me one more, please. Just give me one of them, one of these days.

How crazy is it when you get in the games because everybody's like, man, it feels good to be the best. But it's like every kid that steps in front of you also thinks this is their moment. It is. It is. Yeah. And you got to, you can't let them down. You got to give them what they expect. You got to give them what the film shows. And tell me how fun, because you're crazy, man, how fun that is every week. It's an absolute blast. One of my favorite things that I learned really early in my career was that there are hundreds of thousands of kids who would love nothing more than to be the starting tight end for the San Francisco 49ers and it is my job to ruin all of their dreams and that is

so basically fuck them kids excuse my language everybody Jordan said it best yeah um but literally like so that's what my mindset is every single time every time I go against a new first iron draft pick defensive linemen it's like hey I'm happy for you that you were drafting the first round but welcome to my world like I'm going to put my hands on you I'm going to headbut you and then next thing you know, I'm going to release past you and go catch a pass and score a touchdown. So it's like, yeah, there are fantastic football players out there. But, like, I'm me for a reason. I work the way that I work for the reason.

I have the confidence I do for a reason. And, like, that's all still with me. I don't give a shit that I'm 31 years old. Like, I'm still out there and I'm going to hit you really hard in the face and I'm going to laugh while I do it. Yes. Yes. Like, why not?

Fuck them kids. Fuck them kids. Thank you. Like, Mikhail Williams. Mikhail Williams is the guy first time. Awesome. Fantastic. get to get blocked by tight ends, have you got a chance to block him yet?

Yeah, multiple times. I mean, in OTAs, she was like, I don't let, like, tight ends don't block me. It's disrespectful. I'm like, you're in a different world now, but it's, you're in a different world. I promise you that it's different now. With a different beast. It's just different. I don't care if it's bad. I'll take a one-on-one pass pro versus anybody. I do not care. Nick Bosa's really hard to block, but I'll still take the challenge any day of the week. So it's really fun. But like all these, yeah, you get the first-run draft pits, you get the second-round picks, all these defensive ends. It's just like, yeah, you were really good in college. Congratulations.

Welcome to the show. You get a lot of respect, well-deserved in this league. Well-deserved. But as a former fifth-round pick, like myself, like... What pick were you? 154. 146. You were before me.

Oh, my God, you... What's up? Hawkeyes. Now, think about this. Think about this. What about the Iowa tight-ins now that get the respect that you get now that you didn't get when you're going on? Yeah. Two were drafted in the first round the year after I broke a record.

Good for them. They're like, look, George Kittle. I know, good for them. You know, and the nice thing, at least they're all good players, too. That's the nice thing. Right. Do they ever call you? Well, I train with Hawkinson every offseason, so that's nice.

See Noah every once in a while, see to Sam LaPorte every once in a while. But it was always fun. I told Noah and TJ the year they got driving. Like, you guys should throw me each a mill. At least. Please, TJ. Especially now with TJ, you got your second contract. You can afford it.

I mean, TJ, come on. You know the originator. Like, let's give them credit. Let's give them credit words due. No, but he was highest paid for there for a reason. So it's nice. Until, until they decide. I got another one, so it's nice.

Getting another big contract of 31 is really fun. It is, but it's well deserved. It is. And I earned the shit out of that. No question. I talked to Cal about you guys as foundational pieces because you guys are the only pieces that were here when I was here. Fuck. You're not wrong.

You, Trent, all pro Fred. Bosa. Christian wasn't here when I was here, but he's another piece. And now Brock. And juice. And juice. Thank goodness. It just didn't feel right.

No, Sarah, my wife would have been mad the whole season. I could see it. I kind of feel like she made a call. I think she called multiple people. She called multiple people on that one. How fun is it to know the challenge of what you guys have coming up this season, but to know at a lot of positions, you guys have a, you guys have a, elite players, not just good players at tight-end, at running back, one of the best players in

National Football League, at left tackle, at D.N, one of the best players in the National Football League at the cornerback spot, at the quarterback spot. Does that give you a ton of confidence? Yes. Like, being on a team that I know that, like, it's not just on two people that have to win every single game, and you can rely on other guys. It gives you more confidence because it's like, well, hey, I have a clear-out-on-this, but I'm going to run the best clear out of my life. So then when Chris McCaffrey catches a choice route, I'll be downfield blocking for him and it's going to create space. And then, hey, the next time that we run some type of play action, he's going to sell his heart out on this play action run, and I'm going to be wide open,

run across the middle of the field. And when you can count on guys, it definitely gives you a lot of confidence. But it's just so fun being around guys who have the desire to win so bad. And then that also being around guys who you've gone through shit with. Like, that's like one of my favorite things is we've won a lot of games together. We've lost games together. And like it builds this, I don't know, this unity, this, like, confidence in this group, and it, like, allows us just to continue to plow forward. And then for all, like, the young guys and you guys who get on the team, it's like, you can either hop on this and rise to our standard, or you're going to fall off the boat and you'll be exposed really quickly. And so it's fun to be able to have guys

that just have that desire all the time that want to go out there and kick ass because it just brings everybody along with them. This is going to be a hard question. Do it. This is a very hard-hitting question. What is your favorite play of all time? Like that I've done personally or like my favorite my favorite play to run? Oh that I've done. And could it be that trap play and the NFC championship play against Green Bay? I don't know. It could be any play. Let's see. One of my, I mean, most Niners fans love my fourth and two against New Orleans States where I run an out route or choice route. broke out and then carried guys.

That was fun. I thoroughly enjoyed that. That was one of my favorite games I ever played because our offense was on fire and their offense was on fire. So those are just fun games. It wasn't my favorite game. No, it was not. Yeah, you guys had a rough game. But, like, those are fun for us because Jimmy threw for like 400 yards.

Like, that's just always fun to see your quarterback throw for 400. That's definitely up there. I would say, like, there's been, like, when we played Green Bay in the NFC championship game out there and then, like, our outside zone was just so dominant. We ran the ball 46 times, and like every single play, we just dogwalk them up and down the field. I mean, like, as a defensive player, is there anything worse than just giving up like eight yards of carry? No. Because there's nothing, like, you know that you're not going to get a lot of action there's in the past game.

Like, playing cornerback and the team throws the ball seven times against you has to be one of the most disgusting things of all time. It's demoralizing. It's demoralizing. And so, like, my favorite plays are just games that we are running the hell out of the football. Like, even the game before that, and we played the Minnesota Vikings. And I just remember both their defensive events. we're talking crap to all of our players. How about they're going to, you know, be more physical than us and all this stuff?

And then we ran the ball 48 times and threw the ball six times. Didn't Jimmy throw a block that game? Jimmy threw a block. He had to pancake that game. I was just like, those are the games and the plays that I remember the most. It's just like those physical games where you come out there and you just kind of tell them to go, fuck themselves. Those are definitely my favorite games.

I love it. Well, I appreciate you joining us. As always, I love you so much. I love you as well. Nothing says summer like long days, clutch plays. and firing off a few bets, all with Draft King Sportsbook. As the season heats up, so do the bats. And Draft King Sportsbook has you covered with live betting, home run props, odds boosts, and more.

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For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see dkNG.com slash audio. Hey, it's us, the Jonas Brothers, and guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, news? Huge news. We created our own podcast called,

Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts. We're starting a trend. But this one's extra special.

So how do we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. We were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this.

We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, where people could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey, Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL, late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier.

This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel. Help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The French Open is one of the toughest tests in tennis, and I know firsthand because I competed there myself. I'm Renee Stubbs, and on the Renee Stubbs Tennis podcast, I'm breaking down everything happening at Roland Garris.

Every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on clay. Jen Chinchin win. I mean, she went down at three to. Rabakina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lena Rubakina is arguably the best player in the world right now. And I actually can win on any surface.

Because if she's serving, well, good luck. Consider this your court side seat to the French Open. Listen to the Renee Stubbs Tennis podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. 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. Welcome back to the Richard Sherman podcast, and today we have an incredible guest, the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, the man of the hour, Brock Purdy.

Congratulations on your new deal. Yes, sir. Appreciate it, man. And congratulations on your new baby girl. Yes, sir. How has that been? It's been awesome. Just to be able to see your own little creation and little baby and have her just look up at you and take naps together, all, all the things, man, of being a dad.

There's nothing that compares to it. Nothing at all. Nothing as a dad of a boy and a little girl. The girls never leave you, by the way. They love you endlessly. But enjoy the chest time while you can because they get bigger and then they don't want to lay on your chest anymore. Yeah. That's just a. That's what I've heard. And the cheeks aren't as chubby. My daughter's losing a little bit of chubby in her cheeks and I'm like, oh my God, no. Please, you're youth. Yeah. Stay there. Stay there. Yeah. But that's awesome, man. I'm so happy for you. It's such life change and stuff. But you've remained humble. through it all. How has that been? How has the life been this off season compared to every other off season? Yeah, I mean, it's been different. Obviously, you got her little baby, wife being pregnant for the most of off season, trying to get a contract done. So there's just been a bunch of different pieces moving. But more than anything, man, I think her and I just trying to stay present, enjoy where God has us in life, and just take it all in. And obviously, continuing to work hard, being real with myself from what I saw last year and getting better,

finding ways to push myself, but also, like, man, like this is going to go by so fast. Their career is going to go by so fast and everything. So we're just trying to soak up all the little things, the little moments and little victories and enjoying it. I'm happy to hear that, man. I mean, you looked as good as you ever have on that practice today. You guys look like you have an incredible QB room. It's different, though. You got Lombardi now.

You had Brian Greasy for the last couple years. How has that changed been? Yeah, I mean, I think two different styles of coaches. Obviously, Brian Greasy played the position. He played for 11 years. His dad, obviously, a Hall of Fame quarterback. So he's had this more of, hey, I played it. This is what I saw.

I can relate to by, you know, the situational football. And I learned a lot from his perspective and things. And I think with Mick, he's just really smart. You know, X as an O, as he keeps it black and white, been with Brady in New England and his tree there, obviously in Vegas and then now here. And so to pick his brand on like what, you know, he did with Brady and all the guys there and how he sees the game, man, I love.

And he's got so much energy and fire. He's a kind of coach man that is going to push you, not hold it back when it comes to where you need to be better, which I love. But then he also does a great job of building us up as quarterbacks. And so overall, it's been great. Obviously, this season, we're going to have a lot of fun and I'm excited to work with them. You got a lot of your weapons back this year. Thank God.

You got Christian back. He looks very explosive. He looks good. Obviously, they're holding him back and taking care of him. George looks as good as he's ever been. Trent looks amazing. How important is that, you know, just to start the season, you guys don't have, you know, fingers crossed,

knock on wood, the distractions of the holdouts and all that. You got your contract done, and everybody's just rolling, ready to go. The expectations there, the energy's there. How exciting is it? Yeah, it's been nice. You know, get our deals done and whatnot, yes, and now get back to work with all of us, really, George, Fred, myself. And so now for us, like, we feel healthy.

We feel good. Guys are all practicing. Christian looks great. Obviously, not having him last year and what he can do within our offense, man. Like, you know, as a quarterback, it's like, man, would love to have this Hall of Famer in the backfield with me. The way he runs the ball, the way we can split him out, throw him the ball. And then it just opens up other guys too, man, like George and JJ, Ricky Pearsall, all those other guys can now come into their role and play really well.

And it's crazy what one guy can do. So having him back in healthy is great. But I think overall we have a we have some. new faces and a new really team that we're trying to find our identity right now during this period of time. But it's all guys that have chip on their shoulders and we got to go prove ourselves, which is a good thing. Well, one guy that's not new, and that's Kyle Shanahan, he's the guy calling him a place. Talk about the way you guys' relationship has evolved because I don't know if all the fans know, but there's a lot of input that quarterback and play call there's a lot of communication, good, bad, or indifferent.

but it seems like you guys have been lock and step the entire step, even through a very tumultuous season last year, a very up and down season. You guys seemed like you were a steady force. Yeah. I think just over the years, man, just continuing to learn from him, how he sees the game,

tying everything together, the run game, play action pass to quick game. There's all these different intricate details that he knows and remembers from all these years of coaching. And so for him to pour into me and teach me these things, It's been awesome. And obviously, I think I'm able to open up his playbook and his system with how he calls plays and you can trust me in certain moments.

I'm still learning. He's still teaching me. But I think together, man, we've done nothing but trust each other and go through things. I mean, you go from my rookie year to NFC championship, the Super Bowl year, the next year, last year, tough year. Like, we've been through some stuff together, which, you know, I think can be a good thing with a play caller and a quarterback. And it's been nothing but trust, man.

So obviously, excited for this year. with him. I'm excited too. It just seems like he has a lot of confidence in you and it shows each and every day, each and every play, each and every play call. I see the way he pushes the ball down the field and take risk. Do you take that as a badge of honor or our confidence builder just the way he believes and he kind of just rolls the ball out there and let you go? Yeah, I mean, it's been nice. You know, sometimes I feel you can see like coordinators, you know, keeping things really simple for quarterbacks, but, you kind of, you know, With him, it's been, has been, hey, man, like, let's see if you can handle it. And I feel like I've shown that. And then it's been, all right, let's take these shots down field. Let's take an opportunity here. We trust you, Brock, that you're going to make the right decision. If it's not there, let's check it down.

So he's done a good job with that with me, explaining it and not, you know, handcuffing me at all. But, like, hey, this is how I would call a game against this scheme and defense. And I trust in you. And I know that you can make every throw out there and let's roll with it. So that's where we're continuing to rise together and trusty, other in certain situations. So it's been really good. Where do you see yourself in this league? You know, I think there's been a lot of lists and all this stuff that comes out about all top four of top 10 quarterbacks, etc etc. I think you're one of the best

quarterbacks in national football leagues. I think your numbers and your efficiency speaks for itself. But I'm sure you're a competitor like every other competitor see the noise out there. How do you take that? Do you take it as disrespect? Do you take it as a badge of honor? Do you take it as motivation? I always wondered how you feel about it. I mean, I've always felt, you know, this like, you know, underdog kind of story. And that's been my story, man, from high school college to the NFL. But for me every single year, all that matters, man, is if, you know, I'm leading these guys in this locker room and this building, this organization. And they trust me here.

That's all that matters. And, you know, we've been able to go and show and prove that what we do here, what I do as a quarterback works. And we've won games. We've been to the Super Bowl. like it's worked. And so as long as I just continue to focus on, you know, where God has me and learning with Kyle and Lombardi, all my teammates, and keep having their trust and gaining their trust, that's all it matters.

And so everybody's going to have something to say. That's the nature of the sport. And that's fine. But I don't buy into or listen. If I were to listen to criticism and everything, I wouldn't be where I'm at today. So I've had the chip on my shoulder and I go prove myself right every single year. and so that's just where I'm at. When was the moment that you knew, like, I could play in this league

and I could play at a high level in this league. I remember for me, it was like one of our corners went down in the game and they kind of just threw me in there. I was like the fourth corner and they had to. We didn't have any other choice. And I went out there and I made a couple of tackles and I'm covering guys. I'm like, this is easier than practice.

I might be okay out here. I'm not overwhelmed. This isn't too fast. It's not too hot. I'm not tired. I'm not overthinking it. I said, I might be, this is easier than college for me. When was that moment for you?

I think, you know, at practice and stuff I was making throws my rookie year, and I was trying to make the team. And I was like, all right, I think I can do it, but this is practice. And so once we got in the week 13 against the dolphins, Jimmy went down. My first third down pass was like a little five-yard out to Christian on third down. I completed it on the sideline. And in that moment, I was like, dude, this is football. I've been doing this my whole life.

And during the game, I feel like it's a little bit more slower, actually. Everything seems open. You can see better. Practice sometimes is so hectic. You're trying to get different looks and whatnot. But in the game in that moment on that drive, I was like, man, I've been doing this my whole life. We went down. We scored.

There was a two-minute drill right before half. We were just executing. And I was just throwing and going through my reeds. And I was like, you know, I can do this. And sure enough, we went on a run that year, my rookie year. But I think it was those two drives right there, week 13, 2022. Bro, it was cool. It was cool to see you.

When the moment's not too big for you and you come out there and just execute and just play the game, Some of the layered throws, though, that you put out there, I'm like, I don't, because I've never played quarterback. I've only played corner. So everybody's like, man, you got to know how I feel. Only people know how it feels to be an NFL quarterback or NFL quarterback. So just because we're out there with them doesn't mean we see the game the same. How hard is it to, especially some of those throws to Juan last year, it looks like you're getting it over the fingertips of a guy, dropping it down. Explain it to me.

Because I'm watching it and I'm like, I played football. long time and I'm still not knowing how he's getting there. I can't see him from the angle they're showing the catch. I can't see you throwing it. Yeah. I just see the ball pop out and drop down. I'm like, bro, one day I want to ask him how it is to make those throws. And he, please. Yeah, I think, man, it's just years of playing, throwing certain routes, understanding coverages and stuff. And then like JJ, BA, Christian George, like just getting reps on reps. And I know where they're going to be. And yeah, I do. I've said this before. There's times where you can't see there's guys up in your face,

but you know that it's there. You know that this is the right look. And regardless of a defense line getting pushed up or a linebacker getting his hand up, I know that if I just get this over this tall human being who's going to jump really high at the right time on this first hitch, then JJ is going to be right behind them and just drop it right in there.

So it's just reps and understanding what I'm looking at, being prepared for certain coverages and things. But yeah, it's just the first. feel of the game, man, playing all my life of them playing it, you know, so sort of hard to explain, but no, no, you explained it really well. What's your motivation at this point? You got, you got the big, big money, you've been to Super Bowls, you've got a great team, what's, what's propelling you? For me, it was always that underdog role, it was always that, that lack of respect. You know, even when I had great stats, I had the numbers, we had Super Bowls, we had great

defense. We're number one, top 100, I'm like seven or eight, and, you know, it's like, but I still I still don't feel it. You know, I still don't feel like I'm respecting. I feel like the disrespect was always greater than the appreciation I got. And it always fueled me. So I always felt like my gas tank was full. And I go out there and I'm like, I got to prove them wrong. And it's like, well, you're the number one corner in the league.

It's not really people to prove on. But somehow, how in this psychotic mind, I always felt like I had something. Yeah, you have to. Whether it's true or not, like, you have to tell yourself, like, dude, I was drafted last. I was my miserelevant, like that whole thing. But that fire that I came into, my rookie year with that chip on my shoulder trying to show those guys on the field, my teammates, the defense, like, hey, like, I'm made for this. And just reminding you of yourself of that

and every single year. And for me, I'm a faithful man. I believe that God created me to be a competitor, to be a leader. And just because we got to the Super War, I got a contract, that doesn't mean like, for me, it's the next season, man. It's how can I go lead these boys today for this practice, for this game coming up, this season, like there's this drive of, I still got to go show and use my talents that God's bless me with to go show him, my teammates that I'm this competitor that you can rely on. And so it's pushing myself every single day. It's not being content. It's being comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Like it's always this uneasy feeling that I can get better. So it's where I'm at daily and still pushing myself. You're doing a great job. And you're inspiring a lot of kids who are in similar situations where they're underdogs. And the world's against them. And the world doesn't think they're the tallest or the fast or this or they're supposed to the prototype for this. And they know that they can. They know that it's possible and it's possible to play at the highest level and to execute the way you have.

It's really remarkable. Do you have a favorite play of your career so far? Favorite play in my career? Honestly, there was one, I think it was the not NFC championship game, the game before against the Packers. It was like a we didn't play the best on office. but we needed this drive at the end of the game to go up. And it was a third down play. And it was Brandon and Iyuk over the middle.

We call it Gucci. And it was a six steps slant crossing the nickel's face. It was man to man. And it was in time. I threw it on plant, BA turned at the right time. It was tight coverage. The DB reached across. We got the ball there.

It was a diving catch. I was like, bro, boom, we get the first down. I was like, all right, we're staying on the field. And then from there, we won the game. We won the NFC champion. game after that. We got to the Super Bowl, but it's like that play, if that play didn't happen, man, none of this, none of that, the NFC championship, comeback game, getting to the Super Bowl, that wouldn't have happened. And those are the things I remember. Like, I love that stuff.

I live for it. And so that was probably one of my favorite plays. Oh, that was a great play. I remember that drive. I remember. I also remember the defense making a play the next drive. It was, I love this game. And it's a game of inches and you for, sometimes you forget those moments get lost in it. And people just remember the results. They're like, oh, yeah, they, they, beat them and they went here and they went here. But without those plays, it'd be a different, I really appreciate you joining me. I appreciate you taking the time. I know it's training camp and a lot of things going on. Congratulations on everything. Help your wife out. Wake up sometimes and feed the baby because that goes a long way. I promise you. Happy wife, happy life. Best advice I ever got.

Yes, sir. Appreciate you, man. Appreciate you. Hey, it's us to Jonas Brothers. And guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, huge news? We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast. Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts. We're starting a trend. But this one's extra special.

So how did we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. Oh, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing.

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Welcome back to the Richard Sherman podcast. I've got an incredible guest here, Di Amador, Lenore, the Hyena, one of the best players on this San Francisco 49ers defense. How are you feeling, brother? I'm feeling good, man. I feel good to be back in training camp, blessed, you know, to be playing football, able to do something I love. you know, for many years to come. So speaking of many years to come, you've been putting on good tape for a number of years.

Obviously, like I told you before, you played the best during the biggest games in the playoffs, getting those interceptions. Talk about your mindset coming into this year. It's just really just being a lockdown corner. You know, I feel like I didn't transition to this role to play, you know, to be this cornerback one. So, you know, what's needed for a cornerback one

is usually to shut down the best receiver. and I feel like I was just being ready for that challenge, you know, since I made my name for myself in this league. Talk about the conversations you've had with Sala since he's been here. You know, you haven't got to play with him. Obviously, I played with him before you got here. And then you've heard about him from other guys. But how have those conversations been? It's been all positive.

Really just being the CB1, you know, he kind of wanted to pick my brain and, you know, figure out how I operate. And just talking to him, he's seen the, like, like the confidence in me. That's why he came out with the story, you know, when he was talking to the media last week. I was just telling them, you know, that I'm ready for any challenge, you know, if it's got to be 99 plays in man or if it got to be 99 in zone, I'm ready for the challenge and I'm willing to back up anything that I put out there.

I love that. I love that. It's such a different, has it changed for you, you know, coming in, you've been scrappy fighting for. I remember your first reps in rookie minicamp where they were sitting there like, like, who is this dude? he was 38 on, jamming everybody up to now, you got paid, and it doesn't seem like it's changed your hunger at all.

Oh, yeah, for sure. I feel the money didn't change me, you know, the love of the game. You know, I always have to love the game. I always played this game with just love and just, you know, peer just want to. You know, some people, like, they just wake up and just, you know, they say it, they say it, but, you know, actually speak louder than words. So I'm more of one of them guys, you know, that just like to work.

You know, I'd rather come in and work and just prove my worth. It's a young, young, young secondary now. And so your role, even in that, with Tala Noah gone, Gip gone, who else is gone? I mean, it's Chavarius, yeah. Charverius, I mean, Charverius is gone, Mooney's gone. I mean, so now what role are you taking on? Are you taking on that veteranship role and mentoring these young guys spending an extra time with them? Oh, yeah, yeah, for sure.

I feel like, you know, always getting the room better, you know, and spreading the knowledge. Because, you know, I was once one of them guys coming in that was trying to learn the game, trying to figure it out, you know, stuff was getting too hard. I feel like the coaches was on me. So I kind of have to let everything slow down. So I just kind of be like, you know, the shoulder that they can lean on, you know, and telling them, you know, is never too big. And, you know, you just got to let the game slow down for you and really just lock in and just pay attention. Do you feel like DB and the other coaches have kind of leaned on you to be that voice in the room? Oh yeah, for sure. You know, because I mean, all our examples, like you said, has left. So I'm kind of like the last example. So like, you know, I got to show that leadership, you know, to show them how we, you know, how we set the standard here. Yeah, sometimes, sometimes that role, you know, as an old guy who used to play a long time ago. Yeah. It takes a lot of time. You know, it takes, and sometimes you're here later than you want to be. Sometimes you're here later than you want to be. Sometimes you're sitting there in a dude's locker or next to a dude's locker. Or next to a dude's locker.

giving them motivation, you know, because they had a rough day. Do you embrace that? Oh, yeah, I love it. You know, it just takes me back to when I was a young guy, you know. I always needed that guy. Like I had Jason Verrett, K. Wine Williams and Jimmy Ward, you know, those guys to lean old, Emmanuel Mosley. I had guys like that, you know, that I can lean on and talk to, you know, whenever

stuff got hard or stuff was too complicated or I'll just reach out to you, you know, and just pick you guys' brand and just see how, you know, how y'all did it. So what's the expectations? What are your goals this season? And what's the expectations for this defense? For one, it's to win the Super Bowl because I feel like, you know, we got there too many times. But just being NFC and, you know, going to the Super Bowl, I feel like we always just getting there. You know, I'm done trying to talk about it.

I'm trying to win. Like, you know, I feel like that's the goal, a team goal. But my personal goal, of course, be all pro, you know, pro bowl. and, you know, just be CB1. I love that. I love that. And you're going to get there. You're going to get there.

You've been in this league five years now, or going on five years. What's your favorite play? Favorite play? I would say the Interception versus the Cowboys in the playoffs, because I felt like that was like my coming, like I made a name for myself that game. You know, I feel like a lot of people was counting me out. You know, they was talking about me having a decent season. Like, it wasn't really like, I would say, a strap corner.

I would say I was just, like, kind of getting my feet wet with everything, trying to learn a game, you know, trying to just make plays that I needed to make. And then I feel like that moment was like my breakout moment. No question about it. I mean, it was definitely a big game, a big play. And it never seemed like the moment was too big for you. It never seemed like the playoffs were different. Honestly, it seemed like the playoffs were either.

You had more books in the playoffs. Yeah. Yeah, it was more like I got to get everybody off my back because I felt like a lot of people was coming at me because like the game before I had, I gave up a touchdown to AJ Green and it was like his retirement moment. It was like a crazy touchdown.

I ain't gonna lie. I was like, I mean, I hit you up after that one. It was crazy. So I was like, I really wasn't feeling that. And then the fans was coming at me, you know, they kept coming at me. So I was just like, man, I'm about to just go and like all their tweets.

I started liking all the tweets. And then I came back, Seattle game I had a pick. And then I was like, no, I still got more in the tank. We got two more. We got two more weeks. I know we were going to go to the bowl. And then came Dallas game. And like you said, like we was talking about it earlier, you know, when you watch guys,

you pick up certain tendencies. And I've seen the tendency and I just took it and ran with it. You did that. And you've continued to do that and continue to elevate. Has your mindset changed as you've gotten more veteran in this league? Like, has it from that play when you got to pick a game, against Dak Prescott and Dallas Cowboys to now. Yeah, I would say I'll watch way more film,

like after that play, because I was like, I never was a film guy. So like, once it happened, I was like, oh, this works. Like, I could start, I should start doing this. So then I start picking up on more tendencies and tendencies and then I just created this, the hyena. Yes.

Yeah, yeah. And the hyena is making a name for itself. You still don't feel like you get the respect you deserve, though. Oh yeah, no, I still, I still feel like I don't get that respect, you know, of a person that's been in the league five years, who only gave up three touchdowns, you know, like, I could talk about all the statistics. Yeah, you know, all the statistics, but like, you know, I just feel like when the work is proven,

like everything, it'll be a setting stone for itself. It'll take care of itself. No question. It's going to take care of itself this year. You know, I think Pro Bowl, all pro is always a goal for everybody. And if you continue to put it on tape, you know, this year, it's harder for anybody to ignore you. You know, you're in this secondary, you're the guy. You're the guy with the, if it's a video game, you got the star under you.

You write down on this defense. And I think you embrace that challenge. Yeah, I'm ready for it. What's your favorite play in training camp? Of all your training camps that you've had so far in the National Football League, what was your favorite play? Really, the play, it was like my welcome to the NFL play. Like, I would say when George Kittle, yeah, he scored a touchdown on me in the stadium right here. because it was like it's my favorite play because it kind of shaped me to like all right you got to get better

like that can't happen because it was it was an embarrassing moment to me and like all the fans was there and then he kind of like snatched he jump ball all off my head threw me on the ground and I was like I was sick but I wasn't mad but I was just like I can't let that happen no like I don't care who it is right and that's what I knew I belong I was like oh yeah I belong in the league no question about it Anything else you want to ask me or anything else you want to get off your chest, why are we here? I'm going to be the best corner in the league this year. I love it. You heard it here first on a Richard Sherman podcast, the best corner in the league, the Amador to Lenore,

and I'm going to hold you to it, babe, and we're going to have you back on. Oh, yeah. Let's do it. It's been a crazy offseason. Like, I don't know a ton of, not a ton of guys that were here when I was here. Obviously, the foundational guys, Nick and Trent and, and, and, um, and, George, Christians here, Brock. But how has that been just this offseason so much turnover both with the players and the staff?

I mean, you lose Brian Greasy, the QB coach. You get Sala back. You get Gus. How has that been for you? It's been different. Like, it's been real different. And you knew it was coming. I've known for a while.

I mean, you can't spend that money year and you're out. And eventually you've got to take one off. And, you know, I was still living in hope a free agency that I want to be as, bad as I thought it was going to be. And then it was as bad as I thought it was going to be. And that took a little time to get over. Really didn't get over until the draft. Because I just saw blank spots on the board for a while.

And then the draft filled up a lot of those. It doesn't solve all the problems. But then we get excited because now you can see guys that you want to work with. And it's different because when I've looked up in our board, probably for the last six years, really, probably since 2019, I always looked at no blank spots at starters. And I was like, all right, we've got to get some depth here. We're an injury away from needing a young guy here,

but we had really built this, I'd like to say the right way, in 17 and 18, and it was able to last us for about six years. And the difference now between 17 and 18 is those guys you just mentioned. We still got a number of dudes, some difference makers, some borderline Hall of Famers. But they are surrounded by a team that is,

you say starting over, it's hard for me to say starting over because of all those guys, but you are with the rest of the team. And, you know, when we got here in 17 and 18, you know, we added all these young guys and we're counting on young guys, but, you know, on offense, there was only one guy who played from the year before, and that was Joe Staley. So it was 10 new guys. And then, you know, by, in the 19, was Joe's last time. On defense, it was all new guys except for Jimmy Ward, Armstead, and Buckner. So we had three. So just to have to replace all those guys that took a couple of time. And so we're all relating to that moment now. But we remind ourselves, too, that, yeah, but Christian's out there. Nick's out there. Trent's out. there, Fred's out there, we got Brock, you know, so those are things to be real excited about. And we're also excited working with these young guys because it's what you got to do and it

adds a lot of energy in you to this place that I think is very needed. I got to talk to Nick earlier in Fred, and that's what they were saying. They were saying how much it energized them and made him excited to come out here because he was like, it's so new just trying to get these guys to understand the standard and understand the approach every single day, the culture, and how great it is to have Sala who reinforces that and and just to have somebody Nick is like man when Salah when you were here the first time I didn't really understand all the stuff you were building he said then you left and then he came back he's like I fully understand what you're able and so I think that's been really cool but guys like Diomador

who are leaders now who weren't here when Salah were here he seems to just he's like the way sola come came into meetings and the respect that guys and the buy-in that guys have for him is incredible and I thought that was pretty cool no it's huge and it's um I mean that was the big thing in one to get him back so much when he became available because it's nothing against the last the guys that he's replaced I thought they did a good job but it was we're going through a different transition than what we've been in and I've already done it once with Salah and 17 and 18 we went through a lot of lumps but we built it together and now both of us having the experience of it him going somewhere else and having to build it it's so much more fun and so much more

knowledgeable to have a guy to bounce things off of and who's been through it before and who understands some of the adjustments we got to make, and it's not his first time doing it. And sometimes, and you can correct me if I'm wrong, but sometimes not the pressure, but the expectation and burden of being the favorite is a lot for a team. I've been on great teams and where you come in the favorite.

Then I've been on teams where you're young and people aren't expecting a lot, and then you slap everybody in the face with what you've built and what you go out there and the product you put on the field. How exciting is that challenge for you? I love that. I mean, I don't like being favored in every game, to tell you the truth. The last two years before this season started, we've been favored to win all 17 of our games two years in a row.

So that was a little different. And we did have a good team, so I understood it. But rarely do you look at it that way. And now, I don't know how it would be. I mean, I haven't checked those odds yet. But I don't think we're going to be in that situation. But we still do have a chance to win everyone. But I would much rather be the underdog doing it. I mean, when guys are going to be the underdog doing it. I mean, when guys are up for you every week, it's, it makes it a little bit different. And hopefully people can sleep on us a little bit. I know no one would like that more than our guys. And then you come out and you shock them and you hit them in the mouth.

How has your approach changed? Because it's such a tough season last year. And I know how much you put into it every freaking day and how hard you are on yourself and how much. What did you do this off season to kind of like push the reset? it. Well, having five weeks longer off helped. I'm never wishing for that again. I didn't like having all of January off, but after not having that for a while, it was, it did help. By the time the players got back here, we were just, we were so ready for them. And we hadn't been that way in a few years. And the players also hadn't been that way, especially after the tough Super Bowl loss.

It just, the offseason was a little bit too fast. And to have all that time to really kind of get your mind right, get your health right, and really not just be like, all right, it's time to work. It's more like, I can't wait to work. And then when the guys came in at phase one, just the whole team being here, the way the offseason went, it was a different energy. And it was something we needed because we have to build this. We have to earn this where we can't just expect to be what we've been. And we've got to be more than that. We've got to be something different than that.

And that process has already started. I think it started a little bit last year. We talked about having to put three drafts in a row to kind of build a team the right way, I thought we did 17 and 18 and 19. And when I look at some of our drafts last year with guys like Ricky, guys like Mustafa, I mean, guys who came out and played real well, I'm hoping they can step up in year two along with these rookies. And I'm hoping we had a whole other very good group next year too.

And hopefully when you do that three years in a row, it gives you a chance to compete there for five to six years, hopefully. No question about it. And speaking about development, your UB room is a little different this year. You know, obviously Brock got his pay freaking looks at it. incredible. Now, I mean, I don't know who 17 is. I mean, he looked like he was dropping diamonds today, but you got Mac Jones. 17's got his son, too, by the way. No way. Yeah. That was like the only reason I almost didn't want to do it because I'm like, dude, we can't, oh wait, that guy throws too good.

I don't care who his dad is. So he dropped the dime in there between two on like a dig. I was like, who is this? Yeah, going across the board. He did a real good job today. Yeah. Sorry, I got tight tracked. But you got Mac Jones, who, who, who, who is. you guys were rumored to have been, you know, got drafted in 10th pick. But it just seems like such a strong room. And then going back to, what was that, Brock's rookie year when you guys had. Trey and Jimmy. The next year, second year, sorry, when you guys had.

Sam Darnal. Sam Darnel. Yeah. And the way Sam's blossomed. Do you find, do you find any pride in that and his success and the success of Brock and just how you've been able to not only develop your quarterback and in an incredible way, a seventh round pick, mystery relevant, all that nonsense, to one of the highest paid quarterbacks

in National Football League, one of the most efficient, and then also seeing Sam's success both out in Minnesota and then getting a starting job and making a lot of money, and then you bring in Mack Jones, who looks like he's on a similar trajectory.

I mean, you do have a lot of pride in it, but it's also like, I can't tell you how good all those guys are. It's not like we saw them and they weren't good, and then we're like, if they just come to us, they'll be good. You know, I mean, we watched all those guys, guys in college and we thought they had a chance to be really good. And then you watch them on

NFL tape and the numbers aren't always great or the teams, you know, the wins, losses aren't, but you can still watch on film exactly what you saw in college and know that they have an opportunity to be real well. Now, you got to put them in a scheme, you got to put a team around them so they have a chance to. And then you don't know the guys, you've just seen them on tape. But when you get the guys here, guys like Sam, guys like Brock, Mac, and then you see what type of dudes they are. And you have the tape from college that you know. You're like, all right, I don't get why this guy can't play. He's got to be able to play.

He seems too good. And then you get him in the scheme, you go against everything. And if they work and they're made of the right stuff, they usually end up showing you exactly what you thought they were a while ago. They just got to be in some probably better opportunities. No question about it. Has anything changed philosophically, offensively? Obviously, you've lost so many freaking coordinators and so many people on your offensive staff

for the best of reasons, for head coaching jobs, et cetera, et cetera. But now you bring in Kubiak, and he's, new to it. Obviously, you're still calling the plays, but how does that change your philosophy and the impact, you know, of the run game and what he's bringing? I mean, these guys, like, we've built, all these guys have been really brought in from outside. They've all, like, I mean, Clay, you know, he's, Clay's been, was in high school until he was 30, and he was, he was smarter than most of us. He knew he didn't want this lifestyle. He wanted to have a more comfortable lifestyle. He ran a hell of a program in high school, but he'd been around it so long,

just like I have. You know, he was obsessed with everything that his dad did, so he had such a good background. And when I brought him here, I put him on defense for two years. And he was there with Domeco. And that's exactly what I did with Bobby Sloag, too.

That's what I did with Brian Fleury, who's our run game coordinator. So all these guys go over there and they get trained on football, just how to know the exes and those of defense. And then if there are guys that I believe will be offensive coaches, I bring them over to the offensive side.

And then they kind of be with us as QCs, as assistants, and they get to learn all the scheme. They're not just sitting in room, only focusing on coaching the wide receivers or only focusing on coaching the quarterback. Those are the guys actually who work with me the most who can think a little bit more scheme because they're not having to run positions all the time. And then they're more than ready for it when they get that role. And Clay's been a stud. He's been as good as anyone I've had.

I mean, yeah, I call the plays, but I have no problem with him calling it either. And there's times where I will just tell him to call it. And I'll do that this year at times. Brian Flurry, you know, he's been working in our run game ever since Mike McDaniel left. And I think we've done very good since then. So he's done an awesome job, but he was also around here for a number of years so he could see how we'd do it. And when his time came, he was ready for it.

And then Chris Furster, who's as important as any coach I've ever been around. He was with me in Washington for those four years. It's been the best O-L-Line coach to me in the NFL, and I feel extremely fortunate to have him. And he's a guy that I always plan on being together with. Love that. Because the last eight years that you've coached here, you started training up off with a run.

and then you bomb saw what the first play what we doing what went to that I said play action mom first play everything's the setup you know how it is so rude if we're talking run all day to him you know we're starting out with the pass and we're talking passes all day we're just going to hand it off 40 times so it's always got to be a setup with him oh I'm gonna miss that I'm gonna miss how you how you you and him go at it I'm sure it's gonna be some it's been some fun medals this training camp I would imagine man I miss I miss you guys I miss the mental battles the mental gymnastics the schematic gymnastics and how you knew every hole in the scheme and try to expose it. Well, that's what's fun because when you do learn a defense, you should be able to get it eventually. And then that's why you try to get certain players to stop it. And then Saul will always say, yeah, but he doesn't have to adjust us a little someone else does it. But then in this league, someone else is going to do it pretty damn fast. And that's what's been cool about Solove. We know how we started out and we know where we are now.

And that's just by life experiences. You go through things in games, you go against schemes, and you always have to be adding. That's when people ask me what my scheme is, I really can't answer. It has to do with what we're going against. It has to do with what your players are. And it's about figuring out scheme. It's about understanding your personnel and putting those guys in the best position to win, which is never an absolute answer.

It's always changing. And that's what that was my last question. Because this league has pretty much been built to stop your quote-unquote scheme, I mean, which is West Coast, Bill Walsh, the old school, but it's what you, McVeigh, Freaking LaFleur, a lot of teams. I mean, O'Connell, everybody's running similar, some version of, I don't know, your scheme. How tough is that because every year the league is working hard to come up with adjustments, new defenses, new coverages, new blitzes to stop that scheme? I mean, it gets more challenging. I think the most challenging thing is people practice against them more.

when people implement stuff that we do, whether it's the motions, the run scheme, some of the concepts we do, when that's showing up in a lot of more people's offenses, that means they're practicing it throughout training camp. Where when other offenses used to not do it, they would try to practice it on a carded period on Wednesday and Thursday, then they would try to do it half speed on Friday,

and then they would get shocked on Sunday. Now it gives them a little bit more of a head start. So that part's a little frustrating. I wish we could patent some certain things, but they won't allow you to do that. So you've got to keep working, and you've got to keep trying to find better players than the people you're going against.

Right. And you guys got them. You guys got them. I'm excited to watch this year as a fan and friend of yours. I think it's going to be a great year. And I appreciate you giving me a time. Good always, man.

Love you coming down here, Dylan. Love to come down. Appreciate you, brother. All right, man. Hey, guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin.

And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called, Hey, Jonas. Nice. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it.

First people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it, but, you know, tired and sick. Tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel 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. Winning on Clay is an art. The rallies are relentless, and at the French Open, only the toughest survive. I'd know. I competed there for decades. Join me, Renee Stubbs, on the Renee Stubbs

tennis podcast for no nonsense break of the biggest matches, the toughest players, and the moments set to find Roland Garris. Jen, she's an outsider to win the French fame. And she likes Clay. Listen, Leonard Rabakina is arguably the best player in the world right now, and I actually can win on any surface. Listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. What's up, fam, it's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm CJ Toledano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast Point Game. playoffs. We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season. And I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments. If we didn't talk ever again, I was crying. You just understood. That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Mark keep coming to you. He's like, you know I love you, dog. You know, it's all love. This was just playoffs. This was just basketball.

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