Thanks for listening to The Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to three eastern nine am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for The Herd at Fox Sports Radio dot com, or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. Thanks for listening to the Herd podcast.

Thanks for listening to The Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to three eastern nine am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for The Herd at Fox Sports Radio dot com, or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. Thanks for listening to the Herd podcast.

Here we go.

Here we go.

It is the day after Christmas. We are live in Los Angeles. It's the Herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening. Thanks for making us part of your day. Jmak we gotta treat. The NFL games were blowouts, the NBA games were great. What a treat yesterday sitting around eating food, Maybe maybe snuck in one small cocktail, soft friends, family.

It is the day after Christmas. We are live in Los Angeles. It's the Herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening. Thanks for making us part of your day. Jmak we gotta treat. The NFL games were blowouts, the NBA games were great. What a treat yesterday sitting around eating food, Maybe maybe snuck in one small cocktail, soft friends, family.

Yeah, I barely made the show today. Rough night, last night, great day, tremendous day.

Yeah, I barely made the show today. Rough night, last night, great day, tremendous day.

Book, you had a great Christmas? Well, I know your house. I hope you had a great day with you and your fami. I know your house didn't have cigars and.

Book, you had a great Christmas? Well, I know your house. I hope you had a great day with you and your fami. I know your house didn't have cigars and.

No cigars, no, but we had everything else.

No cigars, no, but we had everything else.

Good for you. So, Kansas City twenty nine and Pittsburgh ten, two different directions, two different stories. Let's start with Kansas City. The last two years in the NFL, Baltimore and the Buffalo Bills have blown us away spectacular quarterback play. And then the playoffs arrive and Kansas City figures some stuff out and Travis Kelsey explodes and Spags has the defense right and the offensive line, which isn't great in the regular season, now is protecting Mahomes. And you look up and Kansas City wins all the close games and beats in the super Bowl. An NFC roster that's arguably better. That's what they do. And I watch Kansas City dismantle the Steelers. Travis Kelsey had eight catches. They found another weapon. They do this every year now it's Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown is back. Every year they find another weapon. Late the pass rush without Chris Jones without him was substantial by the way. Last four games, points and yards have increased every game and six straight game without a turnover. This is what they do. They just figure out ways, little edges advantage there, get rid of the you know, the debits, let's turn them into credits. And this Kansas City team, to me, is a better offensive version and a more mature version of last year. Get ready NFC. This is probably who you're gonna face. And I've been hearing this, well team, it's just I mean, the refs, this thing is oh talk about lucky. They played three games in eleven days, two on the road and outscored their opponents to go undefeated seventy two to thirty six. Yeah, it's nothing about it. They here's what they do, the stuff that matters to a lot of people, blowout wins, MVPs. It doesn't matter to them. They got twenty three days now until the playoffs. They gotta buy, got a regular seat in game, they can stay arrested and twenty one in one in their last twenty two games. And again, they care about what's important. Finding over the course of a season, another weapon, another tackle, a little edge, improving young players. They care about the crap that makes you a Super Bowl champ. You got other teams in this league worrying about Hey, Twitter, Eh, who's the MVP that is below Kansas City at this point, you know, the Yankees don't care about MVPs. The Yankees are trying to get trophies. The Mets go crazy for MVPs, Like right now, everybody in Pittsburgh Gay no losing season. Well, that's the ceiling or is that the floor? I'm confused. This is what Kansasity does. The protection was better without Chris Jones. All the young pass rushers, Spag's got them working. Now they've got Worthy. Here's Hollywood Brown. Everybody, every ar oh, I hear?

Good for you. So, Kansas City twenty nine and Pittsburgh ten, two different directions, two different stories. Let's start with Kansas City. The last two years in the NFL, Baltimore and the Buffalo Bills have blown us away spectacular quarterback play. And then the playoffs arrive and Kansas City figures some stuff out and Travis Kelsey explodes and Spags has the defense right and the offensive line, which isn't great in the regular season, now is protecting Mahomes. And you look up and Kansas City wins all the close games and beats in the super Bowl. An NFC roster that's arguably better. That's what they do. And I watch Kansas City dismantle the Steelers. Travis Kelsey had eight catches. They found another weapon. They do this every year now it's Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown is back. Every year they find another weapon. Late the pass rush without Chris Jones without him was substantial by the way. Last four games, points and yards have increased every game and six straight game without a turnover. This is what they do. They just figure out ways, little edges advantage there, get rid of the you know, the debits, let's turn them into credits. And this Kansas City team, to me, is a better offensive version and a more mature version of last year. Get ready NFC. This is probably who you're gonna face. And I've been hearing this, well team, it's just I mean, the refs, this thing is oh talk about lucky. They played three games in eleven days, two on the road and outscored their opponents to go undefeated seventy two to thirty six. Yeah, it's nothing about it. They here's what they do, the stuff that matters to a lot of people, blowout wins, MVPs. It doesn't matter to them. They got twenty three days now until the playoffs. They gotta buy, got a regular seat in game, they can stay arrested and twenty one in one in their last twenty two games. And again, they care about what's important. Finding over the course of a season, another weapon, another tackle, a little edge, improving young players. They care about the crap that makes you a Super Bowl champ. You got other teams in this league worrying about Hey, Twitter, Eh, who's the MVP that is below Kansas City at this point, you know, the Yankees don't care about MVPs. The Yankees are trying to get trophies. The Mets go crazy for MVPs, Like right now, everybody in Pittsburgh Gay no losing season. Well, that's the ceiling or is that the floor? I'm confused. This is what Kansasity does. The protection was better without Chris Jones. All the young pass rushers, Spag's got them working. Now they've got Worthy. Here's Hollywood Brown. Everybody, every ar oh, I hear?

Is this?

Is this?

This happened to Gronk? Oh? Where's Gronk? Every time the playoffs started January, February, Gronk. Here's Travis Kelcey, Christmas On not as much, Noah Gray. Here comes, here comes Travis Kelcey. So last nine games for Patrick Mahomes as this team is a bit more mature, deeper at wide receiver, getting healthy at the right time, pass rush with or without Chris Jones. Last nine games for Mahomes nineteen touchdowns, two picks. And here's what's amazing, flying under the radar, Baltimore MVP talk, Buffalo man, this is the year Kansas City does two things well, gets better by December and January. And here they are the dynasty in the league. It's a lot like New England Belichick and Brady and they're flying under the radar. Everybody's talking about this is the year and we're gonna win this award. And Kansas City's just winning. And now they're winning by more in the last four games, more points, more yards. It's a better version of last year's team. Now Hollywood Brown, now Worthy, now Kelsey, now Watson. They'll probably grab a running back in the graft Draft. No in Kansas City, that Boise State kit will fall to them at like thirty two. But I found New England's dynasty fascinating their efficiency. I never felt in New England, outside of the Randy Moss years, what was the best team? They just when I didn't think they had the best roster. I don't know if Kansas City has the best roster, but they've figured out the best formula to get good at Christmas and beyond. Here's Mahomes after it showed.

This happened to Gronk? Oh? Where's Gronk? Every time the playoffs started January, February, Gronk. Here's Travis Kelcey, Christmas On not as much, Noah Gray. Here comes, here comes Travis Kelcey. So last nine games for Patrick Mahomes as this team is a bit more mature, deeper at wide receiver, getting healthy at the right time, pass rush with or without Chris Jones. Last nine games for Mahomes nineteen touchdowns, two picks. And here's what's amazing, flying under the radar, Baltimore MVP talk, Buffalo man, this is the year Kansas City does two things well, gets better by December and January. And here they are the dynasty in the league. It's a lot like New England Belichick and Brady and they're flying under the radar. Everybody's talking about this is the year and we're gonna win this award. And Kansas City's just winning. And now they're winning by more in the last four games, more points, more yards. It's a better version of last year's team. Now Hollywood Brown, now Worthy, now Kelsey, now Watson. They'll probably grab a running back in the graft Draft. No in Kansas City, that Boise State kit will fall to them at like thirty two. But I found New England's dynasty fascinating their efficiency. I never felt in New England, outside of the Randy Moss years, what was the best team? They just when I didn't think they had the best roster. I don't know if Kansas City has the best roster, but they've figured out the best formula to get good at Christmas and beyond. Here's Mahomes after it showed.

The toughness of the team. I think we got better as though obviously the games were on and so the guys are there mentally tough and they're they're physically tough, and we played some really good football teams, some hard fought battles, and the guys came away with three wins. So I'll give that number one seeds important. It's I win the playoff game, and so I was happy to get that done.

The toughness of the team. I think we got better as though obviously the games were on and so the guys are there mentally tough and they're they're physically tough, and we played some really good football teams, some hard fought battles, and the guys came away with three wins. So I'll give that number one seeds important. It's I win the playoff game, and so I was happy to get that done.

All right.

All right.

Actually it was a great NBA day. Three games, all close NFL games were blowouts. We'll get to Baltimore Houston Steelers later, but listen, the one NBA thing that always works is Lebron versus Steph on Christmas. Didn't matter if he's a cav and he's a warrior, he's a Laker, he's a warrior. Great fun, great finish. Both teams could use Jimmy Butler. Get to that in a second. But whether they play together in the Olympics, or they meet four times in the finals, or they play on Christmas, it's always a good watch. Lebron's going to be forty on Monday, Steph is thirty six. They're great headliners. It would be nice if the NBA had a really tasty undercard. I feel like the NBA is clinging to Lebron and Steph like Hollywood's clinging to Tom Cruise and the Mission Impossible series. And that's okay because it's great, and you know, I love me some Lebron Stephan Mission Impossible. I do wish these two are at a championship level. This is where it gets interesting. The Lakers don't have the bench, they're not athletic enough, and they don't have enough shooters. Meanwhile, Golden State's got all the shooters they need. They could probably move one, but they don't have the size. But the Lakers do have the size. So if you consolidated do these two teams, you'd have a hell of a team. The Lakers play Denver pretty well. Now, they don't beat them a lot, but they play them well because they have size in Denver's big The Warriors have shooters, so they can match up with a Boston or an OKC or a Dallas and shoot their way to wins. So the Jimmy Butler trade talk is really interesting. So Jimmy Butler said over the last couple of days, I want out and Golden State especially is very tasty. So anything the Warriors do has to be on Steph and Draymond Green's timeline. Okay, they they want to squeeze one more championship out of this, and Jimmy Butler as a primary as a number one leaves you feeling a little disappointed, but as a two to Staph that works. Also he's on Steph Andre's timeline. Also, what's he known as a great playoff performer. He's a playmaker, he is tough, he is physical. He'd get along with Draymond and Steph. He's a leader. He has often yelled at younger teammates not ready to play. So Butler, Steph and Draymond Green is a real thing. Now, you'd have to give up kaminga who by the way, you keep waiting and waiting and waiting and it never lands. And then you'd have to give up Wiggins, who is having a pretty good year, but he's hot and cold. He had a good series against the Celtics in the final, but don't you feel like that was the peak? I think if I'm Golden State, is I'm watching Steph because I think Steph's absolutely still good enough to get to an NBA final. Would they have the depth to beat like Boston? Would they have the firepower to beat maybe a Knicks or a Philadelphia. I don't know, but I do feel Denver's not the same team. Okase is still young, chet Holmgren is he available. I don't think Minnesota is quite as good. I think the Warriors with Jimmy Butler Steph, Jimmy Butler is a second offensive option. Draymond Green got Buddy Heeled out there to hit some threes. You got Podge to hit threes. That team could get hot. Cross your fingers on health. And when you watch Steph Sizzle yesterday, my take is I'm hoping the Warrior brass watches this and realizes the truth that guy's good enough to get to the finals. You just got to find a second scoring option and stop for the Wiggins. Wiggins is a classic example. You're a championship team. If he's your fourth best player, you're a really good team. If he's your third best player, But if he's your number one player, you don't make the playoffs. And if he's your number two scoring option, you're going nowhere. And their Warriors right now are going nowhere, but they could be going somewhere. Absolutely with Jimmy Butler. So depth is nice, and they got a lot of depth, but that's neat. Depth is wonderful. The Celtics have depth, but their top seven players are excellent. That's what matters. Lebron. Meanwhile, Nice turning forty Monday says this meant more than just a win.

Actually it was a great NBA day. Three games, all close NFL games were blowouts. We'll get to Baltimore Houston Steelers later, but listen, the one NBA thing that always works is Lebron versus Steph on Christmas. Didn't matter if he's a cav and he's a warrior, he's a Laker, he's a warrior. Great fun, great finish. Both teams could use Jimmy Butler. Get to that in a second. But whether they play together in the Olympics, or they meet four times in the finals, or they play on Christmas, it's always a good watch. Lebron's going to be forty on Monday, Steph is thirty six. They're great headliners. It would be nice if the NBA had a really tasty undercard. I feel like the NBA is clinging to Lebron and Steph like Hollywood's clinging to Tom Cruise and the Mission Impossible series. And that's okay because it's great, and you know, I love me some Lebron Stephan Mission Impossible. I do wish these two are at a championship level. This is where it gets interesting. The Lakers don't have the bench, they're not athletic enough, and they don't have enough shooters. Meanwhile, Golden State's got all the shooters they need. They could probably move one, but they don't have the size. But the Lakers do have the size. So if you consolidated do these two teams, you'd have a hell of a team. The Lakers play Denver pretty well. Now, they don't beat them a lot, but they play them well because they have size in Denver's big The Warriors have shooters, so they can match up with a Boston or an OKC or a Dallas and shoot their way to wins. So the Jimmy Butler trade talk is really interesting. So Jimmy Butler said over the last couple of days, I want out and Golden State especially is very tasty. So anything the Warriors do has to be on Steph and Draymond Green's timeline. Okay, they they want to squeeze one more championship out of this, and Jimmy Butler as a primary as a number one leaves you feeling a little disappointed, but as a two to Staph that works. Also he's on Steph Andre's timeline. Also, what's he known as a great playoff performer. He's a playmaker, he is tough, he is physical. He'd get along with Draymond and Steph. He's a leader. He has often yelled at younger teammates not ready to play. So Butler, Steph and Draymond Green is a real thing. Now, you'd have to give up kaminga who by the way, you keep waiting and waiting and waiting and it never lands. And then you'd have to give up Wiggins, who is having a pretty good year, but he's hot and cold. He had a good series against the Celtics in the final, but don't you feel like that was the peak? I think if I'm Golden State, is I'm watching Steph because I think Steph's absolutely still good enough to get to an NBA final. Would they have the depth to beat like Boston? Would they have the firepower to beat maybe a Knicks or a Philadelphia. I don't know, but I do feel Denver's not the same team. Okase is still young, chet Holmgren is he available. I don't think Minnesota is quite as good. I think the Warriors with Jimmy Butler Steph, Jimmy Butler is a second offensive option. Draymond Green got Buddy Heeled out there to hit some threes. You got Podge to hit threes. That team could get hot. Cross your fingers on health. And when you watch Steph Sizzle yesterday, my take is I'm hoping the Warrior brass watches this and realizes the truth that guy's good enough to get to the finals. You just got to find a second scoring option and stop for the Wiggins. Wiggins is a classic example. You're a championship team. If he's your fourth best player, you're a really good team. If he's your third best player, But if he's your number one player, you don't make the playoffs. And if he's your number two scoring option, you're going nowhere. And their Warriors right now are going nowhere, but they could be going somewhere. Absolutely with Jimmy Butler. So depth is nice, and they got a lot of depth, but that's neat. Depth is wonderful. The Celtics have depth, but their top seven players are excellent. That's what matters. Lebron. Meanwhile, Nice turning forty Monday says this meant more than just a win.

I love the NFL.

I love the NFL.

I love NFL Christmas is our day, and it was a good day for the league. Now, did they shoot too many threes? Yes, I mean it's half the shots in the league now. And Adam Silver has you know, he has addressed that. But the Jimmy Butler stuff is percolating. Stuff gets out because somebody wants it out. So Miami wants it out. Jimmy Butler wants it out. And I think the Warriors work. There's a lot of teams in this league. People are talking Dallas. Dallas has their two scores. Luca and Kyrie don't play defense. I think that would drive Jimmy Butler mad. Steph's done a great defender, but he's willing, and Draymond's an excellent defender. It would give them the toughness and the playmaking they would need. So I'd keep your eye on that now. And then maybe this is just me root and for it to happen because I love Steph and I won't love watching the Warriors play. But if you give me Steph and Butler and Draymond and Pods and Healed and Jackson, that team can make the finals. This team can't, couldn't even beat the Lakers. Jay Mackett was a fun day. Greg co Sell is going to be joining us in forty five minutes. If you bet NFL, you play fantasy football, you want to get smarter with NFL. Greg co Sell NFL Films forty five years Absolute Monday. I thought the NBA had a really good day yesterday. Knicks were fun to watch, Wemby going off, and the Lakers Warriors was excellent.

I love NFL Christmas is our day, and it was a good day for the league. Now, did they shoot too many threes? Yes, I mean it's half the shots in the league now. And Adam Silver has you know, he has addressed that. But the Jimmy Butler stuff is percolating. Stuff gets out because somebody wants it out. So Miami wants it out. Jimmy Butler wants it out. And I think the Warriors work. There's a lot of teams in this league. People are talking Dallas. Dallas has their two scores. Luca and Kyrie don't play defense. I think that would drive Jimmy Butler mad. Steph's done a great defender, but he's willing, and Draymond's an excellent defender. It would give them the toughness and the playmaking they would need. So I'd keep your eye on that now. And then maybe this is just me root and for it to happen because I love Steph and I won't love watching the Warriors play. But if you give me Steph and Butler and Draymond and Pods and Healed and Jackson, that team can make the finals. This team can't, couldn't even beat the Lakers. Jay Mackett was a fun day. Greg co Sell is going to be joining us in forty five minutes. If you bet NFL, you play fantasy football, you want to get smarter with NFL. Greg co Sell NFL Films forty five years Absolute Monday. I thought the NBA had a really good day yesterday. Knicks were fun to watch, Wemby going off, and the Lakers Warriors was excellent.

Yeah, that Austin Reeves finished was just incredible.

Yeah, that Austin Reeves finished was just incredible.

I did not play as my guy Austin Reeves.

I did not play as my guy Austin Reeves.

I know you were like, oh.

I know you were like, oh.

J mackey, he nailed that.

J mackey, he nailed that.

Austin Reeves big time clutch Curry in the shot making. Also, you didn't mention Beyonce's halftime performance. That was pretty spectacular Texans game. That's better than anything the Texans offense did all day.

Austin Reeves big time clutch Curry in the shot making. Also, you didn't mention Beyonce's halftime performance. That was pretty spectacular Texans game. That's better than anything the Texans offense did all day.

Yeah, that the Texans now have become sort of an enigma, Like I thought Bobby Slowak was a genius and c J. Stroud was the next superstar. Talk about trending down.

Yeah, that the Texans now have become sort of an enigma, Like I thought Bobby Slowak was a genius and c J. Stroud was the next superstar. Talk about trending down.

Listen, when do we crowned CJ Stroud after one year? He does not look like even a top fifteen quarterback.

Listen, when do we crowned CJ Stroud after one year? He does not look like even a top fifteen quarterback.

So I had this conversation yesterday at one of the parties. I was at with a bunch of football fans.

So I had this conversation yesterday at one of the parties. I was at with a bunch of football fans.

One of the.

One of the.

I was at two. I was party hopping, all right, So I said this to both parties, is Bryce Young now look better than C J. Stroud? And the answer over the last five or six weeks is absolutely. Bryce looks like the number one pick. Stroud looks like the number two. So that offense is when you need to tackle in the end zone to get points on the board.

I was at two. I was party hopping, all right, So I said this to both parties, is Bryce Young now look better than C J. Stroud? And the answer over the last five or six weeks is absolutely. Bryce looks like the number one pick. Stroud looks like the number two. So that offense is when you need to tackle in the end zone to get points on the board.

And it can't because they lost Tank Dell last week. Okay, tank Dell, by the way, was great against the Chiefs till the injury. But sometimes you can't move the football.

And it can't because they lost Tank Dell last week. Okay, tank Dell, by the way, was great against the Chiefs till the injury. But sometimes you can't move the football.

Can't move it watching and they got players.

Can't move it watching and they got players.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and Noone Eastern non am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio app.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and Noone Eastern non am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio app.

Hey Steve Covino and I'm Rich David and together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You could catch us weekdays from five to seven pm Eastern two to four Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and of course the iHeartRadio app. Why should you listen to Covino and Rich. We talk about everything life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world, We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture, stories that well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends for the last twenty years and still work together.

Hey Steve Covino and I'm Rich David and together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You could catch us weekdays from five to seven pm Eastern two to four Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and of course the iHeartRadio app. Why should you listen to Covino and Rich. We talk about everything life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world, We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture, stories that well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends for the last twenty years and still work together.

I mean that says something.

I mean that says something.

Right, So check us out.

Right, So check us out.

We like to get you involved too, Take your phone calls, chop it up. As they say, I'd say, the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the.

We like to get you involved too, Take your phone calls, chop it up. As they say, I'd say, the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the.

Most interactive show on planetar.

Most interactive show on planetar.

Be sure to check out Cavino and Rich live on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app from five to seven pm Eastern two to four Pacific, And if you miss any of the live show, just search Covin on Rich wherever you get your podcasts, and of course on social media that's Covino and Rich.

Be sure to check out Cavino and Rich live on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app from five to seven pm Eastern two to four Pacific, And if you miss any of the live show, just search Covin on Rich wherever you get your podcasts, and of course on social media that's Covino and Rich.

So the Ravens crush the Houston Texans thirty one to two, and no NFL team over the last couple of years more routinely and consistently humiliates other teams in the regular season like the Ravens last couple of years, fifteen double digit wins, last eleven days, three wins, all by seventeen plus points. But this has been a great movie with a sour ending for six years in a row. I would love to see Lamar Jackson get to a super Bowl. I think he's exhilarating. I think he's a great kid. I think he's passionate. It's a really, really good organization, you know what I'm hoping the Ravens do. And I think it's happening in front of our eyes. I want you to think about this. What NBA team dominated the regular season and left us wondering if their star player was as good as everybody claimed he was. The Celtics. Like the Celtics, the Ravens, the talents there. It's a well run organization, but you were always a little little disappointed that the number one wasn't quite up to it. And they were two Jason Tatum reliant. So suddenly their number two, Jalen Brown last year sometimes was their one. And that's what slowly happening to the the Ravens. Lamar only completed ten passes yesterday, yet Derrick Henry had twenty seven carries. Lamar's gonna win the trophies in the MVP. He's more exhilarating, it's more dynamic, but quietly Lamar Jackson is only fifteenth in the league in passing attempts and probably ends up lower than that. It's not that Baltimore doesn't love Lamar, but after something doesn't work, like last year six run attempts in the playoffs, Lamar got tight. So was the play calling. So that Celtics team, like Baltimore well run Smart had a very good number one, not as good as j Matt Cape kept imploring on this show. But I kept saying, I like Jason Tatum and I like Lamar Jackson. But when the team stopped trying to funnel everything through Jason Tatum and said, let's bring into poorzingis, Let's get Jalen Brown, Moore touches, Let's move Marcus Smart who takes too many shots late, and upgrade with Drew Holiday. Tatum was still great, But they weren't Jason Tatum reliant. They were just a great team. This is what the Ravens are doing. Oh, they had Mark Andrews and Lamar Jackson, but last year they get him Zave Flowers. Now they get him Dereck Henry. Now they bring in a passing game coordinator that's a little more friendly, perhaps to the past than the run. But it feels like to me, that's what Boston did. It's not that they didn't like Tatum, but they kept losing when they became Tatum reliant in big spots, and he would lose to you know, a Steph in the finals in a big game, three at home. And so this team Dereck Henry now twenty seven, carries Lamar Jackson ten point fifteen exhilarating, nonetheless, and Lamar was happy after the.

So the Ravens crush the Houston Texans thirty one to two, and no NFL team over the last couple of years more routinely and consistently humiliates other teams in the regular season like the Ravens last couple of years, fifteen double digit wins, last eleven days, three wins, all by seventeen plus points. But this has been a great movie with a sour ending for six years in a row. I would love to see Lamar Jackson get to a super Bowl. I think he's exhilarating. I think he's a great kid. I think he's passionate. It's a really, really good organization, you know what I'm hoping the Ravens do. And I think it's happening in front of our eyes. I want you to think about this. What NBA team dominated the regular season and left us wondering if their star player was as good as everybody claimed he was. The Celtics. Like the Celtics, the Ravens, the talents there. It's a well run organization, but you were always a little little disappointed that the number one wasn't quite up to it. And they were two Jason Tatum reliant. So suddenly their number two, Jalen Brown last year sometimes was their one. And that's what slowly happening to the the Ravens. Lamar only completed ten passes yesterday, yet Derrick Henry had twenty seven carries. Lamar's gonna win the trophies in the MVP. He's more exhilarating, it's more dynamic, but quietly Lamar Jackson is only fifteenth in the league in passing attempts and probably ends up lower than that. It's not that Baltimore doesn't love Lamar, but after something doesn't work, like last year six run attempts in the playoffs, Lamar got tight. So was the play calling. So that Celtics team, like Baltimore well run Smart had a very good number one, not as good as j Matt Cape kept imploring on this show. But I kept saying, I like Jason Tatum and I like Lamar Jackson. But when the team stopped trying to funnel everything through Jason Tatum and said, let's bring into poorzingis, Let's get Jalen Brown, Moore touches, Let's move Marcus Smart who takes too many shots late, and upgrade with Drew Holiday. Tatum was still great, But they weren't Jason Tatum reliant. They were just a great team. This is what the Ravens are doing. Oh, they had Mark Andrews and Lamar Jackson, but last year they get him Zave Flowers. Now they get him Dereck Henry. Now they bring in a passing game coordinator that's a little more friendly, perhaps to the past than the run. But it feels like to me, that's what Boston did. It's not that they didn't like Tatum, but they kept losing when they became Tatum reliant in big spots, and he would lose to you know, a Steph in the finals in a big game, three at home. And so this team Dereck Henry now twenty seven, carries Lamar Jackson ten point fifteen exhilarating, nonetheless, and Lamar was happy after the.

W I believe how seasons has gone. In the regular season, he just explains how the NFL is. You know, it really really don't matter how you start off. It is how you finish. And I believe you finishing pretty well right now.

W I believe how seasons has gone. In the regular season, he just explains how the NFL is. You know, it really really don't matter how you start off. It is how you finish. And I believe you finishing pretty well right now.

You just having fun. Yeah, it's not easy.

You just having fun. Yeah, it's not easy.

NFL is not easy. I don't care what nobody say. NFL not easy, look easy.

NFL is not easy. I don't care what nobody say. NFL not easy, look easy.

But yes, this is what Baltimore does. This is what the Celtics did. They dominate the regular season and we're all absolutely sure this team this is the year. And they end up against the Warriors and the old veterans who know how to turn it on at the right time win and I and I once they moved off the Tatum and became less obsessed with getting him all the late game touches and just let him play. And I think yesterday I'm watching Lamar ten of fifteen, just letting him play. It ran through Derrick Henry. It's a better Ravens team. Thirty one to two. Christmas on the road.

But yes, this is what Baltimore does. This is what the Celtics did. They dominate the regular season and we're all absolutely sure this team this is the year. And they end up against the Warriors and the old veterans who know how to turn it on at the right time win and I and I once they moved off the Tatum and became less obsessed with getting him all the late game touches and just let him play. And I think yesterday I'm watching Lamar ten of fifteen, just letting him play. It ran through Derrick Henry. It's a better Ravens team. Thirty one to two. Christmas on the road.

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I think it's a pretty good late week of lines. I think we saw something yesterday in the NFL where the good teams are separating.

I think it's a pretty good late week of lines. I think we saw something yesterday in the NFL where the good teams are separating.

Now.

Now.

I like the Rams as a favorite. I like the Bills as a favorite. This weekend, those favorites look like they kind of separate and getting things right.

I like the Rams as a favorite. I like the Bills as a favorite. This weekend, those favorites look like they kind of separate and getting things right.

It's a weird year in the NFL. I was talking with somebody smart yesterday and it feels like maybe the kickoffs change things more. Possibly because you're getting better starting field position, the offenses are. The good teams are moving the football with these and they're taking the field goals, they're scoring, and it just feels like the bad teams just if you can't move the football this year.

It's a weird year in the NFL. I was talking with somebody smart yesterday and it feels like maybe the kickoffs change things more. Possibly because you're getting better starting field position, the offenses are. The good teams are moving the football with these and they're taking the field goals, they're scoring, and it just feels like the bad teams just if you can't move the football this year.

Well, think about this. We have ten teams now, last year it was only five. We have ten teams with five wins or less. That's the NBA. That's a massive bottom of the league. That's not that's not formidable.

Well, think about this. We have ten teams now, last year it was only five. We have ten teams with five wins or less. That's the NBA. That's a massive bottom of the league. That's not that's not formidable.

Yeah, what do you do with the Steelers?

Yeah, what do you do with the Steelers?

By the way, they crush everybody and then they play three good teams in the last like four weeks and they.

By the way, they crush everybody and then they play three good teams in the last like four weeks and they.

Get and they get destroyed. Yeah, they're they're they're right in the middle. So they're not going to get a great draft pick. Are you playing Russell Wilson?

Get and they get destroyed. Yeah, they're they're they're right in the middle. So they're not going to get a great draft pick. Are you playing Russell Wilson?

Are you sure? I know, I know.

Are you sure? I know, I know.

We talked about a good season, Colin. He's placed faced a few good last few weeks.

We talked about a good season, Colin. He's placed faced a few good last few weeks.

That's why I'll just say this before we go into my next topic. Let me just say this, you guys, and I've been critical of Aaron Rodgers. You guys, Aaron's last eight games, Russell Wilson's last eight games, Kirk Cousins last eight games. It's not close. Who's the best quarterback. It's Aaron Rodgers by a mile, give you that by a mile. And Aaron, if you look at Aaron's success. It is directly connected to Devonte Adams. I have a four part plan for the Jets next season. And by the way, I didn't like Zach Wilson. I love Darnold, I like Saul. I told you fire and Saul was a disaster. I've been right a lot with the Jets. This team, there's four moves to make, and they're all there. They're right in front of you. Their easy ones to make. Just wet my beak.

That's why I'll just say this before we go into my next topic. Let me just say this, you guys, and I've been critical of Aaron Rodgers. You guys, Aaron's last eight games, Russell Wilson's last eight games, Kirk Cousins last eight games. It's not close. Who's the best quarterback. It's Aaron Rodgers by a mile, give you that by a mile. And Aaron, if you look at Aaron's success. It is directly connected to Devonte Adams. I have a four part plan for the Jets next season. And by the way, I didn't like Zach Wilson. I love Darnold, I like Saul. I told you fire and Saul was a disaster. I've been right a lot with the Jets. This team, there's four moves to make, and they're all there. They're right in front of you. Their easy ones to make. Just wet my beak.

Are we moving off of Garrett Wilson because there's a lot of Garrett Wilson wants out stuff.

Are we moving off of Garrett Wilson because there's a lot of Garrett Wilson wants out stuff.

I'm just you're going to love the top of this next week.

I'm just you're going to love the top of this next week.

He sees what you're seeing that DeVante Adams is Aaron's guy, and Davante's numbers are up and Wilson's numbers are way down.

He sees what you're seeing that DeVante Adams is Aaron's guy, and Davante's numbers are up and Wilson's numbers are way down.

By the way, can we stop with this? Garrett Wilson isn't getting looks. Look at his target. He has more targets this year than Justin Jefferson. Can you give me a break on that?

By the way, can we stop with this? Garrett Wilson isn't getting looks. Look at his target. He has more targets this year than Justin Jefferson. Can you give me a break on that?

Well, half the season he didn't have an Adams well, not half, but a little you know, like.

Well, half the season he didn't have an Adams well, not half, but a little you know, like.

If you have more targets than Justin Jefferson, zip it. I don't want to hear about you're not getting looks. Okay, Okay, give me a break. So I have a four this may be. I mean the City of New York. Tell your friends, top of the hour. I'm bringing the heat. And I've been mister negative jet guy. But I've been right negative jet guy. There's a four way plan to do it, and all of them are right in front of you and doable in three weeks. Okay, so this is an interesting one, as I've aged gracefully. I might add, maybe I'm just defending more mature men. But let me as this. This story came out about Pete Carroll to the Bears, and everybody's like, he's seventy three. Trump's seventy eight is going to be our president. Bob Eiger runs Disney at seventy three, sharp as attack, Martin Scorsese's eighty two, Sharp as attack, Spielberg seventy eight, Warren Buffett's ninety four. One of America's great financial gurus, Lebron last night's getting double teamed on the last possession. He's going to be forty Monday. If you can play at forty, you can coach at seventy three. Nick Saban was coaching to the end in his seventies and what's fantastic. Pete Carroll is not a bad choice. Is he the best choice? He's up there. Okay, this is not an easy job. There's a lot of bureaucracy with the Bears. He is highly organized. I know that from players who had played with him and coaches that have coached with him. He is an elite organized coach. He can build a culture. We've seen that at USC, we have seen that with the Seahawks. And with the Seahawks he took a young quarterback like a Caleb Williams name Russell Wilson, and he built a run game and a defense around him, so they weren't completely reliant on Russ. In fact, when Russ wanted to cook, it's when I went sideways. My concern with Pete is not age. It really isn't. I think he has tremendous energy. He can be, in my opinion, too loyal to mediocre coordinators and assistant coaches. He was way too loyal to Ken Norton for years, and the Seahawks O lines the last three years in Seattle stunk twenty fifth twenty seventh, twenty eight and he stayed with the offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. So Pete also he likes a little say in personnel, but so does Mike Vrabel, my first choice. A lot of these coaches, they want to say in personnel. Like Jim Harbaugh right now, he wants to say in personnel. McVeigh in Los Angeles with the Rams Sean likes to say in personnel. So I'm not gonna immediately considered a negative. Some of these guys, guys, younger guys like McVeigh, or guys that have coached college and done recruiting like Pete, Carolyn Harbaugh and by the way, Vrabel Ohio State. Like these guys known personnel and they want to stay with gms. So but the idea that Pete's too old, No he's not. I'm gonna tell you something, This job is not for some whiz kid. And I'll give you an example. A year ago today, you were all telling me Bobby Slowik in Houston, he's like a Zuckerberg with a with a play sheet. They can't score points, can't score pool. Cliff Kingsbury, love him, didn't work as a head coach. You guys are all tough. Mike McDaniel, Oh boy. The media love Mike McDaniel because you know, he's kind of nerd. He liked sports writers. They all loved him. I'm watching Miami not a lot of They're there a lot of motion, and I can't beat good teams. I like him. Media loved him. I mean, honestly, media loved him. I mean I was just told this guy was It was. I mean, he was a combination of Einstein and Kyle Shanahan. It was like, oh my god, he's gonna equals mc squared on two. It was, oh my god, this guy Miami's just a team that has too much motion. So you know, I and I'm not anti defensive coach. I'm not I think a defensive coach if if he's not rigid. I mean, Pete would like to win the old fashioned way, run game and defense. You can win a lot of games this way. But the idea that oh he's seventy three. Watch Pete Carroll on the sidelines. He is wearing out that spearmint. Gum, he is wearing that thing out. He's going one hundred miles an hour. And I got movie directors and presidents and NBA players, and Brady was playing to forty five. You can coach at seventy three. Now, this all may be because as my hairs turned gray, maybe I'm supporting the more mature wisdom approves that Jmax rolling his eyes at my suggestion. But this is not this idea that, hey, this guy over here is a whiz kid. Never forget Silicon Valley. You guys all think it's all these twenty year olds. No it's not. Go see the age of Larry Ellison at Oracle and Zuckerberg and the Google guys. It's forties fifties, so we think of tech as youngsters and hipsters. No, it's not not the ones that are crushing. No, it's not. So I'll just say this. Spielberg comes out with a movie I'm In. Scorsese comes out with a movie I'm in. Old Jamack over here wants the hipster doing something on TikTok, not on gole Colin, give me a little gray hair with my coaching higher.

If you have more targets than Justin Jefferson, zip it. I don't want to hear about you're not getting looks. Okay, Okay, give me a break. So I have a four this may be. I mean the City of New York. Tell your friends, top of the hour. I'm bringing the heat. And I've been mister negative jet guy. But I've been right negative jet guy. There's a four way plan to do it, and all of them are right in front of you and doable in three weeks. Okay, so this is an interesting one, as I've aged gracefully. I might add, maybe I'm just defending more mature men. But let me as this. This story came out about Pete Carroll to the Bears, and everybody's like, he's seventy three. Trump's seventy eight is going to be our president. Bob Eiger runs Disney at seventy three, sharp as attack, Martin Scorsese's eighty two, Sharp as attack, Spielberg seventy eight, Warren Buffett's ninety four. One of America's great financial gurus, Lebron last night's getting double teamed on the last possession. He's going to be forty Monday. If you can play at forty, you can coach at seventy three. Nick Saban was coaching to the end in his seventies and what's fantastic. Pete Carroll is not a bad choice. Is he the best choice? He's up there. Okay, this is not an easy job. There's a lot of bureaucracy with the Bears. He is highly organized. I know that from players who had played with him and coaches that have coached with him. He is an elite organized coach. He can build a culture. We've seen that at USC, we have seen that with the Seahawks. And with the Seahawks he took a young quarterback like a Caleb Williams name Russell Wilson, and he built a run game and a defense around him, so they weren't completely reliant on Russ. In fact, when Russ wanted to cook, it's when I went sideways. My concern with Pete is not age. It really isn't. I think he has tremendous energy. He can be, in my opinion, too loyal to mediocre coordinators and assistant coaches. He was way too loyal to Ken Norton for years, and the Seahawks O lines the last three years in Seattle stunk twenty fifth twenty seventh, twenty eight and he stayed with the offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. So Pete also he likes a little say in personnel, but so does Mike Vrabel, my first choice. A lot of these coaches, they want to say in personnel. Like Jim Harbaugh right now, he wants to say in personnel. McVeigh in Los Angeles with the Rams Sean likes to say in personnel. So I'm not gonna immediately considered a negative. Some of these guys, guys, younger guys like McVeigh, or guys that have coached college and done recruiting like Pete, Carolyn Harbaugh and by the way, Vrabel Ohio State. Like these guys known personnel and they want to stay with gms. So but the idea that Pete's too old, No he's not. I'm gonna tell you something, This job is not for some whiz kid. And I'll give you an example. A year ago today, you were all telling me Bobby Slowik in Houston, he's like a Zuckerberg with a with a play sheet. They can't score points, can't score pool. Cliff Kingsbury, love him, didn't work as a head coach. You guys are all tough. Mike McDaniel, Oh boy. The media love Mike McDaniel because you know, he's kind of nerd. He liked sports writers. They all loved him. I'm watching Miami not a lot of They're there a lot of motion, and I can't beat good teams. I like him. Media loved him. I mean, honestly, media loved him. I mean I was just told this guy was It was. I mean, he was a combination of Einstein and Kyle Shanahan. It was like, oh my god, he's gonna equals mc squared on two. It was, oh my god, this guy Miami's just a team that has too much motion. So you know, I and I'm not anti defensive coach. I'm not I think a defensive coach if if he's not rigid. I mean, Pete would like to win the old fashioned way, run game and defense. You can win a lot of games this way. But the idea that oh he's seventy three. Watch Pete Carroll on the sidelines. He is wearing out that spearmint. Gum, he is wearing that thing out. He's going one hundred miles an hour. And I got movie directors and presidents and NBA players, and Brady was playing to forty five. You can coach at seventy three. Now, this all may be because as my hairs turned gray, maybe I'm supporting the more mature wisdom approves that Jmax rolling his eyes at my suggestion. But this is not this idea that, hey, this guy over here is a whiz kid. Never forget Silicon Valley. You guys all think it's all these twenty year olds. No it's not. Go see the age of Larry Ellison at Oracle and Zuckerberg and the Google guys. It's forties fifties, so we think of tech as youngsters and hipsters. No, it's not not the ones that are crushing. No, it's not. So I'll just say this. Spielberg comes out with a movie I'm In. Scorsese comes out with a movie I'm in. Old Jamack over here wants the hipster doing something on TikTok, not on gole Colin, give me a little gray hair with my coaching higher.

So, first of all, do I know you are.

So, first of all, do I know you are.

Close to the USC program.

Close to the USC program.

You think Pete Carroll would jump at the Bears this year, or he would wait to see what happens with Lincoln Riley.

You think Pete Carroll would jump at the Bears this year, or he would wait to see what happens with Lincoln Riley.

Lincoln Riley has nine years and a ninety million love next year, they're not buying Lincoln.

Lincoln Riley has nine years and a ninety million love next year, they're not buying Lincoln.

Out even if he flops next year.

Out even if he flops next year.

Well, the sketch is almost unfloppable. They don't play Ohio State again. The schedule. I mean, I'll say this for USC. They got the easiest Big ten schedule known to man. If I give you a Big ten schedule Ohio State, no, don't play him. Okay, that's a workable schedule. So they get they get the tough games at home next year. I don't know. They don't know LSU. They play a bunch of directional schools, so there's no LSU to start. It's three layup out of conference games. So you're buying this Pete Carroll thing.

Well, the sketch is almost unfloppable. They don't play Ohio State again. The schedule. I mean, I'll say this for USC. They got the easiest Big ten schedule known to man. If I give you a Big ten schedule Ohio State, no, don't play him. Okay, that's a workable schedule. So they get they get the tough games at home next year. I don't know. They don't know LSU. They play a bunch of directional schools, so there's no LSU to start. It's three layup out of conference games. So you're buying this Pete Carroll thing.

So there was a squabble between reporters in the NFL on this yesterday.

So there was a squabble between reporters in the NFL on this yesterday.

I'm sure he was well schefter versus Florio. Yeah, I don't know.

I'm sure he was well schefter versus Florio. Yeah, I don't know.

They were going at it over this. And you like to bring up division like Tom Brady went to the Bucks because that's an easy division to win. So seventy something year old Pete Carroll is going to coach against Lafleur and O'Connell, two of the sharpest young minds in this game.

They were going at it over this. And you like to bring up division like Tom Brady went to the Bucks because that's an easy division to win. So seventy something year old Pete Carroll is going to coach against Lafleur and O'Connell, two of the sharpest young minds in this game.

What if he has the most talented quarterback and this is not a bad roster.

What if he has the most talented quarterback and this is not a bad roster.

Hold a Caleb Williams or Who's.

Hold a Caleb Williams or Who's.

I think Caleb has more natural talent. I think Jordan Love's much better, but I think Caleb is a is What's happened with Caleb and this happens a little bit to Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen is Hey, this guy is Superman every play. It's Kansas City that has been able to create a team around mahomes where they're not reliant on mahomes except for big spots in the fourth quarter. They got spags. They got the defense. I mean they basically their defense is young, hungry, athletic, fast and healthy. So I think Caleb Williams throwing twenty four a game is the answer. That's what Pete did with Russ. I'm not saying he's the guy i'd he but I'm telling you I would sit him down. I want to see his vision, I want to see his plan. I want to hear him.

I think Caleb has more natural talent. I think Jordan Love's much better, but I think Caleb is a is What's happened with Caleb and this happens a little bit to Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen is Hey, this guy is Superman every play. It's Kansas City that has been able to create a team around mahomes where they're not reliant on mahomes except for big spots in the fourth quarter. They got spags. They got the defense. I mean they basically their defense is young, hungry, athletic, fast and healthy. So I think Caleb Williams throwing twenty four a game is the answer. That's what Pete did with Russ. I'm not saying he's the guy i'd he but I'm telling you I would sit him down. I want to see his vision, I want to see his plan. I want to hear him.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and Noone Eastern non a em Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio.

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App bringing Greg Cosell NFL films forty five years, always on Thursday. So you know, you watch Kansas City and this is what they do. They end up in January, December and January. They solve an offensive line issue. Now they've got Xavier Worthy and here's Hollywood Brown. They do a very good job. What's important to me in the media is big stories. What's important to them are the details and solving little riddles throughout the course of the season. And let's talk about Mahomes and his efficiency over the last couple of months. What's the film say.

App bringing Greg Cosell NFL films forty five years, always on Thursday. So you know, you watch Kansas City and this is what they do. They end up in January, December and January. They solve an offensive line issue. Now they've got Xavier Worthy and here's Hollywood Brown. They do a very good job. What's important to me in the media is big stories. What's important to them are the details and solving little riddles throughout the course of the season. And let's talk about Mahomes and his efficiency over the last couple of months. What's the film say.

Yeah, And I think Colin quite frankly, there's been a little misconception about the Chiefs.

Yeah, And I think Colin quite frankly, there's been a little misconception about the Chiefs.

This is a Mahomes driven offense.

This is a Mahomes driven offense.

He has the most dropbacks of any quarterback in the NFL going back nine weeks, but in his last six games he has not thrown an interception and again, most dropbacks in the league, So it's a pass first offense. There was a lot of talk early in the season about the running game that's kind of disappeared.

He has the most dropbacks of any quarterback in the NFL going back nine weeks, but in his last six games he has not thrown an interception and again, most dropbacks in the league, So it's a pass first offense. There was a lot of talk early in the season about the running game that's kind of disappeared.

It's all driven by Mahome. Homes.

It's all driven by Mahome. Homes.

They lead the NFL in third down conversions. He's phenomenon on third down. They control the ball their second in time of possession, and that becomes really important because when you control the pace and tempo of the game, your defense plays fewer snaps, and that is absolutely critical. I remember a coach telling me years ago that in an ideal world, you don't want your defense playing any more than sixty to sixty four snaps a game. And we know how good Steve Spagnolo is anyway, So now you have a complete team. But make no mistake, this is driven by Patrick Mahomes. He's playing really well. What we're not seeing and I think where people think, oh, Mahomes isn't what it used to be is we just don't see a lot of sixty our touchdown passes. But he's controlling the game with incredible efficiency.

They lead the NFL in third down conversions. He's phenomenon on third down. They control the ball their second in time of possession, and that becomes really important because when you control the pace and tempo of the game, your defense plays fewer snaps, and that is absolutely critical. I remember a coach telling me years ago that in an ideal world, you don't want your defense playing any more than sixty to sixty four snaps a game. And we know how good Steve Spagnolo is anyway, So now you have a complete team. But make no mistake, this is driven by Patrick Mahomes. He's playing really well. What we're not seeing and I think where people think, oh, Mahomes isn't what it used to be is we just don't see a lot of sixty our touchdown passes. But he's controlling the game with incredible efficiency.

So you and I both like Sam Darnold. Rough start. We always saw the playmaking. We always saw the playmaking, We always saw the big arm, but he could be reckless. Is there something the film says, though, and this is why I love bringing you on? Is there something the film says about Donald but he doesn't necessarily get a ton of credit for.

So you and I both like Sam Darnold. Rough start. We always saw the playmaking. We always saw the playmaking, We always saw the big arm, but he could be reckless. Is there something the film says, though, and this is why I love bringing you on? Is there something the film says about Donald but he doesn't necessarily get a ton of credit for.

I think there's two things and you know, Colin, because I send him my evaluations of college quarterbacks, you know I'm.

I think there's two things and you know, Colin, because I send him my evaluations of college quarterbacks, you know I'm.

A traits guy.

A traits guy.

Yes, So there's two traits that I think have really stood out with Donald that we didn't see much of early in his career. It might be his natural development, it might be the coaching. We don't know that, but there's two traits. One is pocket movement. He's much more efficient and much more effective when he moves within the pocket. I'm not talking about running out of the pocket. I'm talking about moving within the pocket, as we see on this touchdown last week that won the game to Jefferson. The other thing is sort of a corollary point to that. That's his ability to stay in the pocket and make late in the down throws when the pocket is squeezed and there's bodies around him. That was something he did not do well early in his career. He made a lot of bad reads, bad throws when he tried to do that. He's gotten so much better at that. So there are two areas of pocket play that are absolutely critical to being a higher level pocket quarterback that he's improved significantly at.

Yes, So there's two traits that I think have really stood out with Donald that we didn't see much of early in his career. It might be his natural development, it might be the coaching. We don't know that, but there's two traits. One is pocket movement. He's much more efficient and much more effective when he moves within the pocket. I'm not talking about running out of the pocket. I'm talking about moving within the pocket, as we see on this touchdown last week that won the game to Jefferson. The other thing is sort of a corollary point to that. That's his ability to stay in the pocket and make late in the down throws when the pocket is squeezed and there's bodies around him. That was something he did not do well early in his career. He made a lot of bad reads, bad throws when he tried to do that. He's gotten so much better at that. So there are two areas of pocket play that are absolutely critical to being a higher level pocket quarterback that he's improved significantly at.

Yeah, he's willing to take a hit, play a little linebacker in high school. He's a tough kid and he'll sit in there to the very end and get smoked, and I think you nailed it. So I think what's fascinating with Philadelphia. Everybody acknowledges it's a Barkley offense and Jalen throws less. But if you look at Green Bay, I'm actually seeing the same thing where it's a Josh Jacobs Lafleor offense and Jordan Love, who they like, who has excellent weapons, is throwing less. And I find it fascinating because when Laflour was in Tennessee, he had Derrick Henry and his reputation. I remember making calls people said, I don't know about creating a culture, but he likes to pound the ball, and it feels like we're finally seeing his offense.

Yeah, he's willing to take a hit, play a little linebacker in high school. He's a tough kid and he'll sit in there to the very end and get smoked, and I think you nailed it. So I think what's fascinating with Philadelphia. Everybody acknowledges it's a Barkley offense and Jalen throws less. But if you look at Green Bay, I'm actually seeing the same thing where it's a Josh Jacobs Lafleor offense and Jordan Love, who they like, who has excellent weapons, is throwing less. And I find it fascinating because when Laflour was in Tennessee, he had Derrick Henry and his reputation. I remember making calls people said, I don't know about creating a culture, but he likes to pound the ball, and it feels like we're finally seeing his offense.

Well, it's the air of the running back.

Well, it's the air of the running back.

We're gonna have probably five or six backs with over three hundred carries. We had none last year, and Josh Jacobs will be one of those backs barring an injury. And they start with the run game, and they're very multiple with their run game.

We're gonna have probably five or six backs with over three hundred carries. We had none last year, and Josh Jacobs will be one of those backs barring an injury. And they start with the run game, and they're very multiple with their run game.

That's the thing.

That's the thing.

You're seeing a lot more multiplicity with teams that run the ball, and the Packers are a great example all the use of different backfield actions. They play with two running backs, what we call the pony package. A lot of teams are doing this. The Packers are one of the teams doing it quite a bit. And they're so multiple with their run game concepts, the way they use Jaden Reid in the backfield with different motions. So it all starts with the run game. But it's not old school run game Colin, where you just line up and give it to the back and say let's bang it up in there. They're very, very multiple, a lot of different formation, looks, a lot of different personnel, a lot of different motions.

You're seeing a lot more multiplicity with teams that run the ball, and the Packers are a great example all the use of different backfield actions. They play with two running backs, what we call the pony package. A lot of teams are doing this. The Packers are one of the teams doing it quite a bit. And they're so multiple with their run game concepts, the way they use Jaden Reid in the backfield with different motions. So it all starts with the run game. But it's not old school run game Colin, where you just line up and give it to the back and say let's bang it up in there. They're very, very multiple, a lot of different formation, looks, a lot of different personnel, a lot of different motions.

You know, it's funny about Derek Henry. First couple of years, wasn't a superstar in the league. Then he develops into one, and then he goes to Baltimore and it's easy to say, well, you know, it's the of course he can run it. But they replaced three starters on the O line. It seems to me that it's it's not just that Derrick Henry's talented. It seems to me that the way they use him, it's he's getting yards before contact. A lot this year. That's what it looks like to me. He's always been good plus post contact. But what are they doing specifically to Derrick Henry, who's given it is given him kind of a rebirth in the league.

You know, it's funny about Derek Henry. First couple of years, wasn't a superstar in the league. Then he develops into one, and then he goes to Baltimore and it's easy to say, well, you know, it's the of course he can run it. But they replaced three starters on the O line. It seems to me that it's it's not just that Derrick Henry's talented. It seems to me that the way they use him, it's he's getting yards before contact. A lot this year. That's what it looks like to me. He's always been good plus post contact. But what are they doing specifically to Derrick Henry, who's given it is given him kind of a rebirth in the league.

Well, there's no question that the Lamar factor plays into that, because you have to account for Lamar in the run game. So there's no question that the way defenses have to align has to have an accounting for Lamar Jackson and that impacts run support. So it's not just as he was in Tennessee where they were just lining up and give him the ball.

Well, there's no question that the Lamar factor plays into that, because you have to account for Lamar in the run game. So there's no question that the way defenses have to align has to have an accounting for Lamar Jackson and that impacts run support. So it's not just as he was in Tennessee where they were just lining up and give him the ball.

But I think Henry as a whole. You know, It's funny.

But I think Henry as a whole. You know, It's funny.

I remember talking to a coach who was at Alabama at the time and he's now in the NFL, and I wasn't sure after two years if this was if say, Derrick Henry.

I remember talking to a coach who was at Alabama at the time and he's now in the NFL, and I wasn't sure after two years if this was if say, Derrick Henry.

Could be what he's become.

Could be what he's become.

And I'll be the first to admit I was wrong, because obviously Derrek Henry's on his way to being a Hall of Fame back. But the thing about Henry, because in a sense, he's not a power runner and that he runs over people Colin, but he's a power runner in this sense when it's blocked for three, you look up and he just got seven, and you go, how do he get seven? It didn't look like he got seven, but he just got seven. And then you add that to the fact that he can take it to the house for his size on any given play, and that combination is really hard to beat. But there's no question that the Lamar Jackson factor figures into how defenses have to align and therefore that really dictates run support issues for defenses.

And I'll be the first to admit I was wrong, because obviously Derrek Henry's on his way to being a Hall of Fame back. But the thing about Henry, because in a sense, he's not a power runner and that he runs over people Colin, but he's a power runner in this sense when it's blocked for three, you look up and he just got seven, and you go, how do he get seven? It didn't look like he got seven, but he just got seven. And then you add that to the fact that he can take it to the house for his size on any given play, and that combination is really hard to beat. But there's no question that the Lamar Jackson factor figures into how defenses have to align and therefore that really dictates run support issues for defenses.

So I want to talk about a kid because I picked Atlanta to win their division and they've beaten the Bucks twice, and you know, we were going back and forth on the show, why won't they play him? As Kirk Cousins was regressing? In My take was they wrote a big check to Kirk Cousins, and Arthur Blank probably wanted to get every start out of Kirk Cousins before they sent him to the bench. Does once you played Panicks, you're not going to go back to Cousins. What of the debut? The debut? What about it did you like?

So I want to talk about a kid because I picked Atlanta to win their division and they've beaten the Bucks twice, and you know, we were going back and forth on the show, why won't they play him? As Kirk Cousins was regressing? In My take was they wrote a big check to Kirk Cousins, and Arthur Blank probably wanted to get every start out of Kirk Cousins before they sent him to the bench. Does once you played Panicks, you're not going to go back to Cousins. What of the debut? The debut? What about it did you like?

Well, You've always talked about this with quarterbacks Colin about coaching, and I thought this was a great example the kids making his first start, You and I both love his talent. We know we can throw the ball, we know we can sit on his back foot and drive it with velocity.

Well, You've always talked about this with quarterbacks Colin about coaching, and I thought this was a great example the kids making his first start, You and I both love his talent. We know we can throw the ball, we know we can sit on his back foot and drive it with velocity.

We know what his traits are.

We know what his traits are.

But what they did exceptionally well, you're almost seeing it on this play right here that we're looking at. Is there an outside zone foundation run team with Vjon Robinson another back by the way, he might get three hundred carries.

But what they did exceptionally well, you're almost seeing it on this play right here that we're looking at. Is there an outside zone foundation run team with Vjon Robinson another back by the way, he might get three hundred carries.

So what they did is.

So what they did is.

They countered off that beautifully with the play action and the play action.

They countered off that beautifully with the play action and the play action.

Boot pass game.

Boot pass game.

So they use their outside Zone run foundation to really help Penix get comfortable in the game and define the reds and the throws and the thing that he does really well, and there's not a lot of quarterbacks who do this. He throws outside the numbers really well, and there's a lot of juice on those throws. And obviously he can throw between the numbers, I mean, those are easier throws relatively speaking, But to drive the ball outside the numbers, he can do that, and he can just sit on his back foot and do that. Yeah, he does not necessarily need to stride into those throws.

So they use their outside Zone run foundation to really help Penix get comfortable in the game and define the reds and the throws and the thing that he does really well, and there's not a lot of quarterbacks who do this. He throws outside the numbers really well, and there's a lot of juice on those throws. And obviously he can throw between the numbers, I mean, those are easier throws relatively speaking, But to drive the ball outside the numbers, he can do that, and he can just sit on his back foot and do that. Yeah, he does not necessarily need to stride into those throws.

Yeah, no, he's got an arm. So this past week on Monday, Matt Hasselbeck said something interesting. He said, you know, Caleb's not an anticipatory thrower, and he goes, I think you have to be in this league and some guys can develop into it. But you have been higher on Caleb even during his losing streak. There's a lot to like. Let's address that anticipatory thing, because I thought Hasselbeck was willing to say it, and I think it's true. I now watch him when he plays and that some guys you got to be opener. I won't let it rip. What do you make of that criticism?

Yeah, no, he's got an arm. So this past week on Monday, Matt Hasselbeck said something interesting. He said, you know, Caleb's not an anticipatory thrower, and he goes, I think you have to be in this league and some guys can develop into it. But you have been higher on Caleb even during his losing streak. There's a lot to like. Let's address that anticipatory thing, because I thought Hasselbeck was willing to say it, and I think it's true. I now watch him when he plays and that some guys you got to be opener. I won't let it rip. What do you make of that criticism?

Right, I think it's fair. And don't forget he's got a big arm. He throws a really tight spiral. The ball comes out so at times he can compensate for that. But the film shows is when he sees it and the primary is clean.

Right, I think it's fair. And don't forget he's got a big arm. He throws a really tight spiral. The ball comes out so at times he can compensate for that. But the film shows is when he sees it and the primary is clean.

Man, does he look good.

Man, does he look good.

He made two throws at the end of the first half last week, a dig ball to more for about twenty five yards, and then he threw the touchdown to Keenan Allen, and those throws were defined, They were clean. They were the primary reads on those throws. When he sees it that way, he looks really good. But I think one reason he doesn't throw a lot of interceptions. Colin hasn't thrown one in a long time. Is if he doesn't see it, he's not gonna throw it because he just doesn't feel it that way. Now, I don't know how Matt Hasselbeck feels.

He made two throws at the end of the first half last week, a dig ball to more for about twenty five yards, and then he threw the touchdown to Keenan Allen, and those throws were defined, They were clean. They were the primary reads on those throws. When he sees it that way, he looks really good. But I think one reason he doesn't throw a lot of interceptions. Colin hasn't thrown one in a long time. Is if he doesn't see it, he's not gonna throw it because he just doesn't feel it that way. Now, I don't know how Matt Hasselbeck feels.

I think that coaches would say, you can improve that to some degree.

I think that coaches would say, you can improve that to some degree.

But you're not going to take a guy who's not an innate anticipation thrower and make him Joe Burrow. That's not gonna happen. So you know, you sort of have to work around that. But he's got really high level throwing traits, and obviously we know he's got some movement ability. The other thing he needs to work on is he needs to work on moving within the pocket. And that's a totally different trade than running out of the pocket, which he can be pretty good at. He's got a feel when he moves out of the pocket, pretty good spatial awareness because the sacks have to come down.

But you're not going to take a guy who's not an innate anticipation thrower and make him Joe Burrow. That's not gonna happen. So you know, you sort of have to work around that. But he's got really high level throwing traits, and obviously we know he's got some movement ability. The other thing he needs to work on is he needs to work on moving within the pocket. And that's a totally different trade than running out of the pocket, which he can be pretty good at. He's got a feel when he moves out of the pocket, pretty good spatial awareness because the sacks have to come down.

There's too many sacks. Okay.

There's too many sacks. Okay.

A team that's getting red hot is the Rams. It's interesting. Stafford's older and they have struggled in the first half. And I've said, you know, I was telling a friend a couple of nights ago, I'm like, is it a Stafford's not warmed up thing? Does he need to get to the fifth inning? But they usually he's not getting sacked, they're not turning it over. Finally, now with Tyler Higbee back, everybody's ready to go on offense. But yet it's the defense with a lot of first, second, and third round draft picks that have all hit, all hit. Yeh, so to talk about because I don't know if this defense it's really really young, but when I watch it, I mean, this week they play Arizona and both Arizona's offensive tackles are out, so it could be a feast. What do you make of the Rams defense?

A team that's getting red hot is the Rams. It's interesting. Stafford's older and they have struggled in the first half. And I've said, you know, I was telling a friend a couple of nights ago, I'm like, is it a Stafford's not warmed up thing? Does he need to get to the fifth inning? But they usually he's not getting sacked, they're not turning it over. Finally, now with Tyler Higbee back, everybody's ready to go on offense. But yet it's the defense with a lot of first, second, and third round draft picks that have all hit, all hit. Yeh, so to talk about because I don't know if this defense it's really really young, but when I watch it, I mean, this week they play Arizona and both Arizona's offensive tackles are out, so it could be a feast. What do you make of the Rams defense?

I really like what they've done. They've eight of their last ten.

I really like what they've done. They've eight of their last ten.

Okay, in those last ten games, no team in the NFL has played more with six defensive backs what we call dime than the Rams. That has really been their foundation. They play a ton out of dime. They play with Jalen McCullough, who's a rookie safety. They play with Kitchens, the rookie from the University of Miami. They even play what we call big nickel with three safeties a lot. I mean, this is a safety driven defense with a front four that's young and improving. And I have to tell you when you watch Jared Verse play and we're seeing him here, his speed to power for a young player may be as good as any in the league.