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 Sportsradio 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. Ah, we are ready to roll. We got the playoffs in hand, 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. Matt Hasselbeck's going to be joining us here, which I can't wait for. Reschedule your day when we get Matt Hasselbak in studio. It's money. Colin Wright, Colin Wrong one hour from now, so listen to. The playoffs are set. We're gonna break all that stuff down. J McK and I are already disagreeing on the rams and the vikings. Which is a fantastic opening game, like that is Stafford against Aaron Donald in Los Angeles.

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 Sportsradio 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. Ah, we are ready to roll. We got the playoffs in hand, 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. Matt Hasselbeck's going to be joining us here, which I can't wait for. Reschedule your day when we get Matt Hasselbak in studio. It's money. Colin Wright, Colin Wrong one hour from now, so listen to. The playoffs are set. We're gonna break all that stuff down. J McK and I are already disagreeing on the rams and the vikings. Which is a fantastic opening game, like that is Stafford against Aaron Donald in Los Angeles.

They have to get a duke it for that wit part slate. I love it, oh, I already bet four games. Love it it is great. So let's start with this. The Lions now have clinched the number one seed in the NFC. There is no denying for this city, for this roster, for this locker room, and for this time. Dan Campbell's the perfect coach. A team with twelve defensive players alone on the ir could have only pulled through this and clinched the number one seed with a head coach who's unapologetically alpha, a motivator that preaches grit and biting kneecaps. Sometimes the NFL messaging from coaches can seem a little cringey or cheesy. Not to the players, there is a brotherhood and a masculinity that I'll be honest. I like people have been paralyzed playing this sport. Sometimes you just have to play through pain. You got to play hurt, and one guy in a locker room second guessing the message can unravel the whole thing in a way. It's like the Anti NBA League. You have to be selfless and you have to play hurt every week. The Lions clinched a playoff spot on December fifth. With all those injuries to seemingly the entire defensive roster, they could have packed it in, let's get healthy and Nope, not with this team, not with this coach. They fought tooth and nail last week. Everybody said that Niner game didn't mean anything. I totally disagreed.

They have to get a duke it for that wit part slate. I love it, oh, I already bet four games. Love it it is great. So let's start with this. The Lions now have clinched the number one seed in the NFC. There is no denying for this city, for this roster, for this locker room, and for this time. Dan Campbell's the perfect coach. A team with twelve defensive players alone on the ir could have only pulled through this and clinched the number one seed with a head coach who's unapologetically alpha, a motivator that preaches grit and biting kneecaps. Sometimes the NFL messaging from coaches can seem a little cringey or cheesy. Not to the players, there is a brotherhood and a masculinity that I'll be honest. I like people have been paralyzed playing this sport. Sometimes you just have to play through pain. You got to play hurt, and one guy in a locker room second guessing the message can unravel the whole thing in a way. It's like the Anti NBA League. You have to be selfless and you have to play hurt every week. The Lions clinched a playoff spot on December fifth. With all those injuries to seemingly the entire defensive roster, they could have packed it in, let's get healthy and Nope, not with this team, not with this coach. They fought tooth and nail last week. Everybody said that Niner game didn't mean anything. I totally disagreed.

It was a chance to get backups reps against Sam Darnold and the Vikings. The Detroit Lions are a symbol of so many things that are great about the NFL. Every game matters. Grit and toughness, which our society can always use, is really paramount and again unapologetically alpha. I mean, New England had the number one pick going into the weekend. They played themselves out of it. There is no tanking. Nobody will even consider it, and it's why the NFL remains king and separates from the rest of our professional sports. Dan Campbell on a weekly basis after winning, is almost in tears preaching the message and his devotion to the city of Detroit and the Lions. This coach, for this team in this time and this roster and this wacky season with currently twelve players on the ir defensively needed a completely unapologetic alpha and the message to guys like me at the kneecaps at the podium and I'm rolling my eyes. The players aren't They totally bought into it. The number one see this is the Chicago Cubs in shoulder pads. That's what it feels like. The easiest dominant team. And go back to September, October, early November, it was like college. They were rolling people. But it is the easiest, most dominant, physical team to root for I can remember. And here's the one guy, the one perfect fit. After the win, you guys.

It was a chance to get backups reps against Sam Darnold and the Vikings. The Detroit Lions are a symbol of so many things that are great about the NFL. Every game matters. Grit and toughness, which our society can always use, is really paramount and again unapologetically alpha. I mean, New England had the number one pick going into the weekend. They played themselves out of it. There is no tanking. Nobody will even consider it, and it's why the NFL remains king and separates from the rest of our professional sports. Dan Campbell on a weekly basis after winning, is almost in tears preaching the message and his devotion to the city of Detroit and the Lions. This coach, for this team in this time and this roster and this wacky season with currently twelve players on the ir defensively needed a completely unapologetic alpha and the message to guys like me at the kneecaps at the podium and I'm rolling my eyes. The players aren't They totally bought into it. The number one see this is the Chicago Cubs in shoulder pads. That's what it feels like. The easiest dominant team. And go back to September, October, early November, it was like college. They were rolling people. But it is the easiest, most dominant, physical team to root for I can remember. And here's the one guy, the one perfect fit. After the win, you guys.

Look like you remember who you are.

Look like you remember who you are.

I'm that's a helpful win. Guys.

I'm that's a helpful win. Guys.

All I can think about is, man, we've been forcing this stuff.

All I can think about is, man, we've been forcing this stuff.

Now.

Now.

This has been three years in the making, some of it four.

This has been three years in the making, some of it four.

But that just doesn't happen.

But that just doesn't happen.

You got to work through it and grind through it and go through the downs to get to the ups.

You got to work through it and grind through it and go through the downs to get to the ups.

And where we're at.

And where we're at.

That was unbelievable.

That was unbelievable.

Man Division winners back to backseats.

Man Division winners back to backseats.

If you're not from Detroit, you may not get it. You think it's a little cheesy. Oh give me a break. But if you're from Detroit, you're a Lions fan, you're part of the culture, and you watch teams around this league. You if you think this stuff's over the top, the Bears need that the Titans need that, the Jaguars need that, the Chargers needed it and hired it. This is not a marketing campaign. This is completely, absolutely authentically Dan Campbell the perfect fit for this city and this team. All right, let's talk Sam Donald. Oh, I know, let me guess you're all bailing on Sammy. Okay. So, first of all, that was the biggest game in Detroit in probably fifty years. And there's an argument that the two best coordinators in the entire league both play for Detroit, Ben Johnson Aaron Glenn, and Detroit's got a better roster and they got one of their defensive starters back. And this is a baby step league. And Sam Donald looked juiced, he looked a little overwhelmed. He probably couldn't hear. He was inaccurate and high in all his passes. But across the Jared Golf's first big playoff game, and this did feel like a playoff game. I mean, it's the biggest game in Detroit in five decades. It felt like a playoff. Mike Trico was coming out of a suit. Jared Goff's first playoff game at home, seventy eight passer rating. Peyton Manning's first playoff game, completed forty five percent of his throws. This has always been kind of a baby steps league. Last year, at this time, Sam Darnold, who was viewed as a bust, was starting a meaningless game as a backup for the forty nine ers. And then there's yesterday, in the biggest game against arguably the best roster in the loudest field. You weren't winning that game. Minnesota was not winning that game. That's just one of those games. I looked at the playoffs this weekend. I looked at Denver at Buffalo. I love Sean Payton. That is a tough draw. There are games a handful every year where even a good team goes on the road and you're like, yeah, yeah, they're not gonna win that game. That's a standalone game. This was the only NFL game that everybody was watching. Sam Darnold is just twenty seven years old. Now they go to Los Angeles. Their receiving corps is a great matchup against the Rams. Young secondary. Don't be shocked if the Rams draft a cornerback with their number one pick. They don't have a corner. They don't have a shutdown corner. And this is the deepest receiving corp in the league, and it'll be fifty percent Viking fans. And my gut feeling is Minnesota is to play here. J Mack disagrees, but it felt like a playoff game to me. It had that kind of feel. It was one of those you know, you don't get the NFL is always entertaining, but there are a handful of games late in the season and you're like, you know, when the NFL schedules like Burrow and Mahomes in Week seventeen and you're like, oh, that feels I'll give you an example. The Steelers Bengals on Saturday night felt like a playoff game. And that's a Saturday playoff game before a playoff game. And there's a reason restaurants have soft opens, right, Like, you're not quite ready for the moment. I just don't think Sam and the Vikings, this young, fun team were ready for the moment. And here's the coach affter.

If you're not from Detroit, you may not get it. You think it's a little cheesy. Oh give me a break. But if you're from Detroit, you're a Lions fan, you're part of the culture, and you watch teams around this league. You if you think this stuff's over the top, the Bears need that the Titans need that, the Jaguars need that, the Chargers needed it and hired it. This is not a marketing campaign. This is completely, absolutely authentically Dan Campbell the perfect fit for this city and this team. All right, let's talk Sam Donald. Oh, I know, let me guess you're all bailing on Sammy. Okay. So, first of all, that was the biggest game in Detroit in probably fifty years. And there's an argument that the two best coordinators in the entire league both play for Detroit, Ben Johnson Aaron Glenn, and Detroit's got a better roster and they got one of their defensive starters back. And this is a baby step league. And Sam Donald looked juiced, he looked a little overwhelmed. He probably couldn't hear. He was inaccurate and high in all his passes. But across the Jared Golf's first big playoff game, and this did feel like a playoff game. I mean, it's the biggest game in Detroit in five decades. It felt like a playoff. Mike Trico was coming out of a suit. Jared Goff's first playoff game at home, seventy eight passer rating. Peyton Manning's first playoff game, completed forty five percent of his throws. This has always been kind of a baby steps league. Last year, at this time, Sam Darnold, who was viewed as a bust, was starting a meaningless game as a backup for the forty nine ers. And then there's yesterday, in the biggest game against arguably the best roster in the loudest field. You weren't winning that game. Minnesota was not winning that game. That's just one of those games. I looked at the playoffs this weekend. I looked at Denver at Buffalo. I love Sean Payton. That is a tough draw. There are games a handful every year where even a good team goes on the road and you're like, yeah, yeah, they're not gonna win that game. That's a standalone game. This was the only NFL game that everybody was watching. Sam Darnold is just twenty seven years old. Now they go to Los Angeles. Their receiving corps is a great matchup against the Rams. Young secondary. Don't be shocked if the Rams draft a cornerback with their number one pick. They don't have a corner. They don't have a shutdown corner. And this is the deepest receiving corp in the league, and it'll be fifty percent Viking fans. And my gut feeling is Minnesota is to play here. J Mack disagrees, but it felt like a playoff game to me. It had that kind of feel. It was one of those you know, you don't get the NFL is always entertaining, but there are a handful of games late in the season and you're like, you know, when the NFL schedules like Burrow and Mahomes in Week seventeen and you're like, oh, that feels I'll give you an example. The Steelers Bengals on Saturday night felt like a playoff game. And that's a Saturday playoff game before a playoff game. And there's a reason restaurants have soft opens, right, Like, you're not quite ready for the moment. I just don't think Sam and the Vikings, this young, fun team were ready for the moment. And here's the coach affter.

You know, we didn't do a lot of the things that we've consistently done in all season long, and this game came down to, you know, finishing in the red zone, weady downs, third downs, you know, pitching and catching and got to, you know, find different ways to help guys get open and when there are guys to potentially you know, throw and catch, we've got to be able to do that. We've done it at a very high level this year and just didn't really show up on the weighty downs.

You know, we didn't do a lot of the things that we've consistently done in all season long, and this game came down to, you know, finishing in the red zone, weady downs, third downs, you know, pitching and catching and got to, you know, find different ways to help guys get open and when there are guys to potentially you know, throw and catch, we've got to be able to do that. We've done it at a very high level this year and just didn't really show up on the weighty downs.

Yep. Sam Darnold twice was high on Justin Jefferson throws. Absolutely, no question about it. You see this. Sometimes first big games for quarterbacks, they looked tight. I mean that was the knock on Peyton Manning for years in the NFL that he was a teeth clencher, that he was great and productive, he'd get into big games and he was too tight. And I thought Sam looked tight. But again, this was a guy that was a bust a year ago, that was starting for the Niners in Week eighteen, a year ago to the biggest game in Detroit in fifty years. It wasn't going to be his night. I said last week. I like the Lions. They have the better roster. It's a bigger game, it means more. I know, it's two fourteen win teams playing for a number one seed. It just felt like it felt like Detroit to night. That's what it felt like to me. And you're saying, well, Colin, it's not a playoff game. It's looked like it and felt like it to me. I'm watching collins Worth in Mike Tariko and those guys were bursting through the suits. That thing felt like the biggest game in a long time. So there you go, J Mack. We have so many things to talk about today. For the first time in my adult life, I believe something's true in the NFL. Get to that in a second. You and I'll talk about the wild card schedule. Denver at Buffalo, talk about a tough draw.

Yep. Sam Darnold twice was high on Justin Jefferson throws. Absolutely, no question about it. You see this. Sometimes first big games for quarterbacks, they looked tight. I mean that was the knock on Peyton Manning for years in the NFL that he was a teeth clencher, that he was great and productive, he'd get into big games and he was too tight. And I thought Sam looked tight. But again, this was a guy that was a bust a year ago, that was starting for the Niners in Week eighteen, a year ago to the biggest game in Detroit in fifty years. It wasn't going to be his night. I said last week. I like the Lions. They have the better roster. It's a bigger game, it means more. I know, it's two fourteen win teams playing for a number one seed. It just felt like it felt like Detroit to night. That's what it felt like to me. And you're saying, well, Colin, it's not a playoff game. It's looked like it and felt like it to me. I'm watching collins Worth in Mike Tariko and those guys were bursting through the suits. That thing felt like the biggest game in a long time. So there you go, J Mack. We have so many things to talk about today. For the first time in my adult life, I believe something's true in the NFL. Get to that in a second. You and I'll talk about the wild card schedule. Denver at Buffalo, talk about a tough draw.

Do you see that it's not even a double digits spread in that game. It's I I'm stunned. Denver plus eight and a half.

Do you see that it's not even a double digits spread in that game. It's I I'm stunned. Denver plus eight and a half.

You're not doing that, are you? Oh my no, No, I'm just saying that's a lot of points for a very good coach and a very good defense. There are games that you look at and go, yeah, there's a tough draw for Denver, right like again, Baby Steps League. We don't expect Denver to go in there with a dead cap, money and bo Nicks and win that game. That's that's not like a winnable game. If if it ended up being thirty twenty and Denver played well, you'd fly home thinking I can't wait for next year.

You're not doing that, are you? Oh my no, No, I'm just saying that's a lot of points for a very good coach and a very good defense. There are games that you look at and go, yeah, there's a tough draw for Denver, right like again, Baby Steps League. We don't expect Denver to go in there with a dead cap, money and bo Nicks and win that game. That's that's not like a winnable game. If if it ended up being thirty twenty and Denver played well, you'd fly home thinking I can't wait for next year.

Like that.

Like that.

There are certain games that just feel like, yeah, it's gonna go a certain way. The game that's fascinating this weekend, and I don't know quite Tampa Washington, Oh okay, yeah, that is a I I that's a question mark game for me. I could see several outcomes in that game.

There are certain games that just feel like, yeah, it's gonna go a certain way. The game that's fascinating this weekend, and I don't know quite Tampa Washington, Oh okay, yeah, that is a I I that's a question mark game for me. I could see several outcomes in that game.

So sometimes, like the Raven Steelers they just played like a few weeks ago, you could take something out of that game. I don't think you could take anything out of the Tampa Washington season opener.

So sometimes, like the Raven Steelers they just played like a few weeks ago, you could take something out of that game. I don't think you could take anything out of the Tampa Washington season opener.

It was James Daniel's first career start.

It was James Daniel's first career start.

Yeah, they're a different team now.

Yeah, they're a different team now.

That's that's gonna be an and Tampa's kind of beat up in the secondary.

That's that's gonna be an and Tampa's kind of beat up in the secondary.

I don't remember a first round and I'm serious. You know, Houston plays the Saturday three thirty game, but this year they get Harbaugh Herbert. I do not remember a first round matchup with all games being this good, with this many star quarterbacks. I get Stafford against Darnold Herbert, C. J. Stroud, Bo Nicks, who, by the way, go look at his stats like Week eight on the guy was incredible. Jaden Daniels, Baker, Jordan Loved, Jalen Hurts. Dude, there's some there are some matchups. Matchups.

I don't remember a first round and I'm serious. You know, Houston plays the Saturday three thirty game, but this year they get Harbaugh Herbert. I do not remember a first round matchup with all games being this good, with this many star quarterbacks. I get Stafford against Darnold Herbert, C. J. Stroud, Bo Nicks, who, by the way, go look at his stats like Week eight on the guy was incredible. Jaden Daniels, Baker, Jordan Loved, Jalen Hurts. Dude, there's some there are some matchups. Matchups.

Yeah, okay, sounds like you're gonna talk yourself ats some underdogs here.

Yeah, okay, sounds like you're gonna talk yourself ats some underdogs here.

That's camin for me. Well this year, no, I mean you start looking at these games. This is as good as it gets. We have one game where we look at and go, yeah, Buffalo is gonna win. But I get Sean Payton in the game. I get arguably a better defense in the game. And here's the utter thing. What if it's snow and sideways that hurts the star quarterback? Not the better deal they did. Look out, there is gonna be snow in Buffalo Saturday.

That's camin for me. Well this year, no, I mean you start looking at these games. This is as good as it gets. We have one game where we look at and go, yeah, Buffalo is gonna win. But I get Sean Payton in the game. I get arguably a better defense in the game. And here's the utter thing. What if it's snow and sideways that hurts the star quarterback? Not the better deal they did. Look out, there is gonna be snow in Buffalo Saturday.

There's only a little snow calling for Sunday, and it worked six days out. A lot can happen. I'm surprised you haven't mentioned Packers Eagles. That's the one game that is the best game of the weekend. And I don't know what the deal is with aka A Jordan Love and b Jalen Hurts. I mean, Jalen Hurts was still in concusion protocol. I think last week. Yeah, what Jordan Love will play?

There's only a little snow calling for Sunday, and it worked six days out. A lot can happen. I'm surprised you haven't mentioned Packers Eagles. That's the one game that is the best game of the weekend. And I don't know what the deal is with aka A Jordan Love and b Jalen Hurts. I mean, Jalen Hurts was still in concusion protocol. I think last week. Yeah, what Jordan Love will play?

Okay, no, Christian Watson looks like man. Even the second tier Games Chargers Texans. It's gonna be fantastic, hard boss first year the playoff right justin Herbert's first playoff win.

Okay, no, Christian Watson looks like man. Even the second tier Games Chargers Texans. It's gonna be fantastic, hard boss first year the playoff right justin Herbert's first playoff win.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays at noon eastern nine am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio app.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays at noon eastern nine 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.

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.

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Why should you listen to Covino and Rich.

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We talk about everything life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world.

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.

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, right, So check us out.

And the fact that we've been friends for the last twenty years and still work together. I mean that says something, right, So check us out.

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That's Covino and Rich. Here we go. It's hour two, gonna be a tasty one 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. Matt hassel Beck, he does us about once every five weeks or so, shits down with us for a good twenty twenty five minutes. I can't wait for that. He's got so many thoughts on this Yesterday where and there was only a handful of NFL games that truly mattered. There were a lot of backups, which is another reason I don't like the NFL expanding to eighteen games, because we already got to the seventeenth game and it was kind of like he had about two games. You had to watch one of them. Last night j mac Albert Breer last Hour as well, We're gonna go Jay McK and I are going to go through some of the coaching openings. We're also going to go through the games we like you like you like the Rams hosting the Vikings. I feel very strongly about the Vikings matchup on their perimeter against the Rams. Is there a game off the top that you really like?

That's Covino and Rich. Here we go. It's hour two, gonna be a tasty one 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. Matt hassel Beck, he does us about once every five weeks or so, shits down with us for a good twenty twenty five minutes. I can't wait for that. He's got so many thoughts on this Yesterday where and there was only a handful of NFL games that truly mattered. There were a lot of backups, which is another reason I don't like the NFL expanding to eighteen games, because we already got to the seventeenth game and it was kind of like he had about two games. You had to watch one of them. Last night j mac Albert Breer last Hour as well, We're gonna go Jay McK and I are going to go through some of the coaching openings. We're also going to go through the games we like you like you like the Rams hosting the Vikings. I feel very strongly about the Vikings matchup on their perimeter against the Rams. Is there a game off the top that you really like?

I I rationally like many games this weekend, including the college football by the way, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, all with playoff college football or NFL games.

I I rationally like many games this weekend, including the college football by the way, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, all with playoff college football or NFL games.

How good is that?

How good is that?

Colin?

Colin?

I guess my favorite bet of the week so far is Rams money line. I think they went out right. I can't believe the Vikings are favored in this spot. Did you see Donald when he has to hold the ball? And I know Hasselbeck will talk about it, but like when Donald has to hold ball and think and come off his reads, he's not great.

I guess my favorite bet of the week so far is Rams money line. I think they went out right. I can't believe the Vikings are favored in this spot. Did you see Donald when he has to hold the ball? And I know Hasselbeck will talk about it, but like when Donald has to hold ball and think and come off his reads, he's not great.

He was eighteen of forty one last night. Yeah, it was not good.

He was eighteen of forty one last night. Yeah, it was not good.

And that was against a shoddy Lions defense.

And that was against a shoddy Lions defense.

I think the Rams defense is gonna be better.

I think the Rams defense is gonna be better.

They slowed dartled in the initial meeting, remember that one out here at so far?

They slowed dartled in the initial meeting, remember that one out here at so far?

Yeah? I like Rams all right, let's do it every Monday at this time. Colin right, Colin wrong, plenty of both.

Yeah? I like Rams all right, let's do it every Monday at this time. Colin right, Colin wrong, plenty of both.

Here we go where Colin was right to.

Here we go where Colin was right to.

Double right Bo Knicks and the Broncos. I said the Broncos would double the win total Vegas thought, and I thought Bo Nicks would be a home run. He finished the season six in the NFL and touchdown passes and it's the most among rookies, second most touchdown passes by a rookie ever, eighteen for eighteen to start the game against Kansas City. His maturity, his athletic ability, his experience. I didn't get him kind of being ignored and considered a second class, second tier quarterback in the draft. I didn't get it at all. I watched him at Auburn, I watched him at Oregon. He went through multitude of coordinators and was good with all of them. Bo Nicks is a right where Colin was raw. You know what, Nick Sirianni drives me nuts. But you know in his three years as a coach, they've won fourteen, eleven and fourteen. You know, these skirmishes on the sidelines with fans battling his own staff, you know, it feels like he has to be a chaperone on a weekly basis. But there is something about his message and his personality that resonates in the NFL that I clearly am missing on. I thought his opening press conference was brutal. I'm still surprised they're this good. I think it's more of a GM than a coach story. But I'm wrong on it because the dude keeps winning. Where Colin was right, I said last January when Girod Mayo got the Patriots job, it feels like adding a new chapter to the same old book, you know, young quarterback, defensive coach. I just never felt this was the right higher. I thought they may retain him because they were so embarrassed by it. But I read a lot of Boston writers and listen to Boston radio, and you know, situationally, circumstantially, he was over his head. You know, Bill Junior was his nickname. You know, his only real influence was Belichick, And I think once Bill left, you were probably better served to go on the offensive route. But I also think Mike Rabel would be a good fit. But I never loved this higher. Where Colin was raw, well, it's the Atlanta Falcons. I've never been right. I had him winning the division. I thought Kirk Cousins was a good signing. He ended up tied for the NFL lead in picks and he only played fourteen games. I like Raheem Morris over Belichick. They started six and three, they beat the Buccaneers twice, and then just regressed quickly and badly. This is an organization that does a lot right, but it does feel like and certain organizations are like this that they kind of shrink in big spots. And that's always sort of been the reason why I've lost my four oh one K several times betting the Atlanta Falcons.

Double right Bo Knicks and the Broncos. I said the Broncos would double the win total Vegas thought, and I thought Bo Nicks would be a home run. He finished the season six in the NFL and touchdown passes and it's the most among rookies, second most touchdown passes by a rookie ever, eighteen for eighteen to start the game against Kansas City. His maturity, his athletic ability, his experience. I didn't get him kind of being ignored and considered a second class, second tier quarterback in the draft. I didn't get it at all. I watched him at Auburn, I watched him at Oregon. He went through multitude of coordinators and was good with all of them. Bo Nicks is a right where Colin was raw. You know what, Nick Sirianni drives me nuts. But you know in his three years as a coach, they've won fourteen, eleven and fourteen. You know, these skirmishes on the sidelines with fans battling his own staff, you know, it feels like he has to be a chaperone on a weekly basis. But there is something about his message and his personality that resonates in the NFL that I clearly am missing on. I thought his opening press conference was brutal. I'm still surprised they're this good. I think it's more of a GM than a coach story. But I'm wrong on it because the dude keeps winning. Where Colin was right, I said last January when Girod Mayo got the Patriots job, it feels like adding a new chapter to the same old book, you know, young quarterback, defensive coach. I just never felt this was the right higher. I thought they may retain him because they were so embarrassed by it. But I read a lot of Boston writers and listen to Boston radio, and you know, situationally, circumstantially, he was over his head. You know, Bill Junior was his nickname. You know, his only real influence was Belichick, And I think once Bill left, you were probably better served to go on the offensive route. But I also think Mike Rabel would be a good fit. But I never loved this higher. Where Colin was raw, well, it's the Atlanta Falcons. I've never been right. I had him winning the division. I thought Kirk Cousins was a good signing. He ended up tied for the NFL lead in picks and he only played fourteen games. I like Raheem Morris over Belichick. They started six and three, they beat the Buccaneers twice, and then just regressed quickly and badly. This is an organization that does a lot right, but it does feel like and certain organizations are like this that they kind of shrink in big spots. And that's always sort of been the reason why I've lost my four oh one K several times betting the Atlanta Falcons.

Where Colin was right.

Where Colin was right.

I'm not sure there's a bigger fan in the world of Justin Herbert or Jim Harbaugh than myself, and they're now together. I felt they'd win ten or eleven games. I didn't know if they'd make the playoffs because of Mahomes and Reid. But you know, I just watching this game yesterday. They just figure out ways to win. Harbaugh and have a bad first half, and then they reset the chairs and they have a good second half. They've got a grit and a toughness. It's the first time ever the Chargers have led the NFL and defense. They've always been finesse and fun to watch, then aesthetically pleasing, but you don't trust them. And now they're not nearly as pleasing to watch, but they're tough and they win games. So the magic formula was, don't do what you've always been, go the opposite route, and they have and they're winning, and I'm happy. Where Colin was right, the Pittsburgh Steelers in the last decade, isn't it the same team with just a little variation. Once again, we said before the season, it's all gonna come down to the final seven games. Go look at the schedule. It did, and they went two and five. They still can't get offense, right, you know, they end up ten and seven and with no chance to win the Super Bowl. And that's what the Pittsburgh Steelers have been. When Pittsburgh won a new head coach, I don't think the Steelers are moving off Mike Tomlin, but I feel like every Pittsburgh team in the last decade is a slight variation of the previous year's team.

I'm not sure there's a bigger fan in the world of Justin Herbert or Jim Harbaugh than myself, and they're now together. I felt they'd win ten or eleven games. I didn't know if they'd make the playoffs because of Mahomes and Reid. But you know, I just watching this game yesterday. They just figure out ways to win. Harbaugh and have a bad first half, and then they reset the chairs and they have a good second half. They've got a grit and a toughness. It's the first time ever the Chargers have led the NFL and defense. They've always been finesse and fun to watch, then aesthetically pleasing, but you don't trust them. And now they're not nearly as pleasing to watch, but they're tough and they win games. So the magic formula was, don't do what you've always been, go the opposite route, and they have and they're winning, and I'm happy. Where Colin was right, the Pittsburgh Steelers in the last decade, isn't it the same team with just a little variation. Once again, we said before the season, it's all gonna come down to the final seven games. Go look at the schedule. It did, and they went two and five. They still can't get offense, right, you know, they end up ten and seven and with no chance to win the Super Bowl. And that's what the Pittsburgh Steelers have been. When Pittsburgh won a new head coach, I don't think the Steelers are moving off Mike Tomlin, but I feel like every Pittsburgh team in the last decade is a slight variation of the previous year's team.

Where Colin was raw.

Where Colin was raw.

I thought Doug Peterson was a good fit in Jacksonville. I really did, and in Trent Bulky. The GM survived. He survived, and Peterson got fired. I watched them in Philadelphia out coach Bill Belichick in the Super Bowl. This was my number one pick. I liked him, People like him, players like him. It just never worked. Trevor Lawrence has regressed. I don't know where they go. Do you need more of a tough leader than Doug Peterson? Do you need a Brian Flores, somebody that's a culture changer, not just an offensive guy who people like. But the Jacksonville situation, I don't think I've ever been right on it. Coach GM players, nothing works that I predict where Colin was right when Tyreek Hill got traded from Kansas City to the Dolphins, I said, they'll be fine without him. The league is not built around small, fast football players. He's very good. But why would you leave Patrick Mahomes as a wide receiver? Why would you leave Andy Reid as a wide receiver? There are just moves I didn't get, Like, yeah, Chase the bag, the guy wants out of Miami. Now, there's got to be more than just money. I mean, if you like the coach and you like the quarterback, it's not like you can't afford a nice home in Kansas City. Like I never understood this move. It was fun, and I get people that want to go live in Miami with no state tax and a clever offensive coach. But I never thought this was going to change the league. I never thought it was going to change the Chiefs. They would figure out with Mahomes and Reid and Spags and Kelsey and Chris Jones to win.

I thought Doug Peterson was a good fit in Jacksonville. I really did, and in Trent Bulky. The GM survived. He survived, and Peterson got fired. I watched them in Philadelphia out coach Bill Belichick in the Super Bowl. This was my number one pick. I liked him, People like him, players like him. It just never worked. Trevor Lawrence has regressed. I don't know where they go. Do you need more of a tough leader than Doug Peterson? Do you need a Brian Flores, somebody that's a culture changer, not just an offensive guy who people like. But the Jacksonville situation, I don't think I've ever been right on it. Coach GM players, nothing works that I predict where Colin was right when Tyreek Hill got traded from Kansas City to the Dolphins, I said, they'll be fine without him. The league is not built around small, fast football players. He's very good. But why would you leave Patrick Mahomes as a wide receiver? Why would you leave Andy Reid as a wide receiver? There are just moves I didn't get, Like, yeah, Chase the bag, the guy wants out of Miami. Now, there's got to be more than just money. I mean, if you like the coach and you like the quarterback, it's not like you can't afford a nice home in Kansas City. Like I never understood this move. It was fun, and I get people that want to go live in Miami with no state tax and a clever offensive coach. But I never thought this was going to change the league. I never thought it was going to change the Chiefs. They would figure out with Mahomes and Reid and Spags and Kelsey and Chris Jones to win.

Regardless where Colin was right.

Regardless where Colin was right.

My number one college football prediction before the season was Oregon is going to beat Ohio State at Otson and then Ohio State will come back to beat Oregon, and man, they did the next time they play in the playoff, so that was my top prediction. They led thirty one to nothing in the first half against Oregon. I also said after they lost to Michigan, don't be shocked if they don't end up playing like a Texas for the National Championship. And I still believe that college football more than ever, feels like the NFL, where you can have a stinker of a game in December and you're okay, we don't eliminate you. And I think that is a good thing. I think college football has grown up and graduated to more professional football, meaning you get a mulligan, you can stumble your toe. It shouldn't be about you lose late in the season, You're done. The Chiefs lose late in the season. Peyton Manning won a Super Bowl. He lost twice in January December, and he won a super Bowl. It shouldn't be about the calendar. It should be about an entire book, several chapters and who's good now? And at Ohio State, be sure to.

My number one college football prediction before the season was Oregon is going to beat Ohio State at Otson and then Ohio State will come back to beat Oregon, and man, they did the next time they play in the playoff, so that was my top prediction. They led thirty one to nothing in the first half against Oregon. I also said after they lost to Michigan, don't be shocked if they don't end up playing like a Texas for the National Championship. And I still believe that college football more than ever, feels like the NFL, where you can have a stinker of a game in December and you're okay, we don't eliminate you. And I think that is a good thing. I think college football has grown up and graduated to more professional football, meaning you get a mulligan, you can stumble your toe. It shouldn't be about you lose late in the season, You're done. The Chiefs lose late in the season. Peyton Manning won a Super Bowl. He lost twice in January December, and he won a super Bowl. It shouldn't be about the calendar. It should be about an entire book, several chapters and who's good now? And at Ohio State, be sure to.

Catch live editions of The Herd weekdays in noon Easter not a em Pacific.

Catch live editions of The Herd weekdays in noon Easter not a em Pacific.

With that, Matt Hasselbeck's coming out to the set, we are so lucky to have him eighteen years in the NFL six playoff apparent with Seattle, my friend, it's great to see you. You know, I was saying, but where's that come from? What's that?

With that, Matt Hasselbeck's coming out to the set, we are so lucky to have him eighteen years in the NFL six playoff apparent with Seattle, my friend, it's great to see you. You know, I was saying, but where's that come from? What's that?

I heard some claps in the background. We have appreciate that.

I heard some claps in the background. We have appreciate that.

Okay, good, thank you.

Okay, good, thank you.

So I said that a year ago. Sam Darnold is a backup starting in a meaningless game. He was considered a bust to walk into Detroit last night and be great. I thought was as a big ask. It felt like a playoff game, and I and I said last week, I'm like, I'm just going to the biggest game in Detroit in fifty years. Do you think differently about Darnald after that performance?

So I said that a year ago. Sam Darnold is a backup starting in a meaningless game. He was considered a bust to walk into Detroit last night and be great. I thought was as a big ask. It felt like a playoff game, and I and I said last week, I'm like, I'm just going to the biggest game in Detroit in fifty years. Do you think differently about Darnald after that performance?

Now? Listen, like the the future is a whole lot of right now and that was a right now moment like he had never been in that situation before. He'll learn from it. I thought it was just an awesome game plan by Aaron Glenn. I thought they came out and was it man or was its own?

Now? Listen, like the the future is a whole lot of right now and that was a right now moment like he had never been in that situation before. He'll learn from it. I thought it was just an awesome game plan by Aaron Glenn. I thought they came out and was it man or was its own?

It was both. Was it a blitz we can pick up, yes.

It was both. Was it a blitz we can pick up, yes.

But now we're one on one in an area of strength against an area of weakness.

But now we're one on one in an area of strength against an area of weakness.

I thought the crowd noise was a factor.

I thought the crowd noise was a factor.

I mean, the people in Detroit should feel like they had a hand in that victory, They had a hand in that defensive success because they did.

I mean, the people in Detroit should feel like they had a hand in that victory, They had a hand in that defensive success because they did.

I'm not worried.

I'm not worried.

I don't think I'm worried about Sam Darnold. I'm sure a lot of people are going to jump off the bandwagon. He's a really good football player. But here's what they'll do. And I think Kevin O'Connell did a good job last night, even at the podium right after the game. He kind of gave his messaging. He kind of gave his messaging like, Hey, I was with the team.

I don't think I'm worried about Sam Darnold. I'm sure a lot of people are going to jump off the bandwagon. He's a really good football player. But here's what they'll do. And I think Kevin O'Connell did a good job last night, even at the podium right after the game. He kind of gave his messaging. He kind of gave his messaging like, Hey, I was with the team.

I believe it was the Rams.

I believe it was the Rams.

We lost the last game of the season and we made it to the super Bowl, Like, we can do that, But what do we gotta do? We got to watch his tape, learn from it, flush it, and move on. We got another one this week and that's what they'll do. But I do think the key there is learning from it, and I just think they were surprised and they didn't match the intensity of the moment and Detroit brought it. It was like years and years of frustration came out in one game. And think about what was at stake that first round by for a team that says banged up as Detroit did, with home field advantage the way they have it, that's a hungry fan base and a lot of players on that team that have been there for you know, almost a decade. Like some of those guys, it meant more like like sometimes you say it in the locker room, like it means more to us. I think it really did mean more to Detroit last night, and it Showden.

We lost the last game of the season and we made it to the super Bowl, Like, we can do that, But what do we gotta do? We got to watch his tape, learn from it, flush it, and move on. We got another one this week and that's what they'll do. But I do think the key there is learning from it, and I just think they were surprised and they didn't match the intensity of the moment and Detroit brought it. It was like years and years of frustration came out in one game. And think about what was at stake that first round by for a team that says banged up as Detroit did, with home field advantage the way they have it, that's a hungry fan base and a lot of players on that team that have been there for you know, almost a decade. Like some of those guys, it meant more like like sometimes you say it in the locker room, like it means more to us. I think it really did mean more to Detroit last night, and it Showden.

Yeah, I want to say this about I said this to start the show I said, in some ways, the NFL is the anti NBA. You have to be selfless and you always play hurt. By week four, quarterbacks, kickers are dinged and sometimes me as an outsider, can roll my eyes at some of the messaging. It's a little cheesy, but there's a brotherhood and a masculinity in the NFL and when you're going downhill. I think Dan Campbell is the perfect coach for the city. They're the Cubs and shoulder pads like they're just He has been able this team on Monday against the Niners. Could have just mailed it in, let's get healthy. He's like, no, yeah, no, we're Detroit. Yeah, this is a every game matters. I think he is literally the perfect coach.

Yeah, I want to say this about I said this to start the show I said, in some ways, the NFL is the anti NBA. You have to be selfless and you always play hurt. By week four, quarterbacks, kickers are dinged and sometimes me as an outsider, can roll my eyes at some of the messaging. It's a little cheesy, but there's a brotherhood and a masculinity in the NFL and when you're going downhill. I think Dan Campbell is the perfect coach for the city. They're the Cubs and shoulder pads like they're just He has been able this team on Monday against the Niners. Could have just mailed it in, let's get healthy. He's like, no, yeah, no, we're Detroit. Yeah, this is a every game matters. I think he is literally the perfect coach.

Yeah. Well, and I think you. I think their style of play, their identity, their head coach's personality, who is at the podium resonates with the city, resonates with Detroit. We're a tough city where a blue collar city. We're not like everybody else, Like we're built. I don't want to say fod tough, but like it's kind of like that mindset.

Yeah. Well, and I think you. I think their style of play, their identity, their head coach's personality, who is at the podium resonates with the city, resonates with Detroit. We're a tough city where a blue collar city. We're not like everybody else, Like we're built. I don't want to say fod tough, but like it's kind of like that mindset.

Yeah, and I think that it matters.

Yeah, and I think that it matters.

Now.

Now.

Listen, Dan Campbell's not just some tough guy though, Like he's a guy that he he played for. I think he coached with Parcels. He coached for Sean Payton for a long time. Marcell love him and so like, he's not just some like meathead. He's a guy that's like weathered the storms. He's he's pretty smart. He's been around, he's been around Hall of Fame type coaching. He was the interim head coach at the Miami Dolphins. Do I think he would have been the perfect head coach for the Miami Dolphins?

Listen, Dan Campbell's not just some tough guy though, Like he's a guy that he he played for. I think he coached with Parcels. He coached for Sean Payton for a long time. Marcell love him and so like, he's not just some like meathead. He's a guy that's like weathered the storms. He's he's pretty smart. He's been around, he's been around Hall of Fame type coaching. He was the interim head coach at the Miami Dolphins. Do I think he would have been the perfect head coach for the Miami Dolphins?

No?

No?

Do I think he's the perfect head coach for the Detroit Lions.

Do I think he's the perfect head coach for the Detroit Lions.

Yes? And I think that's what like, honestly, just like the synergy of your cast off quarterback, you know, just like that that toughness, that grittiness, that resilience, it all fits together with what they got.

Yes? And I think that's what like, honestly, just like the synergy of your cast off quarterback, you know, just like that that toughness, that grittiness, that resilience, it all fits together with what they got.

Now.

Now.

Listen, the danger for him though, He's got to learn how to be tough and physical and all that and still survive these long seasons. Now, Like you don't want to be limping into the Super Bowl, right, you gotta I don't know if you call it load management, but you got to practice smart and you got you have to coach smart from I don't know, like an injury standpoint, sure, and and and that remains to be seen if they can do that. But there's a lot of there's a lot of good things to sell to sorry to say about Detroit, I mean a lot of good things.

Listen, the danger for him though, He's got to learn how to be tough and physical and all that and still survive these long seasons. Now, Like you don't want to be limping into the Super Bowl, right, you gotta I don't know if you call it load management, but you got to practice smart and you got you have to coach smart from I don't know, like an injury standpoint, sure, and and and that remains to be seen if they can do that. But there's a lot of there's a lot of good things to sell to sorry to say about Detroit, I mean a lot of good things.

Yeah. So the Bonex story, it's interesting he fell to six. Now, it was a very good quarterback draft last and by the way Lamar fell to the end of the first round. It's hard, you don't know, but and.

Yeah. So the Bonex story, it's interesting he fell to six. Now, it was a very good quarterback draft last and by the way Lamar fell to the end of the first round. It's hard, you don't know, but and.

It's it's never in order, like never, the order that is in your mock draft is never how it turns out.

It's it's never in order, like never, the order that is in your mock draft is never how it turns out.

But it was almost as if he was considered in the draft. Well, let's get to Caleb and Jaden. He he's the second level and I'm like, I saw him play live twice. I saw sixty one college starts. I probably saw thirty five to forty of him. This dude's athletic. He is in I mean I was sat on the sideline of an Oregon game watching him. He has directed, he's like a coach. Are you surprised by how effective he was?

But it was almost as if he was considered in the draft. Well, let's get to Caleb and Jaden. He he's the second level and I'm like, I saw him play live twice. I saw sixty one college starts. I probably saw thirty five to forty of him. This dude's athletic. He is in I mean I was sat on the sideline of an Oregon game watching him. He has directed, he's like a coach. Are you surprised by how effective he was?

Yeah, listen, you say second level, you should have seen the combine, Like the dude got Bonix got no attention at the.

Yeah, listen, you say second level, you should have seen the combine, Like the dude got Bonix got no attention at the.

Combine, like very little.

Combine, like very little.

Everyone was talking about all these other guys. They were talking about guys that weren't even working out that day. And so for bow Knicks to go do his private with Sean Payton, for him to say, Bam, that's my guy, like that's our guy. I don't think people jumped on board and said, oh, he's going to be successful. And I know for sure they didn't feel like in year one what he has done this year with bo Nix has done, with Sean Payton has done, I think he's absolutely a candidate for Coach of the Year. The playoff draft that they had, the season that they had last year.

Everyone was talking about all these other guys. They were talking about guys that weren't even working out that day. And so for bow Knicks to go do his private with Sean Payton, for him to say, Bam, that's my guy, like that's our guy. I don't think people jumped on board and said, oh, he's going to be successful. And I know for sure they didn't feel like in year one what he has done this year with bo Nix has done, with Sean Payton has done, I think he's absolutely a candidate for Coach of the Year. The playoff draft that they had, the season that they had last year.

The dead cap money, dead cap.

The dead cap money, dead cap.

Vance, Joseph's done a great job.

Vance, Joseph's done a great job.

But no, when you watch bo Nick's play, does not look like a rookie quarterback.

But no, when you watch bo Nick's play, does not look like a rookie quarterback.

I do believe that, like in this era of.

I do believe that, like in this era of.

Young quarterbacks, and this is somewhere where I think I had to grow and learn a little bit. These guys are so much more prepared coming into the NFL, Like they get the extra year, they get, the COVID year, the way kids are trained now, Like I just even remember being at the financial literacy stuff at the combine and like, oh, guys, you know, hiring an agent, hiring, paying your.

Young quarterbacks, and this is somewhere where I think I had to grow and learn a little bit. These guys are so much more prepared coming into the NFL, Like they get the extra year, they get, the COVID year, the way kids are trained now, Like I just even remember being at the financial literacy stuff at the combine and like, oh, guys, you know, hiring an agent, hiring, paying your.

Taxes, all this stuff.

Taxes, all this stuff.

Half the room was like, yeah, we've been getting paid for a couple of years now, We're good. We're just all about the football. So I think these quarterbacks are coming into it. And they talk about a guy like Bonnicks that has all these starts under his belt in huge games and the sec out at Oregon. It's very different than say, like an Anthony Richardson situation, a guy that hadn't played a ton of football he's got he's got a bunch of starts under his belt. I think it matters. And having a Hall of Fame coach and Sean Payton, I mean, they're they're doing great.

Half the room was like, yeah, we've been getting paid for a couple of years now, We're good. We're just all about the football. So I think these quarterbacks are coming into it. And they talk about a guy like Bonnicks that has all these starts under his belt in huge games and the sec out at Oregon. It's very different than say, like an Anthony Richardson situation, a guy that hadn't played a ton of football he's got he's got a bunch of starts under his belt. I think it matters. And having a Hall of Fame coach and Sean Payton, I mean, they're they're doing great.

So I got a I got a lot of things I want to ask you about. We're going to get to the coaching thing in a second, because I want your thoughts on Pete Carroll potentially in Chicago. I don't think it's ridiculous, and I forget agist. I just think Peet's really good.

So I got a I got a lot of things I want to ask you about. We're going to get to the coaching thing in a second, because I want your thoughts on Pete Carroll potentially in Chicago. I don't think it's ridiculous, and I forget agist. I just think Peet's really good.

But I well, you.

But I well, you.

Can't be agist. Since you're sixty one today, Happy birthday.

Can't be agist. Since you're sixty one today, Happy birthday.

By the way, I am sixty one today whatever. I looked at Aaron Rodgers and listen.

By the way, I am sixty one today whatever. I looked at Aaron Rodgers and listen.

You were talking, Pete Carroll, are we're talking.

You were talking, Pete Carroll, are we're talking.

I want to go to Aaron and back to pee.

I want to go to Aaron and back to pee.

You're back to agist, got it?

You're back to agist, got it?

Yeah? Yeah, So it's not a great quarterback draft class. Cousins looked a little washed. Vikings probably retain Darnold. It is easy to just punt on Aaron. But I look at him in the last eight weeks and seven of him, I was like, yes, that's pretty good. I think there's I don't think the Jets should cut him. I actually think he has a semi vibrant market.

Yeah? Yeah, So it's not a great quarterback draft class. Cousins looked a little washed. Vikings probably retain Darnold. It is easy to just punt on Aaron. But I look at him in the last eight weeks and seven of him, I was like, yes, that's pretty good. I think there's I don't think the Jets should cut him. I actually think he has a semi vibrant market.

Yeah, I mean, listen, he can still play. You saw that. And I talked about earlier in the year the Jets looked like a team that were having no fun. I would say the total opposite the end here, like they last yesterday, they looked like they were having so much it was anything but a chore. There was like a bunch of grown men playing, you know, almost like paying to play with, like and like what those legends things, you know what I mean, Like they look like a great way to go out if he goes out. But no, I would just say that if Aaron Rodgers wants to keep playing. He can the thing, though, I don't think it can be like Aaron Streetball. I don't think he has the mobility for that. I just don't think that's winning football. I don't think that's what people are gonna pay for. What they would pay for is an amazing conductor, a point guard. Not the guy that's gonna be Michael Jordan. They're looking for more of a distributor. They're looking for more of a someone to steady the ship. Maybe they just sort of be humble and be like a little bit more of a system quarterback. But can he throw? Yeah, he can throw. Is the game slowed down for him? Yes?

Yeah, I mean, listen, he can still play. You saw that. And I talked about earlier in the year the Jets looked like a team that were having no fun. I would say the total opposite the end here, like they last yesterday, they looked like they were having so much it was anything but a chore. There was like a bunch of grown men playing, you know, almost like paying to play with, like and like what those legends things, you know what I mean, Like they look like a great way to go out if he goes out. But no, I would just say that if Aaron Rodgers wants to keep playing. He can the thing, though, I don't think it can be like Aaron Streetball. I don't think he has the mobility for that. I just don't think that's winning football. I don't think that's what people are gonna pay for. What they would pay for is an amazing conductor, a point guard. Not the guy that's gonna be Michael Jordan. They're looking for more of a distributor. They're looking for more of a someone to steady the ship. Maybe they just sort of be humble and be like a little bit more of a system quarterback. But can he throw? Yeah, he can throw. Is the game slowed down for him? Yes?

Is he as mobile and durable as he once was?

Is he as mobile and durable as he once was?

Like?

Like?

No, And I think that's gonna be the decision that he has to make. But seeing the joy it was certainly there yesterday. I mean that part for me, I think was fun to watch.

No, And I think that's gonna be the decision that he has to make. But seeing the joy it was certainly there yesterday. I mean that part for me, I think was fun to watch.

So I have said, so, let's now going to some of the coaching stuff. So we've got a bunch of coaching openings. We've got the Saints, the Patriots, the Jags, the Jets, the Bears, and they're maybe another one. We'll wait on the Riders. So I said, I didn't think Rex Ryan to the Jets was nuts, and I don't think Pete Carroll to Chicago is crazy for a lot of reasons. I do not think you can give this to a snazzy coordinator who's never been a coach. This is a city football to politics. Everything's political everything in Chicago, and they don't have the strongest ownership as a city, and nobody's got like the super wealthy owners. I think Pete Carroll works in Chicago. You know, Pete, does he fit?

So I have said, so, let's now going to some of the coaching stuff. So we've got a bunch of coaching openings. We've got the Saints, the Patriots, the Jags, the Jets, the Bears, and they're maybe another one. We'll wait on the Riders. So I said, I didn't think Rex Ryan to the Jets was nuts, and I don't think Pete Carroll to Chicago is crazy for a lot of reasons. I do not think you can give this to a snazzy coordinator who's never been a coach. This is a city football to politics. Everything's political everything in Chicago, and they don't have the strongest ownership as a city, and nobody's got like the super wealthy owners. I think Pete Carroll works in Chicago. You know, Pete, does he fit?

Yeah?

Yeah?

I mean listen, I thought you're gonna say Brian Flores because that feels like it's fit fits. Also, that's one that people are talking about. The synergy from GM to head coach to quarterback is very important in Chicago. That's something they have not gotten right since who knows when I would say this Pete Carroll, Like, the more dysfunction you have in an organization, the more you need a culture builder, an identity maker, an absolute rock star at the podium, like a rock star, not someone who's learning on the fly. And like you mentioned those two organizations, the Jets and the Bears, I think they need a culture builder. I think they need a rock star at the podium. To me, Pete Carroll. Just knowing Pete, he is in love with usc. So if there's any new head coach coming into Chicago that wants to see Caleb Williams succeed, it's Pete Carroll. But the revolving door in Chicago where the GM, the head coach, and the quarterback, they didn't sort of come in together. That's been one of the problems because if you get a new head coach in there who Caleb's.

I mean listen, I thought you're gonna say Brian Flores because that feels like it's fit fits. Also, that's one that people are talking about. The synergy from GM to head coach to quarterback is very important in Chicago. That's something they have not gotten right since who knows when I would say this Pete Carroll, Like, the more dysfunction you have in an organization, the more you need a culture builder, an identity maker, an absolute rock star at the podium, like a rock star, not someone who's learning on the fly. And like you mentioned those two organizations, the Jets and the Bears, I think they need a culture builder. I think they need a rock star at the podium. To me, Pete Carroll. Just knowing Pete, he is in love with usc. So if there's any new head coach coming into Chicago that wants to see Caleb Williams succeed, it's Pete Carroll. But the revolving door in Chicago where the GM, the head coach, and the quarterback, they didn't sort of come in together. That's been one of the problems because if you get a new head coach in there who Caleb's.

Not my guy.

Not my guy.

I'm not married to him. My contract's not tied to his contract, like I can move on if I want to blame somebody that could easily happen to the young quarterback. So I think you need someone that can handle the young quarterback who's got a tremendous amount of potential, And I think Pete Carroll would be the perfect guy. Culture Center will bring a bunch of people with him who have been there and done it, and a lot of times, you know who you are as the head coach is who's willing to come with you, And I think Pete Carroll, you know, has the credentials to bring a lot of people with them.

I'm not married to him. My contract's not tied to his contract, like I can move on if I want to blame somebody that could easily happen to the young quarterback. So I think you need someone that can handle the young quarterback who's got a tremendous amount of potential, And I think Pete Carroll would be the perfect guy. Culture Center will bring a bunch of people with him who have been there and done it, and a lot of times, you know who you are as the head coach is who's willing to come with you, And I think Pete Carroll, you know, has the credentials to bring a lot of people with them.

So you know, I was saying, as this is the first time I remember best quarterback won every division, and I think Jared Goff is playing the best quarterback in a division where Darnold and Lover and Caleb are super talented. But virtually every division best quarterback won. And that's why I don't like the season extending to eighteen games, because the more games you have, if I have a better quarterback and I get sixty more snaps in two more games than five years ago, I'm going to win the division. I like the NFL when there's you can be a defensive team that we would go into the playoffs and think, all right, the Steelers have a champce to win the super Bowl. But we don't think that because in the AFC Russell Wilson's fine but not special. When I look at all this, the dark horse team to me that nobody is saying to win a super Bowl is the Chargers. So Harbaugh is arguably as good at coaches as sport has outside Andy Reid. Herbert now is as efficient as Aaron Rodgers and Brady in their prime. They don't have a star receiver. It's January football. I mean the Tyreek Hills disappear very quickly. Number one defense rush end, Harball Herbert, best offensive tackle combination. I look at the Chargers and I'm like, if you told me the boxes that fit playoffs, you're smirking at me.

So you know, I was saying, as this is the first time I remember best quarterback won every division, and I think Jared Goff is playing the best quarterback in a division where Darnold and Lover and Caleb are super talented. But virtually every division best quarterback won. And that's why I don't like the season extending to eighteen games, because the more games you have, if I have a better quarterback and I get sixty more snaps in two more games than five years ago, I'm going to win the division. I like the NFL when there's you can be a defensive team that we would go into the playoffs and think, all right, the Steelers have a champce to win the super Bowl. But we don't think that because in the AFC Russell Wilson's fine but not special. When I look at all this, the dark horse team to me that nobody is saying to win a super Bowl is the Chargers. So Harbaugh is arguably as good at coaches as sport has outside Andy Reid. Herbert now is as efficient as Aaron Rodgers and Brady in their prime. They don't have a star receiver. It's January football. I mean the Tyreek Hills disappear very quickly. Number one defense rush end, Harball Herbert, best offensive tackle combination. I look at the Chargers and I'm like, if you told me the boxes that fit playoffs, you're smirking at me.

I wasn't expecting that. I wasn't expecting Chargers.

I wasn't expecting that. I wasn't expecting Chargers.

But maybe that's exactly what your point is, you know, like this is what I'd say.

But maybe that's exactly what your point is, you know, like this is what I'd say.

There's gonna be a curve ball.

There's gonna be a curve ball.

My favorite week Maybe you can say championship weekend, you know, AFCNFC championship, but my favorite weekend is wild card weekend. Those were like if you look throughout the history of the best playoff games that have ever been played, I feel like it's always wild Card weekend. And so like you know, they call it wildcard because like any it's anybody's weekend, and it's different and everybody's zero and zero and the boost that you can get from having sort of like a disappointing season and now all of a sudden, like no, we're oh and oh, and the Chiefs are oh and oh, and like everybody's.

My favorite week Maybe you can say championship weekend, you know, AFCNFC championship, but my favorite weekend is wild card weekend. Those were like if you look throughout the history of the best playoff games that have ever been played, I feel like it's always wild Card weekend. And so like you know, they call it wildcard because like any it's anybody's weekend, and it's different and everybody's zero and zero and the boost that you can get from having sort of like a disappointing season and now all of a sudden, like no, we're oh and oh, and the Chiefs are oh and oh, and like everybody's.

Oh and oh, and besides the bye it's.

Oh and oh, and besides the bye it's.

An it's an equal playing field, so anything can happen, like that's the beauty of it. You just got to get hot at the right time. That's why I listen every single team that I was ever on. Ever, the head coach in the very first meeting of the year said the same thing. Didn't matter the team, offensive coach, defensive coach. What do they all say, win our division? That's goal number one because if we win the division, we are in the playoffs, and if we're in the tournament, anything can happen. And that that's just that's just like the mindset that goes into it. So like you're saying the Chargers, Yeah, why not. They have a short week at Houston.

An it's an equal playing field, so anything can happen, like that's the beauty of it. You just got to get hot at the right time. That's why I listen every single team that I was ever on. Ever, the head coach in the very first meeting of the year said the same thing. Didn't matter the team, offensive coach, defensive coach. What do they all say, win our division? That's goal number one because if we win the division, we are in the playoffs, and if we're in the tournament, anything can happen. And that that's just that's just like the mindset that goes into it. So like you're saying the Chargers, Yeah, why not. They have a short week at Houston.

Here we go. You know, now we're into Round two.

Here we go. You know, now we're into Round two.

Like it doesn't take that much to get there. Like that's what the exciting thing is. And all your peers are watching. Everybody in the league is watching. There's no other games. It's just your game. Yeah, the Chargers, they would not have been my dark horse.

Like it doesn't take that much to get there. Like that's what the exciting thing is. And all your peers are watching. Everybody in the league is watching. There's no other games. It's just your game. Yeah, the Chargers, they would not have been my dark horse.

Okay, so let's go back to it. I want you to give me a paragraph on each game. So let's start Chargers at the Texans.

Okay, so let's go back to it. I want you to give me a paragraph on each game. So let's start Chargers at the Texans.

I feel bad that Texans are always in that like not primetime game. You know that Saturday three, third like, I think that's like how I felt when we were in Seattle. Kind of joke. You're in the witness protection program out there, and like they never give you the primetime game because you're not like one of those original six and hockey kind of deal.

I feel bad that Texans are always in that like not primetime game. You know that Saturday three, third like, I think that's like how I felt when we were in Seattle. Kind of joke. You're in the witness protection program out there, and like they never give you the primetime game because you're not like one of those original six and hockey kind of deal.

No, listen, they're not a team like ascending.

No, listen, they're not a team like ascending.

I think the Chargers defense is way better than people realize. They're a team Torecton with probably in the second round of the playoffs. I don't know if the Texans can protect c. J. Stroud the way they need to.

I think the Chargers defense is way better than people realize. They're a team Torecton with probably in the second round of the playoffs. I don't know if the Texans can protect c. J. Stroud the way they need to.