Thanks for listening to the Best of the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to three Eastern nine am to noone 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 Best of the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to three Eastern nine am to noone 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.

This is the Best of the Herd with Colin cowher on Fox Sports Radio.

This is the Best of the Herd with Colin cowher on Fox Sports Radio.

Here we go live in Chicago. Wherever you may be, however you may be listening. Thanks for making us part of your day. Jmak I took the train to work today. I haven't done that in my entire career. After what was an amazing playoff game, I just got to look at the ratings for the Lakers playoff game.

Here we go live in Chicago. Wherever you may be, however you may be listening. Thanks for making us part of your day. Jmak I took the train to work today. I haven't done that in my entire career. After what was an amazing playoff game, I just got to look at the ratings for the Lakers playoff game.

Seven and a half million people watch.

Seven and a half million people watch.

You do not have to be a basketball fan if you're a casual as a as KD calls it a casual.

You do not have to be a basketball fan if you're a casual as a as KD calls it a casual.

Were you not glued to that game.

Were you not glued to that game.

Last incredible theater. I can't believe Steve Kerr pulled off the hack a shack to get Adams off the floor.

Last incredible theater. I can't believe Steve Kerr pulled off the hack a shack to get Adams off the floor.

Genius stuff from Steve Kirk.

Genius stuff from Steve Kirk.

So I'm watching that game last night and then I go to the box Score this morning. Houston did so many things that were good enough to win. Great field goal percentage, didn't take a lot of threes, but hit a lot of them. Very good on the glass, dominate points in the paint. But what about late game execution. That's the NBA playoffs. It was such a classic Warrior playoff win. Draymond's on the floor getting the tee, the game is shippy, Steph's good, but let's a teammate step up and dominate the fourth and Jimmy Butler and they have always like one young guy. This time it's POD's who plays a key role. But this series has been about who makes the play in the moment. That's the Warriors. And you saw Houston's inexperience on display. Jalen Green, a borderline All star for them, zero points in the second half, three or four games, single digits, and again they're relying on him his big game. They won the three. He hasn't played well, lost all of them. So Houston's go two scorers in the fourth quarter, Fred van Vliet and a twenty two year old big that's it. Their final shot is classic young team trying to win a game.

So I'm watching that game last night and then I go to the box Score this morning. Houston did so many things that were good enough to win. Great field goal percentage, didn't take a lot of threes, but hit a lot of them. Very good on the glass, dominate points in the paint. But what about late game execution. That's the NBA playoffs. It was such a classic Warrior playoff win. Draymond's on the floor getting the tee, the game is shippy, Steph's good, but let's a teammate step up and dominate the fourth and Jimmy Butler and they have always like one young guy. This time it's POD's who plays a key role. But this series has been about who makes the play in the moment. That's the Warriors. And you saw Houston's inexperience on display. Jalen Green, a borderline All star for them, zero points in the second half, three or four games, single digits, and again they're relying on him his big game. They won the three. He hasn't played well, lost all of them. So Houston's go two scorers in the fourth quarter, Fred van Vliet and a twenty two year old big that's it. Their final shot is classic young team trying to win a game.

A fifteen foot fallaway.

A fifteen foot fallaway.

So I think what makes this more impressive is that basically the Warriors have conceded size and physicality. They're not playing Kaminga, the barely playing Kaevon Looney, so they're conceding it. Nope, you're gonna be bigger, stronger, more athletic, and deeper, but we're gonna shoot twice as many threes. And it's not like the Rockets didn't hit their threes. But this is where Pods was so crucial last night. The Warriors always, even in their great teams, there's always a bench guy or a young guy that makes an impact. And Jimmy Butler like a Wiggins, his team gets tired of him. And then you go to the Finals and Wiggins is playing the Celtics and you're like, oh, we wouldn't win the finals without him. And last night in the fourth quarter, it's like, yeah, they don't win the game without Jimmy Butler. And this is how we've talked about this. I can't believe they're doing it. I mean, there's so many advantages for Houston, but this is how the playoffs work. You gotta crawl before you walk. So three of the Rocket starters are twenty three or younger.

So I think what makes this more impressive is that basically the Warriors have conceded size and physicality. They're not playing Kaminga, the barely playing Kaevon Looney, so they're conceding it. Nope, you're gonna be bigger, stronger, more athletic, and deeper, but we're gonna shoot twice as many threes. And it's not like the Rockets didn't hit their threes. But this is where Pods was so crucial last night. The Warriors always, even in their great teams, there's always a bench guy or a young guy that makes an impact. And Jimmy Butler like a Wiggins, his team gets tired of him. And then you go to the Finals and Wiggins is playing the Celtics and you're like, oh, we wouldn't win the finals without him. And last night in the fourth quarter, it's like, yeah, they don't win the game without Jimmy Butler. And this is how we've talked about this. I can't believe they're doing it. I mean, there's so many advantages for Houston, but this is how the playoffs work. You gotta crawl before you walk. So three of the Rocket starters are twenty three or younger.

Well, Colin, what about the bench.

Well, Colin, what about the bench.

Yeah, they go to the bench to a twenty three year old and a twenty one year old, So it's like it's just in fact, I would argue Steven Adams old. Steven Adams was probably the most consistent Rocket last night, rebounding, physicality and defense. So this is what scares everybody in the West about the Warriors, that Curry doesn't have to be great. They now have a second scorer who's often better. Pods can light it up. Well, he felt like he you know, you come with these young guys. Houston's got tons of them. The Warriors got one young guy, and Pods is like, can I take shots? Is this my moment? And he felt it. So Pods will probably this point forward, give you that a couple of games in the series.

Yeah, they go to the bench to a twenty three year old and a twenty one year old, So it's like it's just in fact, I would argue Steven Adams old. Steven Adams was probably the most consistent Rocket last night, rebounding, physicality and defense. So this is what scares everybody in the West about the Warriors, that Curry doesn't have to be great. They now have a second scorer who's often better. Pods can light it up. Well, he felt like he you know, you come with these young guys. Houston's got tons of them. The Warriors got one young guy, and Pods is like, can I take shots? Is this my moment? And he felt it. So Pods will probably this point forward, give you that a couple of games in the series.

But I mean to be able to win.

But I mean to be able to win.

When Curry's not great, and Jimmy Butler can lead in the fourth quarter. And then there was a rebound, the very big rebound at the end of the game was so classic. Jimmy Butler, you have all these trees.

When Curry's not great, and Jimmy Butler can lead in the fourth quarter. And then there was a rebound, the very big rebound at the end of the game was so classic. Jimmy Butler, you have all these trees.

All this size, all this late.

All this size, all this late.

For the Houston Rockets, and here's scrappy, Jimmy Butler out maneuvering out physical jumping and seizing the rebound. I mean between Draymond's defense late on Sengun Seng gun, between Jimmy Butler's rebound between you know, Buddy Healed, Classic Warriors. All year long, people complained, Oh, let's get rid of Buddy Healed. No, nah, not really remember the Warriors, the Miami Heat team that had like Miller and Battier and they disappear for moments, but how many big threes do they hit in the heaels playoff runs for four years? This was a classic Warrior performance and near Steve Kerr on Jimmy.

For the Houston Rockets, and here's scrappy, Jimmy Butler out maneuvering out physical jumping and seizing the rebound. I mean between Draymond's defense late on Sengun Seng gun, between Jimmy Butler's rebound between you know, Buddy Healed, Classic Warriors. All year long, people complained, Oh, let's get rid of Buddy Healed. No, nah, not really remember the Warriors, the Miami Heat team that had like Miller and Battier and they disappear for moments, but how many big threes do they hit in the heaels playoff runs for four years? This was a classic Warrior performance and near Steve Kerr on Jimmy.

Butler, it's the playoffs and he's Jimmy Butler, so this is this is what he does. The rebound at the end was just incredible, the elevation, the force, then of course knocking down the free throws to clinch it, Jimmy was just amazing.

Butler, it's the playoffs and he's Jimmy Butler, so this is this is what he does. The rebound at the end was just incredible, the elevation, the force, then of course knocking down the free throws to clinch it, Jimmy was just amazing.

Okay, So.

Okay, So.

Probably the most fun yet the most difficult thing I cover, and we cover all year long, is not games. It's the NFL Draft. Because I've said this many times. You get lied to for a month to two months up to it, and so often during the draft, and every few drafts there's a guy that really falls, precipitously falls. This year it was Shedor Sanders, Aaron Rodgers, It's been Dan Marino. There's every few years somebody fallows a lot and so, but those stories don't come out until like the fall and after the fall, right, and so Albert Brer had a great article on Shoudeur Sanders, and one of the things we talked about this is what I was told on Friday after the herd. A GM told me, if he doesn't go by pick thirty seven thirty eight, he's now a backup. And there's a lot of teams that do not want that circus as a backup. Albert Breer in his article says teams generally want backups to blend in with the furniture. It's white guys like t Bow had trouble finding jobs, and white guys like Cam Newton and Jay Cutler struggled at the end of their career to find jobs. That's what we talked about, But there were two other things that came out that I hadn't heard of. These are huge factors. So a lot of times when you go to these combine meetings, teams give you things to challenge you. Teams will have a player's worst players ready for him, and they'll show him his worst plays and say, hey, why don't you explain him? And Shadeur apparently didn't take to it well, and at one point one of the few teams that actually was interested in him said, well, what do you make of this really bad play? And Shador said, you know, maybe I'm not the guy for you. That's not the answer since there were only three or four teams in the first round that we're going to consider it now that Pittsburgh apparently has a deal with Aaron Rodgers, so take them out another moment. What they do during the film and the combine in the meetings is teams will install mistakes, intentionally plant it in the install and they want you to catch him. Shador didn't, and when a coach called him out once again, it didn't sit well. Say, bro, there's not many teams needing quarterbacks, especially since Pittsburgh appears to have a deal with Aaron Rodgers, and Tennessee's getting cam Ward, so you're down to the Giants who were not interested at all, and Cleveland, who traded out of that two spot. Because clearly they were looking for next year's class, like the Rams are. And I heard a lot of this. What about John Elway? His dad didn't want him to play? What about Eli Manning? John Elway's probably, Now, let's take out the probably. He's the greatest quarterback prospect of all time. I'm old enough to have watched them in college. There was no Lway pre Lway. He was a first ballot Hall of Famer talent. I mean you think Andrew luck was bally Hooton talked about ad personality. I mean Elway could have played for the Yankees. Okay, his football family the Lway family. So he's not Elway. And oh, by the way, he's not Eli, who was a much better prospect.

Probably the most fun yet the most difficult thing I cover, and we cover all year long, is not games. It's the NFL Draft. Because I've said this many times. You get lied to for a month to two months up to it, and so often during the draft, and every few drafts there's a guy that really falls, precipitously falls. This year it was Shedor Sanders, Aaron Rodgers, It's been Dan Marino. There's every few years somebody fallows a lot and so, but those stories don't come out until like the fall and after the fall, right, and so Albert Brer had a great article on Shoudeur Sanders, and one of the things we talked about this is what I was told on Friday after the herd. A GM told me, if he doesn't go by pick thirty seven thirty eight, he's now a backup. And there's a lot of teams that do not want that circus as a backup. Albert Breer in his article says teams generally want backups to blend in with the furniture. It's white guys like t Bow had trouble finding jobs, and white guys like Cam Newton and Jay Cutler struggled at the end of their career to find jobs. That's what we talked about, But there were two other things that came out that I hadn't heard of. These are huge factors. So a lot of times when you go to these combine meetings, teams give you things to challenge you. Teams will have a player's worst players ready for him, and they'll show him his worst plays and say, hey, why don't you explain him? And Shadeur apparently didn't take to it well, and at one point one of the few teams that actually was interested in him said, well, what do you make of this really bad play? And Shador said, you know, maybe I'm not the guy for you. That's not the answer since there were only three or four teams in the first round that we're going to consider it now that Pittsburgh apparently has a deal with Aaron Rodgers, so take them out another moment. What they do during the film and the combine in the meetings is teams will install mistakes, intentionally plant it in the install and they want you to catch him. Shador didn't, and when a coach called him out once again, it didn't sit well. Say, bro, there's not many teams needing quarterbacks, especially since Pittsburgh appears to have a deal with Aaron Rodgers, and Tennessee's getting cam Ward, so you're down to the Giants who were not interested at all, and Cleveland, who traded out of that two spot. Because clearly they were looking for next year's class, like the Rams are. And I heard a lot of this. What about John Elway? His dad didn't want him to play? What about Eli Manning? John Elway's probably, Now, let's take out the probably. He's the greatest quarterback prospect of all time. I'm old enough to have watched them in college. There was no Lway pre Lway. He was a first ballot Hall of Famer talent. I mean you think Andrew luck was bally Hooton talked about ad personality. I mean Elway could have played for the Yankees. Okay, his football family the Lway family. So he's not Elway. And oh, by the way, he's not Eli, who was a much better prospect.

Go look up his draft review. You can look it up on the internet.

Go look up his draft review. You can look it up on the internet.

Also, Eli's brother, maybe you've heard of him, Peyton was the MVP of the league in Eli's last year in college.

Also, Eli's brother, maybe you've heard of him, Peyton was the MVP of the league in Eli's last year in college.

So he's not Eli.

So he's not Eli.

When you've got unbelievable skill, like Dion Sanders did, you can sandbag interviews. Dion did and bragged about it. Elway could have. Elway's dad can play a role. Eli's family and Archie Manning wasn't jerky about it. He's just like, I don't want him plan for the Chargers. So I think this comes down to, let's be honest, Dad and Shandor Sanders had a much higher opinion of themselves than the league did. It happens, It's not the end of the world. Again, I've said this before. Where you land is more important than how high you land. Honestly, if cam Ward was going to sit beside behind Matt Stafford for two years of the Rams, probably a better place to go than number one in Tennessee because you make your money on your second contract. But here's something to really think about, because one of the few teams that was interested at least going into it in January and February into the draft evaluation was the New York Giants. Think about this. The Giants offered they wanted a quarterback. They offered Tennessee two first round picks to get cam Wore. Tennessee said no thanks. Then they traded three picks for Jackson Dart. So one of the teams that was willing to give up major picks for a quarterback eventually did, and the worst interview shod Or had was reportedly with that team. The New York Giants, So again, we just Booberrosiasin also came out yesterday, a popular New York radio host former NFL MVP quarterback with Cincinnati.

When you've got unbelievable skill, like Dion Sanders did, you can sandbag interviews. Dion did and bragged about it. Elway could have. Elway's dad can play a role. Eli's family and Archie Manning wasn't jerky about it. He's just like, I don't want him plan for the Chargers. So I think this comes down to, let's be honest, Dad and Shandor Sanders had a much higher opinion of themselves than the league did. It happens, It's not the end of the world. Again, I've said this before. Where you land is more important than how high you land. Honestly, if cam Ward was going to sit beside behind Matt Stafford for two years of the Rams, probably a better place to go than number one in Tennessee because you make your money on your second contract. But here's something to really think about, because one of the few teams that was interested at least going into it in January and February into the draft evaluation was the New York Giants. Think about this. The Giants offered they wanted a quarterback. They offered Tennessee two first round picks to get cam Wore. Tennessee said no thanks. Then they traded three picks for Jackson Dart. So one of the teams that was willing to give up major picks for a quarterback eventually did, and the worst interview shod Or had was reportedly with that team. The New York Giants, So again, we just Booberrosiasin also came out yesterday, a popular New York radio host former NFL MVP quarterback with Cincinnati.

He came out and.

He came out and.

Said he was told multiple teams owners said we're not doing this entitled nonsense. So I think, in hindsight, and this is why the draft is incredibly difficult to cover. You're lied to constantly. I'm not lied to before a Rockets Warriors game or a super Bowl or March Madness. Nobody's lying to me. I've been saying this for years. I have three or four executives really trust in the NFL and not many others. In fact, my rule has always been I will not ask an executive in the NFL a question about a player if that team needs that player. I could ask a GM like Brett Veach in Kansas City about quarterbacks because he's got one, but I'm not going to ask him about left tackles because he doesn't, and I know he's going to give me an answer that's fuzzy and I'm putting him in a bad spot. So I think that the truth of the matter is when you start looking at these stories, they're coming out now.

Said he was told multiple teams owners said we're not doing this entitled nonsense. So I think, in hindsight, and this is why the draft is incredibly difficult to cover. You're lied to constantly. I'm not lied to before a Rockets Warriors game or a super Bowl or March Madness. Nobody's lying to me. I've been saying this for years. I have three or four executives really trust in the NFL and not many others. In fact, my rule has always been I will not ask an executive in the NFL a question about a player if that team needs that player. I could ask a GM like Brett Veach in Kansas City about quarterbacks because he's got one, but I'm not going to ask him about left tackles because he doesn't, and I know he's going to give me an answer that's fuzzy and I'm putting him in a bad spot. So I think that the truth of the matter is when you start looking at these stories, they're coming out now.

It's a classic example.

It's a classic example.

There weren't many job openings, and once he became a backup, once he turned off the giants, nobody wanted. They want to back up. As Albert Breer said, to blend in with the furniture. And he's not a blending he's not from a blend in with a furniture family. Yeah, be legendary before you call yourself. That's how about. That's a rule going forward for quarterbacks. Just just be legendary. Gotta be better than thirteen and twelve. Be legendary before you do a draft room and it's painted all over the draft room.

There weren't many job openings, and once he became a backup, once he turned off the giants, nobody wanted. They want to back up. As Albert Breer said, to blend in with the furniture. And he's not a blending he's not from a blend in with a furniture family. Yeah, be legendary before you call yourself. That's how about. That's a rule going forward for quarterbacks. Just just be legendary. Gotta be better than thirteen and twelve. Be legendary before you do a draft room and it's painted all over the draft room.

And again it's not the end of the world.

And again it's not the end of the world.

But what do we always say on the show when you're a quarterback, everything is something, nothing's everything, But that legendary is something, all right?

But what do we always say on the show when you're a quarterback, everything is something, nothing's everything, But that legendary is something, all right?

J Macthez.

J Macthez.

I think we have a bunch of NBA playoff games tonight. How many do we have tonight? Three or four playoff games?

I think we have a bunch of NBA playoff games tonight. How many do we have tonight? Three or four playoff games?

Tonight?

Tonight?

Four games tonight Bucks Pacers starts at six pm Pacific time. I think three sorry, three o'clock Pacific, six Eastern.

Four games tonight Bucks Pacers starts at six pm Pacific time. I think three sorry, three o'clock Pacific, six Eastern.

That's an early start.

That's an early start.

Pacers Bucks the end.

Pacers Bucks the end.

Of the Yannis era, I can't wait for you to open.

Of the Yannis era, I can't wait for you to open.

That the show with that tomorrow. All right, Yeah, first show in Chicago. We're gonna go back back in forth La and Chicago a little bit. Nobody cares about that except me. Obviously, taking the train to work was fun today. I'd never done that before. But coming up next, I've argued about it. I think there's proof we were right on it that the NBA doesn't need a face of the league.

That the show with that tomorrow. All right, Yeah, first show in Chicago. We're gonna go back back in forth La and Chicago a little bit. Nobody cares about that except me. Obviously, taking the train to work was fun today. I'd never done that before. But coming up next, I've argued about it. I think there's proof we were right on it that the NBA doesn't need a face of the league.

We've got that next.

We've got that next.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and newon Easter non a em Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio app HI Welcome back.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and newon Easter non a em Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio app HI Welcome back.

We've talked about this a lot on this show, about this need for the face of the league.

We've talked about this a lot on this show, about this need for the face of the league.

First of all, I.

First of all, I.

Do think an international player can be the face of the NBA, because Shoe Otani is the face of baseball. Could I have if I'd have told you fifteen years ago, Yeah, the face of baseball. I mean, each Chiero was popular, but the face of baseball will not be from the States. You'd have said, whoa, whoa. The face of baseball is Otani. Aaron Judges. Second, It's okay. Ovechkin hockey We've talked about this MESSI is now the face of the MLS.

Do think an international player can be the face of the NBA, because Shoe Otani is the face of baseball. Could I have if I'd have told you fifteen years ago, Yeah, the face of baseball. I mean, each Chiero was popular, but the face of baseball will not be from the States. You'd have said, whoa, whoa. The face of baseball is Otani. Aaron Judges. Second, It's okay. Ovechkin hockey We've talked about this MESSI is now the face of the MLS.

Folks, the borders, they're all fuzzy. Now it's globalization. It's all fuzzy.

Folks, the borders, they're all fuzzy. Now it's globalization. It's all fuzzy.

But I do think it alps if you have a domestic face of the league for basketball, I don't think NBA is better if it's more domestic. In fact, I think it's better if it's more European. I think in European influence makes the game more skilled, especially with big guys. But I do think there's an argument that if I can watch you in March Madness for a couple of years, like college football Baker Mayfield, then you go to the pros.

But I do think it alps if you have a domestic face of the league for basketball, I don't think NBA is better if it's more domestic. In fact, I think it's better if it's more European. I think in European influence makes the game more skilled, especially with big guys. But I do think there's an argument that if I can watch you in March Madness for a couple of years, like college football Baker Mayfield, then you go to the pros.

I think it helps.

I think it helps.

Because a lot of these international guys, they just don't want to be faced of the league. Jokisch has no interest but and checks a lot of boxes. Now, he did go to a football school, he didn't make March Madness, and he got drafted by the Minneapolis t Wolves. Minnesota te Wolves. That doesn't help. But he's handsome, his game is dynamic. The worst thing you can do is try to force this. I mean, like the Jason Tatum thing. Jason Tatum is a great player, but his game is fundamentally great. Fundamentals don't feel like face of the league. Tim Duncan was called called the big fundamental. He was never the face of the league. It doesn't mean he wasn't the best power forward. I think I heard Charles Barkley say last week he thought Tim Duncan was the best power forward of all time. I probably agree, but he was a fundamental player. Jason Tatum might trout feel more like that. You know, there is an esthetic to being great now. I do think it helps if you knock out Lebron and the Lakers. I do think it helped last year beating and knocking out the defending champion Denver Nuggets. I think that stuff really helps. But going to Minneapolis, playing at Georgia, not making March Madness makes it an uphill climb, and I think that's one of the things about being faced in the league. In the NBA, the NBA is very different. In the NFL, it's all about winning. Nobody cares about anything else. Basketball is different. Optics matter, style matters. The first player I fell in love with was Doctor j. He wasn't the best shooter, the best ball handler. He was cool, sweeping his hands under the back. It is like, I've never seen anything like that, and many. I mean, I've argued there's only been five to six faces of the league ever, Magic and Bird, more magic than Bird because Magic embraced it. Lebron, MJ Staff, Kobe Shack, that's it. Duncan was never that Kobe by himself. I didn't think was ever that it was more of a Kobe Shack tandem deal. But the ratings for these playoff games have been excellent. Lakers game something got a big number. I don't think you have to have Ocean's eleven was fine with a bunch of good actors. The NFL as popular as it is, Farv retired, Brady retired, Manning retired, Aaron's going to retire. Ratings go up. But we live in a very distracted world right now. And I will say this, The problem the NBA has is its regular season ratings. Well, SODA's hockey and baseball. So talked about this on the show a lot. We've become an event nation with all the distractions, a very polarizing political world. Trump, Biden, it doesn't matter. It's a very polarizing world we live in. Biden was polarizing Trump's Polari. So you're just losing people. But you know when you don't lose them when the games matter World Cup, Olympics, NFL Sunday, college football.

Because a lot of these international guys, they just don't want to be faced of the league. Jokisch has no interest but and checks a lot of boxes. Now, he did go to a football school, he didn't make March Madness, and he got drafted by the Minneapolis t Wolves. Minnesota te Wolves. That doesn't help. But he's handsome, his game is dynamic. The worst thing you can do is try to force this. I mean, like the Jason Tatum thing. Jason Tatum is a great player, but his game is fundamentally great. Fundamentals don't feel like face of the league. Tim Duncan was called called the big fundamental. He was never the face of the league. It doesn't mean he wasn't the best power forward. I think I heard Charles Barkley say last week he thought Tim Duncan was the best power forward of all time. I probably agree, but he was a fundamental player. Jason Tatum might trout feel more like that. You know, there is an esthetic to being great now. I do think it helps if you knock out Lebron and the Lakers. I do think it helped last year beating and knocking out the defending champion Denver Nuggets. I think that stuff really helps. But going to Minneapolis, playing at Georgia, not making March Madness makes it an uphill climb, and I think that's one of the things about being faced in the league. In the NBA, the NBA is very different. In the NFL, it's all about winning. Nobody cares about anything else. Basketball is different. Optics matter, style matters. The first player I fell in love with was Doctor j. He wasn't the best shooter, the best ball handler. He was cool, sweeping his hands under the back. It is like, I've never seen anything like that, and many. I mean, I've argued there's only been five to six faces of the league ever, Magic and Bird, more magic than Bird because Magic embraced it. Lebron, MJ Staff, Kobe Shack, that's it. Duncan was never that Kobe by himself. I didn't think was ever that it was more of a Kobe Shack tandem deal. But the ratings for these playoff games have been excellent. Lakers game something got a big number. I don't think you have to have Ocean's eleven was fine with a bunch of good actors. The NFL as popular as it is, Farv retired, Brady retired, Manning retired, Aaron's going to retire. Ratings go up. But we live in a very distracted world right now. And I will say this, The problem the NBA has is its regular season ratings. Well, SODA's hockey and baseball. So talked about this on the show a lot. We've become an event nation with all the distractions, a very polarizing political world. Trump, Biden, it doesn't matter. It's a very polarizing world we live in. Biden was polarizing Trump's Polari. So you're just losing people. But you know when you don't lose them when the games matter World Cup, Olympics, NFL Sunday, college football.

And these playoff games.

And these playoff games.

I think Ant has a chance to be the face of the league. Most of the faces of the league, if not initially, eventually got a great coach. Took Michael a fewd to get Phil. I do think Chris Finch has a low profile because he has no interest being you know, front and center. But right now they're out coaching JJ Reddick, who I like, but they are throwing so many different lineups and so many different looks. Finch within the league is very highly regarded, so it's not always your first coach, and it's not what was the highest profile coach. Lebron's a little bit of an outlier where he's had multiple coaches. But most of the time you get a Magic and a pat Riley, you get a Michael and of Phil Jackson, you get a Staff and a Steve Kerr. There's like a legendary coach. This is the same with quarterbacks. You Marino has a Shoela, Elway has got a Shanahan, Brady's got a Belichick, Mahomes has an Andy Reid, Breeze has a Sean Payton most of the time. Eventually, you need that great coach to really understand you, to elevate you, to surround you with the right people. So I think Ant has a shot to be the face of the league. Knocking the Lakers out will not hurt and it looks like they will.

I think Ant has a chance to be the face of the league. Most of the faces of the league, if not initially, eventually got a great coach. Took Michael a fewd to get Phil. I do think Chris Finch has a low profile because he has no interest being you know, front and center. But right now they're out coaching JJ Reddick, who I like, but they are throwing so many different lineups and so many different looks. Finch within the league is very highly regarded, so it's not always your first coach, and it's not what was the highest profile coach. Lebron's a little bit of an outlier where he's had multiple coaches. But most of the time you get a Magic and a pat Riley, you get a Michael and of Phil Jackson, you get a Staff and a Steve Kerr. There's like a legendary coach. This is the same with quarterbacks. You Marino has a Shoela, Elway has got a Shanahan, Brady's got a Belichick, Mahomes has an Andy Reid, Breeze has a Sean Payton most of the time. Eventually, you need that great coach to really understand you, to elevate you, to surround you with the right people. So I think Ant has a shot to be the face of the league. Knocking the Lakers out will not hurt and it looks like they will.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and noon eastern non am Pacific.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and noon eastern non am Pacific.

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 Video and of course the iHeartRadio app.

You could catch us weekdays from five to seven pm Eastern two to four Pacific on Fox Sports Video and of course the iHeartRadio app.

Why should you listen to Covino and Rich.

Why should you listen to Covino and Rich.

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.

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.

So check us out.

We like to get you involved too, take your phone calls, chop it up.

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.

As they say, I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the most interactive show on planetar.

Be sure to check out Covino and Rich live on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app from five to seven pm Eastern two to four Pacific.

Be sure to check out Covino 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 Covino and Rich wherever you get your podcasts, and of course on social media that's Covino and Rich.

And if you miss any of the live show, just search Covino and Rich wherever you get your podcasts, and of course on social media that's Covino and Rich.

Uh.

Uh.

And it was too many amazing that Shador Sanders fell on the draft with that one of my favorite people at Fox, Greg Olsen, fourteen years in the NFL.

And it was too many amazing that Shador Sanders fell on the draft with that one of my favorite people at Fox, Greg Olsen, fourteen years in the NFL.

Is now joining US Live. You know, I heard it was funny after Friday show Greg before the second round.

Is now joining US Live. You know, I heard it was funny after Friday show Greg before the second round.

But after my show I called an executive in the league and he said to me, he goes watch the next six picks and the first six picks in the second round, and he says, if those first six picks in the second round, if they don't take Shadu or what the league is telling you is we see him as a backup now and backup quarterback. As Albert Breer said today, we want it to be like mix in with the furniture. Like backup quarterback is a guy that can go into a local mall with sunglasses and nobody recognizes them, not Cam Newton or Tim Tebow. So were you shocked once he didn't go in the first were you shocked to be fell.

But after my show I called an executive in the league and he said to me, he goes watch the next six picks and the first six picks in the second round, and he says, if those first six picks in the second round, if they don't take Shadu or what the league is telling you is we see him as a backup now and backup quarterback. As Albert Breer said today, we want it to be like mix in with the furniture. Like backup quarterback is a guy that can go into a local mall with sunglasses and nobody recognizes them, not Cam Newton or Tim Tebow. So were you shocked once he didn't go in the first were you shocked to be fell.

I think that's the name of the game, right. So there's an inverse relationship in the NFL. So we'll just start just generally speaking with most roster players, not just the quarterback. There's an inverse ratio between the more you bring with you, the more I don't want to call it distraction, because sometimes it's a real net positive, right, We'll call it attention. The more attention you bring upon yourself, the more attention you go out and seek, the more the teams will tolerate more of it, the better a player you are.

I think that's the name of the game, right. So there's an inverse relationship in the NFL. So we'll just start just generally speaking with most roster players, not just the quarterback. There's an inverse ratio between the more you bring with you, the more I don't want to call it distraction, because sometimes it's a real net positive, right, We'll call it attention. The more attention you bring upon yourself, the more attention you go out and seek, the more the teams will tolerate more of it, the better a player you are.

Right.

Right.

So there's like this inverse relationship between those two elements. Now you add into the fact that it's the quarterback, right, the league has shown us and there's a million examples the league has shown us they want guys that don't there's no extra there's no concerns, there's no where's his head at, where where's his attention? Lying? What are his priorities? And again I don't know Shidor that well. Obviously Dion and we all know his background. But I think as the draft gets later and later, the element was is the guy good.

So there's like this inverse relationship between those two elements. Now you add into the fact that it's the quarterback, right, the league has shown us and there's a million examples the league has shown us they want guys that don't there's no extra there's no concerns, there's no where's his head at, where where's his attention? Lying? What are his priorities? And again I don't know Shidor that well. Obviously Dion and we all know his background. But I think as the draft gets later and later, the element was is the guy good.

Enough to play in the NFL? Yes?

Enough to play in the NFL? Yes?

Is he a top tier talent where we're willing to then also take maybe everything else that comes with it. And I think a lot of it's harmless. I think a lot of it's attention seeking. I think it's an environment that we've created in college where you know, there's a lot more that comes with playing quarterback nowadays in college than it was when I was in college.

Is he a top tier talent where we're willing to then also take maybe everything else that comes with it. And I think a lot of it's harmless. I think a lot of it's attention seeking. I think it's an environment that we've created in college where you know, there's a lot more that comes with playing quarterback nowadays in college than it was when I was in college.

So I think that we've almost.

So I think that we've almost.

Created that as a system and as a society, and now teams have to make a decision if that guy's not going to be my all pro quarterback, do I want to put up with it? And I think that's really the test that we saw play out over the course of the draft. And listen, could he end up being a steal there in the fifth round?

Created that as a system and as a society, and now teams have to make a decision if that guy's not going to be my all pro quarterback, do I want to put up with it? And I think that's really the test that we saw play out over the course of the draft. And listen, could he end up being a steal there in the fifth round?

Yes?

Yes?

Has he shown at two different spots in colleges that he could go to teams that didn't necessarily have a great tradition of winning and turn the program around and bring attention and energy and buzz. Absolutely, he did it twice. So I'm not throwing him yet. I'm not throwing him to the Wolves and saying he has no career, but I think he needs to take a good, hard reset and say, you know what it's all about ball. It's all about me giving myself to have a chance to have a career in this league. And if it's as a backup and then I worked to a starter, whatever.

Has he shown at two different spots in colleges that he could go to teams that didn't necessarily have a great tradition of winning and turn the program around and bring attention and energy and buzz. Absolutely, he did it twice. So I'm not throwing him yet. I'm not throwing him to the Wolves and saying he has no career, but I think he needs to take a good, hard reset and say, you know what it's all about ball. It's all about me giving myself to have a chance to have a career in this league. And if it's as a backup and then I worked to a starter, whatever.

That path is.

That path is.

But the league I think has shown and the message was pretty clear, you better be really really talented, especially quarterback if we're going to put up with a lot of other attention, a lot of other things.

But the league I think has shown and the message was pretty clear, you better be really really talented, especially quarterback if we're going to put up with a lot of other attention, a lot of other things.

So you're a former Miami Hurricane. Cam Ward was a zero star recruit. I watched him at Washington State. I thought, oh, that's fun, but he's not an NFL guy. Then he goes to Miami and I'm like, okay, that works. You watch a lot of Hurricane football. Did you when you were watching him this year? Did you think, oh, that's the number one pick in the draft? I mean, did you see it immediately?

So you're a former Miami Hurricane. Cam Ward was a zero star recruit. I watched him at Washington State. I thought, oh, that's fun, but he's not an NFL guy. Then he goes to Miami and I'm like, okay, that works. You watch a lot of Hurricane football. Did you when you were watching him this year? Did you think, oh, that's the number one pick in the draft? I mean, did you see it immediately?

You know? So it's kind of funny.

You know? So it's kind of funny.

I think cam Ward is such a great example, especially in this like college football landscape where the zero star guy multiple colleges, three stops later, one year at Miami and he's the number one overall pick and he couldn't buy a scholarship at high school. And then all the kids making ten you know, ten million dollar nil deals that are five stars, are now on their fifth school. They've all trended downward, and they're all fighting, not all, but many of them are fighting for their lives. I think it's a great reminder for everybody out there that although the system is what it is, it's by no means indicative of what your future is. On top of that, to answer your question, I had dinner with Mario Chris Ball tomorrow. Chris Ball the head football coach at Miami. He was my tight end coach in Miami. I've known him since I was sixteen. He recruited me when I was a sophomore in high school when he was at Rutgers with Greg Cianno, we go way back, and I had dinner with him after spring ball, before summer camp, before last season, and he said, Greg, we've had a lot of like dogs and this, you know, the Sean Taylors and the Antrell Roles and the you know Edger and James, and we've had some really big time personalities that have taken charge of a locker room. Here, he goes, In all my years at Miami, I'm not sure if we've had a guy like cam Ward who from day one changed everything about who we were, our identity, how we practice, how we met.

I think cam Ward is such a great example, especially in this like college football landscape where the zero star guy multiple colleges, three stops later, one year at Miami and he's the number one overall pick and he couldn't buy a scholarship at high school. And then all the kids making ten you know, ten million dollar nil deals that are five stars, are now on their fifth school. They've all trended downward, and they're all fighting, not all, but many of them are fighting for their lives. I think it's a great reminder for everybody out there that although the system is what it is, it's by no means indicative of what your future is. On top of that, to answer your question, I had dinner with Mario Chris Ball tomorrow. Chris Ball the head football coach at Miami. He was my tight end coach in Miami. I've known him since I was sixteen. He recruited me when I was a sophomore in high school when he was at Rutgers with Greg Cianno, we go way back, and I had dinner with him after spring ball, before summer camp, before last season, and he said, Greg, we've had a lot of like dogs and this, you know, the Sean Taylors and the Antrell Roles and the you know Edger and James, and we've had some really big time personalities that have taken charge of a locker room. Here, he goes, In all my years at Miami, I'm not sure if we've had a guy like cam Ward who from day one changed everything about who we were, our identity, how we practice, how we met.

He goes, wait till you see this kid this year.

He goes, wait till you see this kid this year.

I went to the opening game down at the Swamp in person on the sideline and watched him his first ever start at Miami against Florida, and I came away and I don't know if I would have said he's the number one overall pick right.

I went to the opening game down at the Swamp in person on the sideline and watched him his first ever start at Miami against Florida, and I came away and I don't know if I would have said he's the number one overall pick right.

The footwork's a little awkward, he throws off plane.

The footwork's a little awkward, he throws off plane.

I wouldn't say it's how you would necessarily teach a young kid to play. It's a little more mahomes Ish as far as a little unconventional but special. But his season is pretty remarkable what he did at Miami, the culture and energy besides just the player.

I wouldn't say it's how you would necessarily teach a young kid to play. It's a little more mahomes Ish as far as a little unconventional but special. But his season is pretty remarkable what he did at Miami, the culture and energy besides just the player.

To a man at.

To a man at.

Miami, when you said who is the most impactful player in that locker room in the last five ten years, it's cam Warden.

Miami, when you said who is the most impactful player in that locker room in the last five ten years, it's cam Warden.

Yeah, that's a great straight he looks as a great kid.

Yeah, that's a great straight he looks as a great kid.

Explain to me, I would put Travis Hunter on offense, and I'd want him in the offensive meeting rooms. But he's too good if there's a show hey thing here, probably too good not to play on defense. Explain to me, install day, how does that work?

Explain to me, I would put Travis Hunter on offense, and I'd want him in the offensive meeting rooms. But he's too good if there's a show hey thing here, probably too good not to play on defense. Explain to me, install day, how does that work?

What meeting is he in?

What meeting is he in?

All?

All?

Right? So if I was the coach, right, I have the magic wand and I'm in charge, I'm putting him to start in most defensive back meetings.

Right? So if I was the coach, right, I have the magic wand and I'm in charge, I'm putting him to start in most defensive back meetings.

I think playing wide.

I think playing wide.

Receiver young in the NFL is a little bit easier, especially when you consider how talented he is physically. It's a little bit easier to build offensive packages for a wide receiver and start those out. You know, he might have ten to fifteen calls in any game plan going into any week than it is to do the opposite, To spend all of your time on offense and then we're going to build out a defensive coverage plan.

Receiver young in the NFL is a little bit easier, especially when you consider how talented he is physically. It's a little bit easier to build offensive packages for a wide receiver and start those out. You know, he might have ten to fifteen calls in any game plan going into any week than it is to do the opposite, To spend all of your time on offense and then we're going to build out a defensive coverage plan.

It doesn't really work like that.

It doesn't really work like that.

Playing corner, especially young in the NFL, is incredibly difficult. They're hard to find. They don't grow on trees. There just are more wide receivers in all shapes and sizes that can run, catch, athletic and create problems with the ball in your hands.

Playing corner, especially young in the NFL, is incredibly difficult. They're hard to find. They don't grow on trees. There just are more wide receivers in all shapes and sizes that can run, catch, athletic and create problems with the ball in your hands.

So I agree you got to use them on both.

So I agree you got to use them on both.

I would emphasize early, teaching him how to be an all pro corner and then he can learn. And then offense, there's there's packages, there's reversus screens. Teach them a handful of the route tree, teach them the offense, and you can slow play and almost protect him as an offensive play caller because we can tell him exactly what your role is. Here are the plays to be prepared for. On defense, you're at corner. We've got to be able to play man zone, too high, single high zone. We've got to be able to play fire blit zones. The other team could come out in two backs. They can come out and spread. You could play to the boundary, you could play to the field. Defense, there's a lot more on your plate because you're reacting to what the offense can do. Offensive play caller, I can control what I expose him to, especially early, not overwhelm him, control that side of the ball.

I would emphasize early, teaching him how to be an all pro corner and then he can learn. And then offense, there's there's packages, there's reversus screens. Teach them a handful of the route tree, teach them the offense, and you can slow play and almost protect him as an offensive play caller because we can tell him exactly what your role is. Here are the plays to be prepared for. On defense, you're at corner. We've got to be able to play man zone, too high, single high zone. We've got to be able to play fire blit zones. The other team could come out in two backs. They can come out and spread. You could play to the boundary, you could play to the field. Defense, there's a lot more on your plate because you're reacting to what the offense can do. Offensive play caller, I can control what I expose him to, especially early, not overwhelm him, control that side of the ball.

So that's how I would handle him.

So that's how I would handle him.

I just think defensive back in the NFL nowadays, with the passing of the league and the way the league is going.

I just think defensive back in the NFL nowadays, with the passing of the league and the way the league is going.

You just can't find enough of those guys. And when you find a special one, he needs to play defense.

You just can't find enough of those guys. And when you find a special one, he needs to play defense.

So your career at the end was with Pete Carroll. One of the few draft picks that I felt was kind of obvious. I didn't hit on many of them, but I thought Ashton Gent Gino Smith is actually a pretty darn good quarterback when he throws on play action, when you force him to throw on third and eleven. You know, that's the Mahomes Josh Allen where they can make it work. You know Pete, you know how he views the running game. Talk a little bit that about that le Gent who's dynamic, but you can also get short yardage with because he's so strong.

So your career at the end was with Pete Carroll. One of the few draft picks that I felt was kind of obvious. I didn't hit on many of them, but I thought Ashton Gent Gino Smith is actually a pretty darn good quarterback when he throws on play action, when you force him to throw on third and eleven. You know, that's the Mahomes Josh Allen where they can make it work. You know Pete, you know how he views the running game. Talk a little bit that about that le Gent who's dynamic, but you can also get short yardage with because he's so strong.

Yeah, I'm with you.

Yeah, I'm with you.

I think of all the drafts there in the top ten, call it that one made the most sense. Like that, just felt that's his Marshawn, That's that's his bel cow, that's his guy. That is the identity of Pete. Play great defense, control to run, play action. He went out and got brought Gino with him. Gino understands what Pete wants to be, understands the offense he wants to implement, and then new factor, and he's got two young tight ends. I would argue brock Powers he very well could be the best young tight end to come out of college in the last ten years. Like I think he's that special. I thought he was that good when he was at Georgia. So two young tight ends with mayor from Notre Dame from the previous year that Rockbert Bowers going into a second year, continue to invest in an offensive line. Now a bellcout quarterback, running back, get under center with Gino, play action on early downs. You're right, the guys that make sixty five seventy million dollars, those guys are good on first and second down, and they're good on third and fifteen when everyone in the building knows it's a pass. That's why there's Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow, etc. The vast majority of the league. And this is not a knock the vast majority of the league. The formula is, you want to throw play action downs on first and second down, and you do not want to be and must pass downs. That is the formula on ninety percent of NFL rosters.

I think of all the drafts there in the top ten, call it that one made the most sense. Like that, just felt that's his Marshawn, That's that's his bel cow, that's his guy. That is the identity of Pete. Play great defense, control to run, play action. He went out and got brought Gino with him. Gino understands what Pete wants to be, understands the offense he wants to implement, and then new factor, and he's got two young tight ends. I would argue brock Powers he very well could be the best young tight end to come out of college in the last ten years. Like I think he's that special. I thought he was that good when he was at Georgia. So two young tight ends with mayor from Notre Dame from the previous year that Rockbert Bowers going into a second year, continue to invest in an offensive line. Now a bellcout quarterback, running back, get under center with Gino, play action on early downs. You're right, the guys that make sixty five seventy million dollars, those guys are good on first and second down, and they're good on third and fifteen when everyone in the building knows it's a pass. That's why there's Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow, etc. The vast majority of the league. And this is not a knock the vast majority of the league. The formula is, you want to throw play action downs on first and second down, and you do not want to be and must pass downs. That is the formula on ninety percent of NFL rosters.

Until you have the.

Until you have the.

Elite of the elite and every down is a passing down. But there's only a couple of those guys. So I think the formula works. He has showed that it's worked for a long time. He's got the quarterback that can do it. He's got it back. Now he's got the tight ends. Continue to invest in the offensive line, and all of a sudden, this look like what a Pete Carroll offense wants to be.

Elite of the elite and every down is a passing down. But there's only a couple of those guys. So I think the formula works. He has showed that it's worked for a long time. He's got the quarterback that can do it. He's got it back. Now he's got the tight ends. Continue to invest in the offensive line, and all of a sudden, this look like what a Pete Carroll offense wants to be.

Finally, you played with Cam Newton, a spectacularly gifted athlete who was also a good pocket guy when he wanted to be. You also played in Chicago and you were a big part of Cam's career the tight end. Okay, so now the Bears, with a spectacularly talented quarterback in Chicago, say we're going.

Finally, you played with Cam Newton, a spectacularly gifted athlete who was also a good pocket guy when he wanted to be. You also played in Chicago and you were a big part of Cam's career the tight end. Okay, so now the Bears, with a spectacularly talented quarterback in Chicago, say we're going.

To get another tight end.

To get another tight end.

So I think that you could say, boy, Colston Lovelin went high. They just got Romadonze, they had Cole Comet. But there is to talk about why tight end is so crucial for everybody but really athletic quarterbacks. And I mean, you were Cam's guy, And I don't know, I just look at Caleb and Colston and I think that's going to work. And I loved the pick. Or is it just this that tight ends mean more to young quarterbacks, is that it.

So I think that you could say, boy, Colston Lovelin went high. They just got Romadonze, they had Cole Comet. But there is to talk about why tight end is so crucial for everybody but really athletic quarterbacks. And I mean, you were Cam's guy, And I don't know, I just look at Caleb and Colston and I think that's going to work. And I loved the pick. Or is it just this that tight ends mean more to young quarterbacks, is that it.

Well.

Well.

I definitely think tight ends mean a lot to young quarterbacks. I think that's been proving. There's a lot of examples throughout it. I also think tight ends bring a lot of value in today's style the way that these offensive coordinators you look obviously Ben Johnson, now the style in which these offensive play callers want to operate. The tight end is a huge role in that because, again, like we said, if you want to get under center, and you want to get into early play action on run fifty to fifty downs, and you want to be able to keep the defense in single high coverages for all your crossers and your layers and all your deep shots, you can't be in a let you can't be in ten personnel right. You can't have four wide receiver types and one back in the back right. So you got to have somebody that can keep you honest in the why position, the tight end position. He could be an off ball player, he's an on ball player. There's a lot of ways to do it, but there needs to be some form of threat on first and second down that you're not just in past personnel in shotgun.

I definitely think tight ends mean a lot to young quarterbacks. I think that's been proving. There's a lot of examples throughout it. I also think tight ends bring a lot of value in today's style the way that these offensive coordinators you look obviously Ben Johnson, now the style in which these offensive play callers want to operate. The tight end is a huge role in that because, again, like we said, if you want to get under center, and you want to get into early play action on run fifty to fifty downs, and you want to be able to keep the defense in single high coverages for all your crossers and your layers and all your deep shots, you can't be in a let you can't be in ten personnel right. You can't have four wide receiver types and one back in the back right. So you got to have somebody that can keep you honest in the why position, the tight end position. He could be an off ball player, he's an on ball player. There's a lot of ways to do it, but there needs to be some form of threat on first and second down that you're not just in past personnel in shotgun.

The entire game.

The entire game.

We've seen that that approach across the league is very difficult. So now you bring in Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams. Now you have Cole Comet, who you mentioned Rome Denze from last year. Don't forget they got DJ Moore from the Bryce Young trade, you know, a couple of years ago. Now you add in you know, so all of a sudden, now they've invested multiple offensive linemen. They're saying, we need our number one overall pick to succeed. We got him the coach, We've got him the line, we've got him the skill players. Now we'll worry about going back and worrying about building up the defense. But remember offensive coaches, Colin, if you're good on offense and the defense struggles, you can always find a new defensive coordinator.

We've seen that that approach across the league is very difficult. So now you bring in Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams. Now you have Cole Comet, who you mentioned Rome Denze from last year. Don't forget they got DJ Moore from the Bryce Young trade, you know, a couple of years ago. Now you add in you know, so all of a sudden, now they've invested multiple offensive linemen. They're saying, we need our number one overall pick to succeed. We got him the coach, We've got him the line, we've got him the skill players. Now we'll worry about going back and worrying about building up the defense. But remember offensive coaches, Colin, if you're good on offense and the defense struggles, you can always find a new defensive coordinator.

That's the formata we see that. I hate to.

That's the formata we see that. I hate to.

Say it, but when they were struggling in Philadelphia and they couldn't get the defense right following Jonathan Gannon, all of a sudden, a year later, who's available Vic Fangiel. Yeah, all of a sudden in the Cincinnati they've got the greatest offense in the league, offensive minded coach and Zach Robinson and Zach Taylor.

Say it, but when they were struggling in Philadelphia and they couldn't get the defense right following Jonathan Gannon, all of a sudden, a year later, who's available Vic Fangiel. Yeah, all of a sudden in the Cincinnati they've got the greatest offense in the league, offensive minded coach and Zach Robinson and Zach Taylor.

Zach Taylor, and what do they do.

Zach Taylor, and what do they do.

They get rid of a defensive coordinator who was up to be a head coach just a year or two before.

They get rid of a defensive coordinator who was up to be a head coach just a year or two before.

So that's the formula.

So that's the formula.

Get your young quarterback settled, get your new offensive minded head coach, Ben Johnson, get him going on offense, and then we have time to finish up complimenting the defense. That's the NFL formula, and I think the Bears have four to five wins built into this just by getting organized offensively with Ben Johnson in company, I think there's a four game elevation within that roster just by getting organized offensively.

Get your young quarterback settled, get your new offensive minded head coach, Ben Johnson, get him going on offense, and then we have time to finish up complimenting the defense. That's the NFL formula, and I think the Bears have four to five wins built into this just by getting organized offensively with Ben Johnson in company, I think there's a four game elevation within that roster just by getting organized offensively.

Greg Olsen, you do great work, my friend, as all as I appreciate you stopping by

Greg Olsen, you do great work, my friend, as all as I appreciate you stopping by