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 noon Pacific. Find your local station for The Herd at Fox Sports Radio dot com, or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR.

Thanks for listening to the 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 noon Pacific. Find your local station for The Herd at Fox Sports Radio dot com, or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR.

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

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

Here we Go.

Here we Go.

It is a Thursday, our post NFL schedule release show. The Warriors season is now officially done. Live. It's the Herd wherever you may be, however you may be listening.

It is a Thursday, our post NFL schedule release show. The Warriors season is now officially done. Live. It's the Herd wherever you may be, however you may be listening.

Thanks for making us part of your day.

Thanks for making us part of your day.

Well, you know, Jmac, there are certain things in sports that gotta get weird over years ago. People used to think it was a weirdo twenty years ago because I love the draft so much. But everybody's coming around on not the schedule release. It's another one of those that I think it does matter. Especially most teams in this league are playing on the margins. They're not Baltimore or Philadelphia where they've got better personnel and star quarterbacks and they're winning by ten to twelve points. A lot of teams those you know, Tua playing up north in December is a disadvantage for the Dolphins.

Well, you know, Jmac, there are certain things in sports that gotta get weird over years ago. People used to think it was a weirdo twenty years ago because I love the draft so much. But everybody's coming around on not the schedule release. It's another one of those that I think it does matter. Especially most teams in this league are playing on the margins. They're not Baltimore or Philadelphia where they've got better personnel and star quarterbacks and they're winning by ten to twelve points. A lot of teams those you know, Tua playing up north in December is a disadvantage for the Dolphins.

You have to look at that right, huge.

You have to look at that right, huge.

Yeah, and I got to thank the NFL for giving my Jets a one or zero start to the season. We get the Steelers that hold open and makes it Rudolph not Aaron.

Yeah, and I got to thank the NFL for giving my Jets a one or zero start to the season. We get the Steelers that hold open and makes it Rudolph not Aaron.

Well, let's start with this.

Well, let's start with this.

So my one takeaway the NFL schedule, and it's a fairly obvious one. Kansas City that is rough. So Kansas City does not have a great O line and they're going to try to figure it out. And they're using a backup at left tackle that hasn't really started and been the man from the Niners. So and it's a hard unit to create cohesion. And if you look at their first ten games, even the teams that we view as weaker teams like the Giants good pass rush, Jacksonville pass rush raiders, Max Crosby, So even the Wu's could create problems for them. Forget Denver that led the NFL in sacks, you face them.

So my one takeaway the NFL schedule, and it's a fairly obvious one. Kansas City that is rough. So Kansas City does not have a great O line and they're going to try to figure it out. And they're using a backup at left tackle that hasn't really started and been the man from the Niners. So and it's a hard unit to create cohesion. And if you look at their first ten games, even the teams that we view as weaker teams like the Giants good pass rush, Jacksonville pass rush raiders, Max Crosby, So even the Wu's could create problems for them. Forget Denver that led the NFL in sacks, you face them.

Conversely, the Chargers.

Conversely, the Chargers.

Jim Harball look at his career in year two, everywhere he goes, Chargers revamped run game, high end left and right tackles, have a cookie dough soft schedule in the middle of the season to gain momentum. So my prediction that the Chargers win this division with a weaker schedule really plays in the middle of the season. You're starting to get dinged up, you're not playing with full rosters. It is really soft with the Chargers and I again, we've watched We've watched the Chiefs and Mahomes get blown out in two Super Bowls. It's always been the same reason, old line's not right. Well, I think they're going into a season where the old line's not right. Add another thing, Kansas City opens in Brazil. They have the most seven prime time games. That's what the NFL does once you're the star attraction.

Jim Harball look at his career in year two, everywhere he goes, Chargers revamped run game, high end left and right tackles, have a cookie dough soft schedule in the middle of the season to gain momentum. So my prediction that the Chargers win this division with a weaker schedule really plays in the middle of the season. You're starting to get dinged up, you're not playing with full rosters. It is really soft with the Chargers and I again, we've watched We've watched the Chiefs and Mahomes get blown out in two Super Bowls. It's always been the same reason, old line's not right. Well, I think they're going into a season where the old line's not right. Add another thing, Kansas City opens in Brazil. They have the most seven prime time games. That's what the NFL does once you're the star attraction.

They have the.

They have the.

Lions on a short week. Oh that's not good. They have the Buffalo Bills on a short week. Yeah, that's not good either. Remember that Brazil game. Last year, Philadelphia went to Brazil and beat Green Bay. The Eagles came back groggy and the next week lost to the Atlanta Falcons. So that'll take some that'll take some air out of the sales. Here's what we know. Andy Reid and Mahomes are as good as anybody in the world at what they do. But again, this team played on the margins last year, okay, and I think with this O line the kryptonite to Kansas City in their two Super Bowl blowout losses has been the O line. This going into a season they lost Joe Toney is their weakest O line. A little bit of finger crossing here. Last year's was okay going into the season, a bit of a mess at the end of the season. So this is not a team like Baltimore, Detroit, Philadelphia with stacked rosters that are not playing on the margins. They're getting seven or eight blowout games a year when margins shrink, everything counts. This team had the third lowest point differential in the AFC West, so in their own division, Denver and the Chargers had more blowout wins, and I think Denver and the Chargers will be noticeably better bo Knicks now into a second year with Peyton. They had some interesting draft picks at running back and wide receiver. So the downside to becoming America's team is that the NFL this is what they do. And I can remember after the Giants would win a Super Bowl in Conflin and Eli and they'd put them on Sunday night and they'd flex them in and everybody loved it except the giants and the older players. So here is Travis Kelcey on his podcast New Heights talking about that opener in Brazil.

Lions on a short week. Oh that's not good. They have the Buffalo Bills on a short week. Yeah, that's not good either. Remember that Brazil game. Last year, Philadelphia went to Brazil and beat Green Bay. The Eagles came back groggy and the next week lost to the Atlanta Falcons. So that'll take some that'll take some air out of the sales. Here's what we know. Andy Reid and Mahomes are as good as anybody in the world at what they do. But again, this team played on the margins last year, okay, and I think with this O line the kryptonite to Kansas City in their two Super Bowl blowout losses has been the O line. This going into a season they lost Joe Toney is their weakest O line. A little bit of finger crossing here. Last year's was okay going into the season, a bit of a mess at the end of the season. So this is not a team like Baltimore, Detroit, Philadelphia with stacked rosters that are not playing on the margins. They're getting seven or eight blowout games a year when margins shrink, everything counts. This team had the third lowest point differential in the AFC West, so in their own division, Denver and the Chargers had more blowout wins, and I think Denver and the Chargers will be noticeably better bo Knicks now into a second year with Peyton. They had some interesting draft picks at running back and wide receiver. So the downside to becoming America's team is that the NFL this is what they do. And I can remember after the Giants would win a Super Bowl in Conflin and Eli and they'd put them on Sunday night and they'd flex them in and everybody loved it except the giants and the older players. So here is Travis Kelcey on his podcast New Heights talking about that opener in Brazil.

And I'll be there. Yeah, I'll be there pretty busy in the heat. If it's human, I'm going to be miserable. I'm gonna make it. I'm I'm gonna be just surrounded by the Amazon rainforest. This is a good point. If it's hot and humid and kind of what I'm expecting, I'm going to be miserable. But we're going to find a way to get a win.

And I'll be there. Yeah, I'll be there pretty busy in the heat. If it's human, I'm going to be miserable. I'm gonna make it. I'm I'm gonna be just surrounded by the Amazon rainforest. This is a good point. If it's hot and humid and kind of what I'm expecting, I'm going to be miserable. But we're going to find a way to get a win.

Hip hip hooray.

Hip hip hooray.

So my number one take Kansas City going into a season with an offensive.

So my number one take Kansas City going into a season with an offensive.

Line I don't love.

Line I don't love.

I mean, when you start looking last year at the teams at the end of the season that are really formidable and leaning on people, a lot of them Washington was an exception, had really really buttoned up o lines.

I mean, when you start looking last year at the teams at the end of the season that are really formidable and leaning on people, a lot of them Washington was an exception, had really really buttoned up o lines.

All right, So the Warriors lost.

All right, So the Warriors lost.

The oldest interesting team in the league is out Minnesota that's got some age, but much deeper, bigger roster prevails pretty easily. Jimmy Butler w on he took eleven shots. Some of that is energy, some of that was Kaminga had a lot of energy. Minnesota got great looks. All you had to do is look at the box score and it tells you Golden State was tired. Minnesota shot sixty three percent, dominated in the paint, had almost double the assists. They were moving very well. Julius Randall thirteen of eighteen Bullyball. The three best Warriors, Butler, Steph, and Draymond all out of their prime. Two thirty five year olds and a thirty seven year old, and they're only getting older. So all it took was a popped hamstring and the house collapses. It's interesting Jonathan Kaminga, who just doesn't.

The oldest interesting team in the league is out Minnesota that's got some age, but much deeper, bigger roster prevails pretty easily. Jimmy Butler w on he took eleven shots. Some of that is energy, some of that was Kaminga had a lot of energy. Minnesota got great looks. All you had to do is look at the box score and it tells you Golden State was tired. Minnesota shot sixty three percent, dominated in the paint, had almost double the assists. They were moving very well. Julius Randall thirteen of eighteen Bullyball. The three best Warriors, Butler, Steph, and Draymond all out of their prime. Two thirty five year olds and a thirty seven year old, and they're only getting older. So all it took was a popped hamstring and the house collapses. It's interesting Jonathan Kaminga, who just doesn't.

Work with Butler and staff. He's great.

Work with Butler and staff. He's great.

He was great when Steph got hurt, so they'll be able to show that off. And he raised his market value because everybody has sort of understood that the Steph offense, that ecosystem, it's just not friendly the young players. James Wiseman never got it going. Cominga can't be on the floor with Butler and Steph. It just doesn't work. But he was the one guy last night that jumped off the TV. He was the one guy you looked at and thought, oh, he can go toe to toe with Minnesota's athletic bigs, so they'll have a market for him.

He was great when Steph got hurt, so they'll be able to show that off. And he raised his market value because everybody has sort of understood that the Steph offense, that ecosystem, it's just not friendly the young players. James Wiseman never got it going. Cominga can't be on the floor with Butler and Steph. It just doesn't work. But he was the one guy last night that jumped off the TV. He was the one guy you looked at and thought, oh, he can go toe to toe with Minnesota's athletic bigs, so they'll have a market for him.

And Pods is a guy you have to keep.

And Pods is a guy you have to keep.

He's got a market as well, but you're gonna have to move off at least one of your really good young players. So the Warriors to some degree have become an antique store, and Okase is the Apple store right next door. And I think the Warriors are gonna get worse every year unless they pull off a big, big deal for Kaminga. People are gonna want Pods and cominga, they'll keep Pods. They view him as sort of a staph an emerging shooter that works with Steph. But I will say this, you know what, It really reminds me of watching last night. So I and Belichick took the hit for all of the shortcomings for the New England offense right before Tom left. But just consider New England and Belichick and Brady, the Warriors staff and Steve Kerr. They built a very high intellect, sophisticated offense, both Kerr and Curry and Draymond.

He's got a market as well, but you're gonna have to move off at least one of your really good young players. So the Warriors to some degree have become an antique store, and Okase is the Apple store right next door. And I think the Warriors are gonna get worse every year unless they pull off a big, big deal for Kaminga. People are gonna want Pods and cominga, they'll keep Pods. They view him as sort of a staph an emerging shooter that works with Steph. But I will say this, you know what, It really reminds me of watching last night. So I and Belichick took the hit for all of the shortcomings for the New England offense right before Tom left. But just consider New England and Belichick and Brady, the Warriors staff and Steve Kerr. They built a very high intellect, sophisticated offense, both Kerr and Curry and Draymond.

It's very sophisticated.

It's very sophisticated.

Young people struggle and for years, everybody always said, well, why can't New England, why can't they draft the wide receiver. Well, some of it was most of it was Belichick wasn't a good drafter. Some of it was Tom didn't want a babysit them. And so what you have. You have the benefit of the brilliance of Belichick and the brilliance of Steve Kerr. You have the benefit of Brady and Steph. But these are so high functioning, almost academic offenses. They don't play with kids. Well New England didn't. That's why New England got old and slow, really fast. Brady went young down in Tampa, and that's why it looked. When you watch Okai and you watch Indiana, and you watch these young teams Houston, and then you watch Golden State, some of it is on this offense that just doesn't play well with others under the age of twenty three years old. That's what New England became. So I just think they're just getting a year older. I think all these Houston's, Indiana's maybe some degree in New York still got some youth Cleveland. I think those teams are getting better. I think the Warriors are getting older. But Steve Kerr is still a believer.

Young people struggle and for years, everybody always said, well, why can't New England, why can't they draft the wide receiver. Well, some of it was most of it was Belichick wasn't a good drafter. Some of it was Tom didn't want a babysit them. And so what you have. You have the benefit of the brilliance of Belichick and the brilliance of Steve Kerr. You have the benefit of Brady and Steph. But these are so high functioning, almost academic offenses. They don't play with kids. Well New England didn't. That's why New England got old and slow, really fast. Brady went young down in Tampa, and that's why it looked. When you watch Okai and you watch Indiana, and you watch these young teams Houston, and then you watch Golden State, some of it is on this offense that just doesn't play well with others under the age of twenty three years old. That's what New England became. So I just think they're just getting a year older. I think all these Houston's, Indiana's maybe some degree in New York still got some youth Cleveland. I think those teams are getting better. I think the Warriors are getting older. But Steve Kerr is still a believer.

I know we had a shot. I know we could have gone the distance. Maybe we wouldn't have, but it doesn't matter. Again, everything in the playoffs is about who stays healthy and who gets hot. You know, are you playing well at the right time, do you have multiple guys step up in key games, make shots, and do you have good health? And you know you see it every year series and so there's a there's there's a little bit of luck involved, you know, and we, like I said, we've been on both sides of that and that's just part of it.

I know we had a shot. I know we could have gone the distance. Maybe we wouldn't have, but it doesn't matter. Again, everything in the playoffs is about who stays healthy and who gets hot. You know, are you playing well at the right time, do you have multiple guys step up in key games, make shots, and do you have good health? And you know you see it every year series and so there's a there's there's a little bit of luck involved, you know, and we, like I said, we've been on both sides of that and that's just part of it.

But I will say this, and I love Steve Kerr. Older teams get hurt more often and older teams recover more slowly, and the Warriors are just getting older. There is a little bit of luck involved. But when you got when you got Steph Curry running two miles per game on that treadmill for that offense, and he is so valuable. Without it, they're not even the same looking watching team Warriors are a hard watch without Steph. So I I you could say there's there's luck involved, but remember we all know this the NBA, and it's helped ratings is allowing more physical basketball. What does that mean more injuries? My guess they will come to the older teams, not the younger ones. And I really do believe the NBA used to be go get three great players the Heatles KD Steph Clay.

But I will say this, and I love Steve Kerr. Older teams get hurt more often and older teams recover more slowly, and the Warriors are just getting older. There is a little bit of luck involved. But when you got when you got Steph Curry running two miles per game on that treadmill for that offense, and he is so valuable. Without it, they're not even the same looking watching team Warriors are a hard watch without Steph. So I I you could say there's there's luck involved, but remember we all know this the NBA, and it's helped ratings is allowing more physical basketball. What does that mean more injuries? My guess they will come to the older teams, not the younger ones. And I really do believe the NBA used to be go get three great players the Heatles KD Steph Clay.

I don't think that's it anymore.

I don't think that's it anymore.

I think the new CBA and the new Aprons, it's all about roster construction. I mean the Celtics are often weirdly as good or better without Tatum. I mean, like Oklahoma City's roster. I think San Antonio's is going to get very deep. Houston's already is. They just don't have a second dominant great score. So I just Steve kerstill believes it. You can talk yourself it's into luck. But the new style of playoff basketball is not going to aid. It's not going to aid the older rickety teams, two thirty five year olds and a thirty seven year old, So j mac it is. I got into this discussion last night. Lebron's out of the playoffs, Steph Curry's out of the playoffs. The Celtics brand, I think we'll lose to New York. They'll be out of the playoffs. Do you think Knicks Pacers.

I think the new CBA and the new Aprons, it's all about roster construction. I mean the Celtics are often weirdly as good or better without Tatum. I mean, like Oklahoma City's roster. I think San Antonio's is going to get very deep. Houston's already is. They just don't have a second dominant great score. So I just Steve kerstill believes it. You can talk yourself it's into luck. But the new style of playoff basketball is not going to aid. It's not going to aid the older rickety teams, two thirty five year olds and a thirty seven year old, So j mac it is. I got into this discussion last night. Lebron's out of the playoffs, Steph Curry's out of the playoffs. The Celtics brand, I think we'll lose to New York. They'll be out of the playoffs. Do you think Knicks Pacers.

I do.

I do.

I think it's compelling. Do you think Oklahoma City Minnesota?

I think it's compelling. Do you think Oklahoma City Minnesota?

Like?

Like?

I think these are really good series? But I'm more NBA die hard than the casuals. I this whole thing about the NBA being rigged. You wouldn't have OKAC and Minnesota in and Stephan Lebron out. What do you make of what potentially is our final four?

I think these are really good series? But I'm more NBA die hard than the casuals. I this whole thing about the NBA being rigged. You wouldn't have OKAC and Minnesota in and Stephan Lebron out. What do you make of what potentially is our final four?

Yeah?

Yeah?

The way I look at as I talk to buddies and they're like, hey, hey, let's go out to hang out, And I'm like, well, there's an NBA Finals game and Lebron's in it. I'm not missing that. I would be okay missing a conference semi conference finals matchup between and SGA, Like, it's not mandatory viewing.

The way I look at as I talk to buddies and they're like, hey, hey, let's go out to hang out, And I'm like, well, there's an NBA Finals game and Lebron's in it. I'm not missing that. I would be okay missing a conference semi conference finals matchup between and SGA, Like, it's not mandatory viewing.

I mean, it's a great matchup, no doubt. I'm gonna watch the game.

I mean, it's a great matchup, no doubt. I'm gonna watch the game.

But if something comes up, you know, you want to go to a Dodgers game, Sure, I'll go to a Dodgers game. But Colin, it's just it's not the sexy.

But if something comes up, you know, you want to go to a Dodgers game, Sure, I'll go to a Dodgers game. But Colin, it's just it's not the sexy.

Matchups that we want. Right.

Matchups that we want. Right.

If Curry's playing, I'm glued to the TV. Lebron I'm glued, but SGA, I'm just not there yet.

If Curry's playing, I'm glued to the TV. Lebron I'm glued, but SGA, I'm just not there yet.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I hope that doesn't make me an elitist.

I hope that doesn't make me an elitist.

Yeah, no, I think I think this is the transition. I think when Michael Jordan left, the league lost fifty percent of its numbers. But I do think I do think there's a little Lebron fatigue, where stylistically, Curry is still a great watch, but I do think Lebron is an older player. I'm more fascinated I am with Luca than Lebron because I've seen all Lebron's game, Luca's growth, his cardio, lack of defense, a bit controversial part of a trade. So I don't think you're going to see a massive drop off. I just I don't think the Warriors are what Steve Kerr believes, just bad luck away from advancing. I think they're just going to be a year older, and I think Oklahoma City, with all this experience Indiana, they're just going to be better.

Yeah, no, I think I think this is the transition. I think when Michael Jordan left, the league lost fifty percent of its numbers. But I do think I do think there's a little Lebron fatigue, where stylistically, Curry is still a great watch, but I do think Lebron is an older player. I'm more fascinated I am with Luca than Lebron because I've seen all Lebron's game, Luca's growth, his cardio, lack of defense, a bit controversial part of a trade. So I don't think you're going to see a massive drop off. I just I don't think the Warriors are what Steve Kerr believes, just bad luck away from advancing. I think they're just going to be a year older, and I think Oklahoma City, with all this experience Indiana, they're just going to be better.

Don't forget to love hate the polarization. If you really love or hate Lebron and that's what he is, you're gonna watch. I just don't feel like anybody hates SGA, but he hates it.

Don't forget to love hate the polarization. If you really love or hate Lebron and that's what he is, you're gonna watch. I just don't feel like anybody hates SGA, but he hates it.

They haven't done anything to be hateable. Lebron's won a lot moved around teams.

They haven't done anything to be hateable. Lebron's won a lot moved around teams.

People just dislike him, but I do believe, you know, maybe there's that element with the Knicks, but they still have to pull it out. Colin, Are you sure there're a lock to win this series? All the pressures on them?

People just dislike him, but I do believe, you know, maybe there's that element with the Knicks, but they still have to pull it out. Colin, Are you sure there're a lock to win this series? All the pressures on them?

Yeah, I'm not good points.

Yeah, I'm not good points.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays in noon Easter not a em Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays in noon Easter not a em Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio.

App are now entering the No Bull Zone sponsored by Credible Great Raids and None of the bull so listen.

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The NFL.

The NFL.

Is very intentional with it schedule. It's making bets on things. I still think the Cowboys are on TV way too much and I work for Fox, but there's a couple of schedules that are interesting. The Chicago Bear schedule is interesting, a very soft middle and big brands late Philly, Green Bay, Green Bay, San Francisco rivalry game with Detroit. So it's a rough six weeks at the end. But with all these new offensive line pieces, and we've talked about this cohesion for the Bears on line, it won't be great in August, in September, they should have their act together late. So the NFL sent a message we think Chicago is going to be a viable TV product at the end of this year. They have that many They have the clever new coach, an ascending player at quarterback, a lot of good weapons, so that at the end of the season, it's Philly, it's San Francisco, it's Green Bay twice. League thinks are going to be good and interesting, and so do I. So five of their last six games are either on TV with against big brands, or they're flexible and it's a very soft middle of the schedule, right there's a chance to get some wins here. So it's a very purpose, purposeful act by the NFL on the Chicago Bears. The other one that jumped out to me was Washington and the Commanders. I mean they went from a franchise that was radio active waste to how many times can we get Jaden Daniels on television? So Washington has eight straight games with no one o'clock window. Okay, that's where they were buried for years. Get Washington out of the way. Jaden Daniels, to me, has and this was sort of his comp I said he was going to be like Lamar Jackson light not quite the runner, but better in the pocket early on crazy fun. NFL defensive coordinators last year just had trouble figuring him out. So I mean, it's very rare when the NFL goes by year two. Yeah, we're putting him in the biggest spots. Monday Night Football against Mahomes. It's Washington, that's because a one guy. And then the end of the year Philadelphia on Fox standalone game Saturday. Oh, the following week Christmas against the Cowboys. Then the following week probably the biggest game of the week against Philadelphia. And my take is they'll be battling either for Washington a playoff spot. I'll think they'll be in. I'll they'll be battling for the NFC East Crown. I think Dallas and the Giants are significantly weaker. But the Bear schedule Marquee games late. They don't want to they don't want to throw a lot of Carolina Panthers Saints in Cleveland late. They got Bears on a lot of those big TV games, and they'll be flexible. And Washington they're out of a one o'clock window already already. Even CJ. Stroud didn't get Houston. This kind of schedule in year two. That tells you that Washington's been a sleeping giant in this sport forever. There used to be one hundred year waiting list when they had a different name, and now year two like we're stacking them all over. Chiefs Monday Night Football against Mahomes Cowboys. No coincidences with NFL scheduling.

Is very intentional with it schedule. It's making bets on things. I still think the Cowboys are on TV way too much and I work for Fox, but there's a couple of schedules that are interesting. The Chicago Bear schedule is interesting, a very soft middle and big brands late Philly, Green Bay, Green Bay, San Francisco rivalry game with Detroit. So it's a rough six weeks at the end. But with all these new offensive line pieces, and we've talked about this cohesion for the Bears on line, it won't be great in August, in September, they should have their act together late. So the NFL sent a message we think Chicago is going to be a viable TV product at the end of this year. They have that many They have the clever new coach, an ascending player at quarterback, a lot of good weapons, so that at the end of the season, it's Philly, it's San Francisco, it's Green Bay twice. League thinks are going to be good and interesting, and so do I. So five of their last six games are either on TV with against big brands, or they're flexible and it's a very soft middle of the schedule, right there's a chance to get some wins here. So it's a very purpose, purposeful act by the NFL on the Chicago Bears. The other one that jumped out to me was Washington and the Commanders. I mean they went from a franchise that was radio active waste to how many times can we get Jaden Daniels on television? So Washington has eight straight games with no one o'clock window. Okay, that's where they were buried for years. Get Washington out of the way. Jaden Daniels, to me, has and this was sort of his comp I said he was going to be like Lamar Jackson light not quite the runner, but better in the pocket early on crazy fun. NFL defensive coordinators last year just had trouble figuring him out. So I mean, it's very rare when the NFL goes by year two. Yeah, we're putting him in the biggest spots. Monday Night Football against Mahomes. It's Washington, that's because a one guy. And then the end of the year Philadelphia on Fox standalone game Saturday. Oh, the following week Christmas against the Cowboys. Then the following week probably the biggest game of the week against Philadelphia. And my take is they'll be battling either for Washington a playoff spot. I'll think they'll be in. I'll they'll be battling for the NFC East Crown. I think Dallas and the Giants are significantly weaker. But the Bear schedule Marquee games late. They don't want to they don't want to throw a lot of Carolina Panthers Saints in Cleveland late. They got Bears on a lot of those big TV games, and they'll be flexible. And Washington they're out of a one o'clock window already already. Even CJ. Stroud didn't get Houston. This kind of schedule in year two. That tells you that Washington's been a sleeping giant in this sport forever. There used to be one hundred year waiting list when they had a different name, and now year two like we're stacking them all over. Chiefs Monday Night Football against Mahomes Cowboys. No coincidences with NFL scheduling.

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

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and noon Easter n 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.

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

Why should you listen to Covino and Rich.

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.

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

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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.

I understand if you're a Celtic fan, you take this as a shot at Jason Tatum. It's just data. Is the Celtics without Jason Tatum. Boston blows out New York last night. The last two seasons without him, they're seventeen and three. That would be better than any winning percentage in the league. They're points per game are one hundred and twenty, number one in the league the last two years. This is a sample size twenty games without Jason Tatum, They're virtually offensively number one in every category except field goal percentage.

I understand if you're a Celtic fan, you take this as a shot at Jason Tatum. It's just data. Is the Celtics without Jason Tatum. Boston blows out New York last night. The last two seasons without him, they're seventeen and three. That would be better than any winning percentage in the league. They're points per game are one hundred and twenty, number one in the league the last two years. This is a sample size twenty games without Jason Tatum, They're virtually offensively number one in every category except field goal percentage.

They plummet the fourth.

They plummet the fourth.

Okay, so I've never seen anything like this in basketball historically. Now the Bulls when they lost Jordan, remember he went and played baseball. They went fifty seven wins champions to fifty five wins. Now they had bj Armstrong, Coup, coach, Horace Grant, Scottie Pippen. They were a very good team. They were a number three seed, but they were not nearly as good closing games without Michael. Celtics are Celtics are? I mean last night Jerrick White stepped up. Peyton Pritchard, Are Mason, Jalen Brown, Luke Cornett, whatever that was. They have so many their roster construction is so good. They have so many B plus players that they feel empowered. When Jason's gone, they get more touches and looks. So it's the only comparison because this is so rare in basketball history. You watch you watch the Warriors without Steph unwatchable. You watched Denver when Jokic hits the bench, brutal, even if Jokic just tired, brutal. The only comparison to the Celtics historically to me is like Joe gibbson Washington where they were winning Super Bowls. The star quarterback did not It was a stout defense, dominant offensive, lines, very good run game, and like Mark Ribbin at quarterback or Doug Williams at quarterback, they were certainly capable, but they were not led by a quarterback. And that's what we expect, right, And I think part of this is that in basketball and to some degree in international soccer, we love the collective, but we want a Messi or a Ronaldo or and Boppey. We want you know, Rooney. We want our guys and in basketball we're just not historically used to and the rating show we.

Okay, so I've never seen anything like this in basketball historically. Now the Bulls when they lost Jordan, remember he went and played baseball. They went fifty seven wins champions to fifty five wins. Now they had bj Armstrong, Coup, coach, Horace Grant, Scottie Pippen. They were a very good team. They were a number three seed, but they were not nearly as good closing games without Michael. Celtics are Celtics are? I mean last night Jerrick White stepped up. Peyton Pritchard, Are Mason, Jalen Brown, Luke Cornett, whatever that was. They have so many their roster construction is so good. They have so many B plus players that they feel empowered. When Jason's gone, they get more touches and looks. So it's the only comparison because this is so rare in basketball history. You watch you watch the Warriors without Steph unwatchable. You watched Denver when Jokic hits the bench, brutal, even if Jokic just tired, brutal. The only comparison to the Celtics historically to me is like Joe gibbson Washington where they were winning Super Bowls. The star quarterback did not It was a stout defense, dominant offensive, lines, very good run game, and like Mark Ribbin at quarterback or Doug Williams at quarterback, they were certainly capable, but they were not led by a quarterback. And that's what we expect, right, And I think part of this is that in basketball and to some degree in international soccer, we love the collective, but we want a Messi or a Ronaldo or and Boppey. We want you know, Rooney. We want our guys and in basketball we're just not historically used to and the rating show we.

Don't like it.

Don't like it.

The seventies NBA where it's is it a start? Now?

The seventies NBA where it's is it a start? Now?

Walton, I'd argue was a star. I would argue Elvin Hayes was a star. Doctor j was a star. Rick Berry was a star. So we always say, like the seventies was just good teams, not great. You had some really Rick Berry was pre Larry Bird. But we want our champion to have a superhero in basketball, Kobe and Shack, Michael Jordan, magic Bird. We want a superhero and the Celtics don't have one, and we're uncomfortable with it. That's the basketball culture, and so that's why you offer and see the fans and the media trying to project James Harden into a superstar or Stevie Francis into a superstar, and they're just really good players.

Walton, I'd argue was a star. I would argue Elvin Hayes was a star. Doctor j was a star. Rick Berry was a star. So we always say, like the seventies was just good teams, not great. You had some really Rick Berry was pre Larry Bird. But we want our champion to have a superhero in basketball, Kobe and Shack, Michael Jordan, magic Bird. We want a superhero and the Celtics don't have one, and we're uncomfortable with it. That's the basketball culture, and so that's why you offer and see the fans and the media trying to project James Harden into a superstar or Stevie Francis into a superstar, and they're just really good players.

So I think it's.

So I think it's.

We want, you know, we want Mission Impossible from our NBA champ, big brand, Tom Cruise. We don't necessarily love Ocean's eleven. And that's kind of that's kind of what Boston is. If you look at these numbers the last two years, it's not a shot at Jason Tatum. It's the Joe Gibbs Washington teams. The quarterback was just way more replaceable than he would have been in Kansas City, New England, San Francisco with Joe Montan. The numbers don't lie. They don't even go down. Sometimes their net rating goes up in certain stats. So it's just not we don't love our basketball to be like that. We want the superhero where when he steps out or he gets in foul trouble, there's a clear breach, there is a clear drop.

We want, you know, we want Mission Impossible from our NBA champ, big brand, Tom Cruise. We don't necessarily love Ocean's eleven. And that's kind of that's kind of what Boston is. If you look at these numbers the last two years, it's not a shot at Jason Tatum. It's the Joe Gibbs Washington teams. The quarterback was just way more replaceable than he would have been in Kansas City, New England, San Francisco with Joe Montan. The numbers don't lie. They don't even go down. Sometimes their net rating goes up in certain stats. So it's just not we don't love our basketball to be like that. We want the superhero where when he steps out or he gets in foul trouble, there's a clear breach, there is a clear drop.

And now I.

And now I.

Do think Jason Tatum gone for three games is different than Jason Tatum gone.

Do think Jason Tatum gone for three games is different than Jason Tatum gone.

For eighty two.

For eighty two.

And I also think they're gonna move off Horford and Porzingis, so they're gonna lose some size. They're gonna you know, they're Tatum Brown and Derek White making a lot of money and those contracts are just starting. But I think Drew Holliday could be gone. So I think the Celtics will be a playoff team next year. But they are historically unique, Tatum's gone, and they mow through a very good next team. All right, I will address the San Francisco forty nine Ers schedule. By most terms, it's egregious. Who knew Canadian Football League teams could get inserted in to the NFL schedule? Live in Chicago, it's the Herd.

And I also think they're gonna move off Horford and Porzingis, so they're gonna lose some size. They're gonna you know, they're Tatum Brown and Derek White making a lot of money and those contracts are just starting. But I think Drew Holliday could be gone. So I think the Celtics will be a playoff team next year. But they are historically unique, Tatum's gone, and they mow through a very good next team. All right, I will address the San Francisco forty nine Ers schedule. By most terms, it's egregious. Who knew Canadian Football League teams could get inserted in to the NFL schedule? Live in Chicago, it's the Herd.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and newon Easter, not a em Pacific under.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and newon Easter, not a em Pacific under.

The lights in prime time as the mem This show Boats take on the San Antonio Bramas Fox UFL Friday kicks off at eight em Eastern.

The lights in prime time as the mem This show Boats take on the San Antonio Bramas Fox UFL Friday kicks off at eight em Eastern.

So I have been a skeptic on the last couple of drafts for the San Francisco forty nine Ers. I have said this, they're getting old and expensive. I don't like their offensive line. I thought this year's draft with a lot of hit and miss, with eleven picks four or five. I like five or six. I didn't, But they have the easiest NFL schedule. I'm not joking since the twenty to fifteen Atlanta Falcons. And it's based on two metrics. Number one is last year's results, so they're playing a lot of teams that were bad last year. And the second metric is a lot of teams that are projected to be lousy this year. So on two different metrics, they've got the easiest schedule. Now, I will say this, if you gave Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Matt Stafford, Josh Allen, this schedule is thirteen to fourteen wins. This is an affront to competitive football. And I don't want to hear fifty five million dollars brock Purty. I don't want to hear any excuses or I don't want to hear any Pom poms when he wins ten games with this mess of a schedule. Sanford's not only is this schedule littered with mediocrity, they don't face a single team off a buye okay, outside of Matt Stafford twice and c. J. Stroud once. They don't face what people view as an elite quarterback. In fact, it's rookie quarterbacks. It's quarterbacks without twenty total starts.

So I have been a skeptic on the last couple of drafts for the San Francisco forty nine Ers. I have said this, they're getting old and expensive. I don't like their offensive line. I thought this year's draft with a lot of hit and miss, with eleven picks four or five. I like five or six. I didn't, But they have the easiest NFL schedule. I'm not joking since the twenty to fifteen Atlanta Falcons. And it's based on two metrics. Number one is last year's results, so they're playing a lot of teams that were bad last year. And the second metric is a lot of teams that are projected to be lousy this year. So on two different metrics, they've got the easiest schedule. Now, I will say this, if you gave Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Matt Stafford, Josh Allen, this schedule is thirteen to fourteen wins. This is an affront to competitive football. And I don't want to hear fifty five million dollars brock Purty. I don't want to hear any excuses or I don't want to hear any Pom poms when he wins ten games with this mess of a schedule. Sanford's not only is this schedule littered with mediocrity, they don't face a single team off a buye okay, outside of Matt Stafford twice and c. J. Stroud once. They don't face what people view as an elite quarterback. In fact, it's rookie quarterbacks. It's quarterbacks without twenty total starts.

So I'm done with it.

So I'm done with it.

Brock pretty excuses and people will say, well, Colin, he's missing this, and he's missing that. You know what, He's missing back to back tough games all season. This is as easy as a schedule gets. So this is bowling with bumpers. This is a trust fund schedule, no discomfort. And again does it make me think? And I'll say this, I think the division is better. I think the Rams are in a group of five Super Bowl favorite teams. I think Arizona's defense, which they went all in on free agency and draft with a defensive coach, is going to be feisty. I think Seattle's got a great roster, and I think Minnesota is going to regret I do. I think They're going to regret moving off Sam Darnold. So I think the division is really good. Not AFC West, maybe not NFC North, but it's really good.

Brock pretty excuses and people will say, well, Colin, he's missing this, and he's missing that. You know what, He's missing back to back tough games all season. This is as easy as a schedule gets. So this is bowling with bumpers. This is a trust fund schedule, no discomfort. And again does it make me think? And I'll say this, I think the division is better. I think the Rams are in a group of five Super Bowl favorite teams. I think Arizona's defense, which they went all in on free agency and draft with a defensive coach, is going to be feisty. I think Seattle's got a great roster, and I think Minnesota is going to regret I do. I think They're going to regret moving off Sam Darnold. So I think the division is really good. Not AFC West, maybe not NFC North, but it's really good.

But that schedule, what can I say?

But that schedule, what can I say?

It starts easy a couple you know Rams a little, and it ends easy.

It starts easy a couple you know Rams a little, and it ends easy.

You don't get Rams in the first month.

You don't get Rams in the first month.

You know, you don't get a you don't get playoff teams in the last month. Maybe they could complain their buys too late, but it is I mean, you could down the stretch have Schador Sanders and Cam war and Anthony Richardson and it's a lot of nothing.

You know, you don't get a you don't get playoff teams in the last month. Maybe they could complain their buys too late, but it is I mean, you could down the stretch have Schador Sanders and Cam war and Anthony Richardson and it's a lot of nothing.

Come okay, real quick.

Come okay, real quick.

If you're looking for a hiccup, there are four road games in five weeks. That looks a little difficult there in October at Rams, at Tampa, and then they got Houston and the New York Giants.

If you're looking for a hiccup, there are four road games in five weeks. That looks a little difficult there in October at Rams, at Tampa, and then they got Houston and the New York Giants.

That could be difficult.

That could be difficult.

Four road games of five weeks. You know, you got a Trent Williams injury, you're kind of screwed.

Four road games of five weeks. You know, you got a Trent Williams injury, you're kind of screwed.

Sorry, Yeah, that's a that's a real toughe right there at the New York Giants, who shudder.

Sorry, Yeah, that's a that's a real toughe right there at the New York Giants, who shudder.

That'll keep you awake at night.

That'll keep you awake at night.

So the other thing that kind of jumps out to me, as I had said every year, I'm proud of this actually probably too much. So pick the team that I think is going to double their win total. And of course last year I had Washington, and I said Denver was also going to be much better. The year before the Rams, everybody said they'll be in a rebuild, and Jay McK and I argued incessantly in the offseason year before that, I think it was Minnesota. So I have said the team the safest bet to double your win total is New England, and they were four and thirteen last year, so they were not a favorite in any game last year. They're already a three and a half point favorite in their opener hosting the Raiders. I would probably take the Raiders at three and a half. But so I use basically a math equation when I'm trying to figure out how a team doubles their win total, I go to math. So it's it's uncle Colin math. But here is my math, and see if you can follow this. So I think this is the coaching sport.

So the other thing that kind of jumps out to me, as I had said every year, I'm proud of this actually probably too much. So pick the team that I think is going to double their win total. And of course last year I had Washington, and I said Denver was also going to be much better. The year before the Rams, everybody said they'll be in a rebuild, and Jay McK and I argued incessantly in the offseason year before that, I think it was Minnesota. So I have said the team the safest bet to double your win total is New England, and they were four and thirteen last year, so they were not a favorite in any game last year. They're already a three and a half point favorite in their opener hosting the Raiders. I would probably take the Raiders at three and a half. But so I use basically a math equation when I'm trying to figure out how a team doubles their win total, I go to math. So it's it's uncle Colin math. But here is my math, and see if you can follow this. So I think this is the coaching sport.

I mean.

I mean.

Nathaniel Hackett to Sean Payton, I thought that was a touchdown. That was a touchdown swing Girrawd Mayo to Mike Rabel, I'm going to say it's half that. I'm going to say that's a three point improvement. One of the top ten coaches to a guy that appears to be more of a position or a coordinator. Again, Peyton to Hackett was the difference between embarrassing in the playoffs with a rookie quarterback. Drake may Is going into year two three hundred and sixty five million in free agency spending I think is worth a point that point and a half.

Nathaniel Hackett to Sean Payton, I thought that was a touchdown. That was a touchdown swing Girrawd Mayo to Mike Rabel, I'm going to say it's half that. I'm going to say that's a three point improvement. One of the top ten coaches to a guy that appears to be more of a position or a coordinator. Again, Peyton to Hackett was the difference between embarrassing in the playoffs with a rookie quarterback. Drake may Is going into year two three hundred and sixty five million in free agency spending I think is worth a point that point and a half.

I mean, you got eight new starters.

I mean, you got eight new starters.

Eleven draft picks, including a left tackle that's worth a point much better depth, a starting left tackle Drake May second year with a much better staff that feels like to me, that's worth a point to a point and a half. So that is seven total points. If this team had seven total points last year, they would have won ten games. So at four wins, I kind of have them targeted for nine and a playoff team. I think they're a nine and eight, maybe ten and seven if they stay healthy. And that's just by Vrabel's a field goal, starting left tackle, and eleven draft picks depth a point three hundred and sixty five million in free agency a point to a point and a half. Drake May with better coaches year two a point to a point and a half. If you look at New England's first nine weeks, take out the Buffalo game right in the middle of it, four before, at four after it. If Drake May is as good as he he showed last year with kind of a second level staff, if he improves and with Rabel a better left tackle, a little more weaponry. He will potentially be the best quarterback in eight of the first nine weeks. So last year I picked Washington and Denver. Year before Rams, I take New England as the safest team to go from four wins to at least eight. I think they're probably going to be closer to nine. I also think you're gonna have teams like Week eight for Cleveland, that could be a transitioning team moving into Shduur standards. I think you've also got some brand. I mean, like New Orleans week six, who's starting for them at quarterback? You could be transitioning into Okay, we're zero and five, let's give the next Let's give the kid from is at Louisville, Let's give him some starts. So I think, like New Orleans and Cleveland, you get to start week six, seven, eight, the local media's crushing, Yeah, you got one win. You could be moving off Flacco to Shadure. You could be moving off with starting in New Orleans to the rookie. So I just think there's a lot of things here that work. I think week thirteen it's gonna be Russell Wilson's team to start. But you get into a week twelve and thirteen and the Giants may just say we're shutting it down. We want to see Jackson Dart for the last five or six weeks. I could see getting Jackson Dart in week thirteen with the Giants. Who knows what the Jets will.

Eleven draft picks, including a left tackle that's worth a point much better depth, a starting left tackle Drake May second year with a much better staff that feels like to me, that's worth a point to a point and a half. So that is seven total points. If this team had seven total points last year, they would have won ten games. So at four wins, I kind of have them targeted for nine and a playoff team. I think they're a nine and eight, maybe ten and seven if they stay healthy. And that's just by Vrabel's a field goal, starting left tackle, and eleven draft picks depth a point three hundred and sixty five million in free agency a point to a point and a half. Drake May with better coaches year two a point to a point and a half. If you look at New England's first nine weeks, take out the Buffalo game right in the middle of it, four before, at four after it. If Drake May is as good as he he showed last year with kind of a second level staff, if he improves and with Rabel a better left tackle, a little more weaponry. He will potentially be the best quarterback in eight of the first nine weeks. So last year I picked Washington and Denver. Year before Rams, I take New England as the safest team to go from four wins to at least eight. I think they're probably going to be closer to nine. I also think you're gonna have teams like Week eight for Cleveland, that could be a transitioning team moving into Shduur standards. I think you've also got some brand. I mean, like New Orleans week six, who's starting for them at quarterback? You could be transitioning into Okay, we're zero and five, let's give the next Let's give the kid from is at Louisville, Let's give him some starts. So I think, like New Orleans and Cleveland, you get to start week six, seven, eight, the local media's crushing, Yeah, you got one win. You could be moving off Flacco to Shadure. You could be moving off with starting in New Orleans to the rookie. So I just think there's a lot of things here that work. I think week thirteen it's gonna be Russell Wilson's team to start. But you get into a week twelve and thirteen and the Giants may just say we're shutting it down. We want to see Jackson Dart for the last five or six weeks. I could see getting Jackson Dart in week thirteen with the Giants. Who knows what the Jets will.

Be at quarterback.

Be at quarterback.

So I think New England is pretty easy one to me and I you know, not every team that makes the playoffs is great. I don't think they're a team probably gonna win a playoff game. But we've said this before. Fourteen teams make the playoffs. You usually get five four to five teams that we think will win the super Bowl, and then about four to five to six teams that we think can absolutely win a game, maybe a second. There's a couple of playoff teams that sneak in that we just don't. We don't think they're going to win a playoff game, but we appreciate the effort. I think New England's going to be closer to that than the top or the second layer. I don't think they're a team that still has enough juice on the perimeter. But get you have eleven draft picks, you're going to get at least three to four starters out of that, and you spend three hundred and sixty five million dollars in free agency, you're getting five or six starters on that. And again this is the coaching sport. Go to Denver. Denver was saddled with the Russell Wilson contract, so there were moves Sean Payton wanted to make and couldn't. So Mike Trable's not saddled with any.

So I think New England is pretty easy one to me and I you know, not every team that makes the playoffs is great. I don't think they're a team probably gonna win a playoff game. But we've said this before. Fourteen teams make the playoffs. You usually get five four to five teams that we think will win the super Bowl, and then about four to five to six teams that we think can absolutely win a game, maybe a second. There's a couple of playoff teams that sneak in that we just don't. We don't think they're going to win a playoff game, but we appreciate the effort. I think New England's going to be closer to that than the top or the second layer. I don't think they're a team that still has enough juice on the perimeter. But get you have eleven draft picks, you're going to get at least three to four starters out of that, and you spend three hundred and sixty five million dollars in free agency, you're getting five or six starters on that. And again this is the coaching sport. Go to Denver. Denver was saddled with the Russell Wilson contract, so there were moves Sean Payton wanted to make and couldn't. So Mike Trable's not saddled with any.

Of that stuff.

Of that stuff.

New staff. I mean you can look at that. I'll tell you right now. Kyle Williams, that third round pick for New England, could be one of the rookies that pops. He is a really electric player. I saw a lot of him in college, so you know, I look at their offensive defensive line. Milton Williams got overpaid. That's a starter week one, so feel pretty good about it. We have to guess by the way our two's coming up. Albert berstops by. When is shodder get a start?

New staff. I mean you can look at that. I'll tell you right now. Kyle Williams, that third round pick for New England, could be one of the rookies that pops. He is a really electric player. I saw a lot of him in college, so you know, I look at their offensive defensive line. Milton Williams got overpaid. That's a starter week one, so feel pretty good about it. We have to guess by the way our two's coming up. Albert berstops by. When is shodder get a start?

I got my week?

I got my week?

I'm ready Hour two.

I'm ready Hour two.

The one More Heard. The Herd streams twenty four hours a day, seven days a week within the iHeartRadio app. Search Herd to listen live or on demand whenever you, like I thought.

The one More Heard. The Herd streams twenty four hours a day, seven days a week within the iHeartRadio app. Search Herd to listen live or on demand whenever you, like I thought.

Chicago's old line would get better. Last year, it felt worse. He completed sixty two and a half percent of his throats, running for his life, twenty touchdown passes, only six picks.

Chicago's old line would get better. Last year, it felt worse. He completed sixty two and a half percent of his throats, running for his life, twenty touchdown passes, only six picks.

Now, he was sacked sixty eight times.

Now, he was sacked sixty eight times.

But the numbers aren't you know, I mean, only six picks, sixty two and a half percent completion somemversise running for his life in a division that had Detroit, Green Band, Minnesota all really good teams. So I don't think Minnesota's going to be as good this year, and I think Caleb's got a much better quarterback. Also, the story coming out today Seth Wickersham had talked to Caleb's father, Carl Williams, and reporting that Carl did not want his son initially to play in Chicago, and Albert Breer addressed that an hour ago.

But the numbers aren't you know, I mean, only six picks, sixty two and a half percent completion somemversise running for his life in a division that had Detroit, Green Band, Minnesota all really good teams. So I don't think Minnesota's going to be as good this year, and I think Caleb's got a much better quarterback. Also, the story coming out today Seth Wickersham had talked to Caleb's father, Carl Williams, and reporting that Carl did not want his son initially to play in Chicago, and Albert Breer addressed that an hour ago.

And his dad's a very smart and accomplished businessman, and you know, taught his son to think differently.

And his dad's a very smart and accomplished businessman, and you know, taught his son to think differently.

And the reality is, like this is.

And the reality is, like this is.

Something that all teams were looking into, and anybody that was going to be in a position to draft him was concerned about this. You can understand his concerns certainly, you know, I think this is something that more and more athletes think about, and you know, it's something we heard about with Shadur a lot, you know, going into his draft a lot of times. You know, I think these guys were able to take a bigger picture view of it, and the bigger picture view of it would show that going to the right place isn't more is absolutely more important than the game.

Something that all teams were looking into, and anybody that was going to be in a position to draft him was concerned about this. You can understand his concerns certainly, you know, I think this is something that more and more athletes think about, and you know, it's something we heard about with Shadur a lot, you know, going into his draft a lot of times. You know, I think these guys were able to take a bigger picture view of it, and the bigger picture view of it would show that going to the right place isn't more is absolutely more important than the game.

Drafted as high as you can.

Drafted as high as you can.

Yeah, I think I think. Listen, I never had a problem. I reported this a year ago. I said, you know, his dad had some misgivings about it, but Caleb's like, you know what, I'm going to go to Chicago. It's a great American city and I'm going to be their first great quarterback. So I always like Caleb. I got along with him great. He's very respectful. I saw I went to the Notre Dame USC game and I told the story is I saw his dad said to his dad, and Caleb was sitting in the front row with friends, and I came down and just out of respect, I just tapped him on the shoulder.

Yeah, I think I think. Listen, I never had a problem. I reported this a year ago. I said, you know, his dad had some misgivings about it, but Caleb's like, you know what, I'm going to go to Chicago. It's a great American city and I'm going to be their first great quarterback. So I always like Caleb. I got along with him great. He's very respectful. I saw I went to the Notre Dame USC game and I told the story is I saw his dad said to his dad, and Caleb was sitting in the front row with friends, and I came down and just out of respect, I just tapped him on the shoulder.

I said, hey, buddy, just great seeing you.

I said, hey, buddy, just great seeing you.

He got up made a point and I'm like, you don't have to get up I just wanted to say, hey, keep kicking butt, You're going to do great and very respectful got up, came up the stairs. Caleb did, and I was like, I just think he's a really I really like him. And I also think it's sometimes it's unfair that, you know, all these quarterbacks now the nil they are stars coming out of college. Bill Parcell's a brilliant guy, used to say, do not draft a celebrity quarterback. Well, Baker Mayfield was a star. Sam Darold, you know he was a star. Caleb's a star. I mean, yeah, it's just the reality of it. I mean, bow Nick's at Oregon. I mean everybody knew bow Nicks for the last five years. So I think we the world's changed. These kids make money in college. Take a deep breath with that. Ben Johnson now is joining us. The new Bear's coach is.

He got up made a point and I'm like, you don't have to get up I just wanted to say, hey, keep kicking butt, You're going to do great and very respectful got up, came up the stairs. Caleb did, and I was like, I just think he's a really I really like him. And I also think it's sometimes it's unfair that, you know, all these quarterbacks now the nil they are stars coming out of college. Bill Parcell's a brilliant guy, used to say, do not draft a celebrity quarterback. Well, Baker Mayfield was a star. Sam Darold, you know he was a star. Caleb's a star. I mean, yeah, it's just the reality of it. I mean, bow Nick's at Oregon. I mean everybody knew bow Nicks for the last five years. So I think we the world's changed. These kids make money in college. Take a deep breath with that. Ben Johnson now is joining us. The new Bear's coach is.

Joining us live. So you know it's funny we you forget about this coach?

Joining us live. So you know it's funny we you forget about this coach?

Is that you know, I was looking and people forget Tua came out of college, didn't have a great fit with the staff. You know, he and the Brian Flores struggle got Mike McDaniels Pro Bowl, Jared Goff got a defensive coach getting a great stuff boom, here comes McVeigh Popps. So listen, we all said last year, I said, it's just easier.

Is that you know, I was looking and people forget Tua came out of college, didn't have a great fit with the staff. You know, he and the Brian Flores struggle got Mike McDaniels Pro Bowl, Jared Goff got a defensive coach getting a great stuff boom, here comes McVeigh Popps. So listen, we all said last year, I said, it's just easier.

To get an offensive coach. Go ask Bo Nixon, Sean Baton. It just helps.

To get an offensive coach. Go ask Bo Nixon, Sean Baton. It just helps.

Did you feel when you have first sat down with Caleb, I gotta build this kid's confidence up like a tool, like a golf it's rough, it's a hard sport. Did you feel that was part of your process. I want to make sure this kid knows we really believe in him.

Did you feel when you have first sat down with Caleb, I gotta build this kid's confidence up like a tool, like a golf it's rough, it's a hard sport. Did you feel that was part of your process. I want to make sure this kid knows we really believe in him.

Yeah, well, he does know that we believe in him, there's no question about that. But Caleb Steele has never been a confidence issue. He knows he's a high level player. He's been that way since middle school, high school, college, and it's going to continue to be that way here in the NFL. But what we're trying to do is we're trying to support him, give him some clarity on what our expectations are on and off the field, and help and grow and develop. And so far we've only had call it six weeks now the off season program. It's going really well.

Yeah, well, he does know that we believe in him, there's no question about that. But Caleb Steele has never been a confidence issue. He knows he's a high level player. He's been that way since middle school, high school, college, and it's going to continue to be that way here in the NFL. But what we're trying to do is we're trying to support him, give him some clarity on what our expectations are on and off the field, and help and grow and develop. And so far we've only had call it six weeks now the off season program. It's going really well.

So you got two new coordinators, you're on first time head coach. Caleb's in the year two, Who do you lean on in that locker room?

So you got two new coordinators, you're on first time head coach. Caleb's in the year two, Who do you lean on in that locker room?

Ben? What player or maybe unit is it Tony? Is it Dolman? Who do you lean on in that offense?

Ben? What player or maybe unit is it Tony? Is it Dolman? Who do you lean on in that offense?

We've got a number of players offensively and defensively that have Pro Bowls under their belt, that have playoff game experience, win experience, and so I think when you look at that, those are the guys not just for Caleb, but for the entire team that we're leaning on to show us what good football looks like, what good teams do, and to establish that standard for the rest of us to fall into line. And so Tooney's a great name on offense. I mean, I don't know that anybody's had quite the level of success on our entire roster that he's had. Call it six Super Bowls and he's won four of them. I mean, it's outstanding. And then you go over to face to drill workout on the field and he's busting his rear end and he just had a Super Bowl that he was in a few weeks ago. So I mean, it's it's pretty outstanding. And it doesn't take long for somebody that first time these rookies coming in, they turn and they see how he goes about his business, and pretty quick they understand, well, if I want to last a long time, I need to just do what he does.

We've got a number of players offensively and defensively that have Pro Bowls under their belt, that have playoff game experience, win experience, and so I think when you look at that, those are the guys not just for Caleb, but for the entire team that we're leaning on to show us what good football looks like, what good teams do, and to establish that standard for the rest of us to fall into line. And so Tooney's a great name on offense. I mean, I don't know that anybody's had quite the level of success on our entire roster that he's had. Call it six Super Bowls and he's won four of them. I mean, it's outstanding. And then you go over to face to drill workout on the field and he's busting his rear end and he just had a Super Bowl that he was in a few weeks ago. So I mean, it's it's pretty outstanding. And it doesn't take long for somebody that first time these rookies coming in, they turn and they see how he goes about his business, and pretty quick they understand, well, if I want to last a long time, I need to just do what he does.

So I asked a GM, a very very good GM in the NFL recently, about you, and he said, you know, he goes most coaches we hire CEOs now it's a CEO job. He said, you get occasionally lucky with a Shanahan or and Andy Reid that they're scheme geniuses and they can do CEO. That's really hard. And he said Ben has a chance to do that. Ben's excellent on scheme and he has the personality. A lot of guys in the league think Ben has the chance to.

So I asked a GM, a very very good GM in the NFL recently, about you, and he said, you know, he goes most coaches we hire CEOs now it's a CEO job. He said, you get occasionally lucky with a Shanahan or and Andy Reid that they're scheme geniuses and they can do CEO. That's really hard. And he said Ben has a chance to do that. Ben's excellent on scheme and he has the personality. A lot of guys in the league think Ben has the chance to.

Be the CEO.

Be the CEO.

But most it's a CEO job now more than it is x'es and o's. So is the difficulty with you, Ben, You're gonna be on that headset. How do you manage yourself to go, oh, no, no, I'm the CEO here because there are things that happen on a sideline in game where you got to put the CEO hat on and you can't be a mile deep on calling plays. Will that be hard? On the first call you disagree with coming to the headset.

But most it's a CEO job now more than it is x'es and o's. So is the difficulty with you, Ben, You're gonna be on that headset. How do you manage yourself to go, oh, no, no, I'm the CEO here because there are things that happen on a sideline in game where you got to put the CEO hat on and you can't be a mile deep on calling plays. Will that be hard? On the first call you disagree with coming to the headset.

Well, shoot, I mean yeah, everything that everything I'm doing right now springtime training, it's it's my first time doing it, So there'll be some things that pop up that I got to work through and find the best process for not only myself, but what's best for the team. That's the most important thing, and the fortunate thing is the way this staff has been constructed is with that in mind. A lot of my blind spots or the areas that I could use the most help in. We've got some really good experienced coaches with Dennis Allen or Richard high Tower on defense and special teams on offense. We've got Eric the Enemy that's that's coordinated in this league, Press Taeler that's coordinated in this league. So there's there's a lot of high level experience throughout this coaching staff that they're gonna help help foresee any any bumps in the road and help me navigate on game day. We got to a great game management guy of the name Harry Freed. He's done it for a long time and he's going to be able to help me stay ahead of that because I really haven't. As a play caller, you have to be exposed to that and understand those situations. But now it's a little bit different moving over to the defensive side of the ball and being on the headset with them when they're up.