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Herm Edwards
This episode is brought to you by Google Gemini.
Myron Metcalf
With the Gemini app, you can talk.
Herm Edwards
Live and have a real time conversation with an AI assistant. It's great for all kinds of things.
Matt Jones
Like if you want to practice for.
Myron Metcalf
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Herm Edwards
Or brainstorm creative ideas.
Myron Metcalf
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Herm Edwards
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Myron Metcalf
This is Matt and myron. The podcast.
Matt Jones
It is Canada Kicko on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance 888 say ESPN Dr. Pepper. Call in line, you can tune in. Today, the Bills host the jets on ESPN Radio. Coverage begins noon Eastern on some of these stations. Matt Jones, Meyer Metcalf. As I said earlier, getting over a little bit of a Colts. My voice is a little shaky, so I said, hey, her. Her medals. One of the greats. Well, the great here, when it comes to ESP A broadcast, it was like you do two segments with us. He said, of course. Herm, I'm gonna say this again. I said this to you before. I don't think there's any person that on the weekends is on more shows than you. You get up and you do Good Morning America and then you're on here and then you do. And then the other night, I think it was last week, I was up, I couldn't sleep and I was up at like 1:15 in the morning and I turned on Sports center and you're on there talking to two people. Like, do you. Do you just stay on. Did you stay there for like 17 hours?
Herm Edwards
Yeah, I stay here for a while. I cut the lights on and cut them off. So whatever that means.
Matt Jones
He was on there live, Myron, like in the middle of the night and.
Myron Metcalf
He travels across the country. Like, how far do you travel?
Herm Edwards
California? All the way here, Dude.
Matt Jones
How many miles do you have on all your stuff?
Herm Edwards
I don't know. I don't even. I don't even count. All I know is this. When you know the pilots and the stewardesses, you got a problem.
Matt Jones
Oh, you know, the pilot.
Herm Edwards
Hey, coach, you going back? Oh, yeah, I'm going back.
Matt Jones
Wow. You ought to get him to invest at least a condo there for you in Bristol or something. Did you stay at that same hotel we all have to stay at when you come, say the same one.
Herm Edwards
When I first got here and a lot of people have changed, I stay.
Matt Jones
At the same one.
Herm Edwards
I don't.
Matt Jones
Because there's not for people who don't know in Bristol. Myron there's now, there used to be only one, just a double. Now there's two hotels. There's a Double tree. What's the other one?
Myron Metcalf
Well, there's a Springfield and Courtyard Marriott.
Herm Edwards
But there's a newer. There's a newer version right out the door. But I don't. They ask. Coach, you want to go over there? No, just keep. I'll stay.
Matt Jones
Right. Oh, you stay at the old one. You know, change.
Herm Edwards
I stay at the old one. Oh, yeah.
Myron Metcalf
There's a new double tree.
Herm Edwards
Oh, yeah, right.
Matt Jones
So they have a double tree next to a double tree.
Herm Edwards
Yeah. It's nice.
Matt Jones
New one.
Myron Metcalf
Okay.
Herm Edwards
I won't go to the new one. I won't go to the new.
Matt Jones
You won't go to the new one.
Myron Metcalf
I like it.
Matt Jones
I mean, it's just going to stay at the old one. I understand.
Herm Edwards
Exactly Right.
Myron Metcalf
Back in the day, you could go to that Double Tree Hotel and you would legitimately see every espn. That's true.
Matt Jones
You get up in the morning, you go down for breakfast. There's Randy Moss with Lee Corso and there's Chris Berman. Everybody's having.
Myron Metcalf
It was amazing.
Matt Jones
Yeah, it is a lot of fun. I've enjoyed my time there. All right, let's talk about the games today. Yes. I'm going to ask you the same question I asked Myron a minute ago. It's the NFC Championship Game right now. Lines lead by four. They're playing the Vikings in Detroit. Two and a half minutes to go. Vikings have the ball at the 20. Do you think Sam Darnold could take the Vikings down in that scenario and.
Herm Edwards
Send them to a Super bowl if they get there? I do. And I think I heard you guys a little earlier. You know, we were always, like, looking at Sam Darnold, like, is he gonna have one of those Kirk Cousins days where we go, we don't like that. And that hasn't been the case for Sam Darnold. Kevin O'Connell, obviously his coach, he's done a fine job with Sam Donald on this offense. And the more. And because you look at him, you go, when is it going to happen? You want him to have, like, a bad game because you're thinking it's going to happen. It ain't happening. They just keep winning. Right. And so I just think they're a team, they know who they are. They got a lot of confidence. And, you know, they've won eight in a row now, guys. I mean, there comes a point to where you go, you know, they're a good football team, but it's Sam Donald. You keep saying Sam Darnold, right? He. What? Wasn't he with the Jets? There's a lot of guys with the jets that no longer there and you know, and they went somewhere else and Jared Golf has done this. I mean, Baker Mayfield has done this. We've watched them now. I mean Geno Smith, we've watched the guys that have been cast off and gone up. Do you think that would, that, would.
Matt Jones
That make you more likely to give. Let's look at the quarterbacks from last year. Your Bryce Young, your Will Levis, your Anthony Richardson. I mean, they may go ahead and give up on Leviss in Tennessee. I don't know what's going to happen with Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson. But when you see some of these guys like you're talking about, like with Baker and Darnold, sort of get it on their second chance, would that lead you to give these other dudes maybe a second chance down the road?
Herm Edwards
Yeah, and I think it'll have to do with the coordinator. You know, I, I think that has a lot to do with the fit of the coordinator in the offense you're going to run whether you have success or not. And then a lot of them fail, you know, just, just. It's not a good marriage for a lot of them. Right?
Myron Metcalf
Herm, I'll make you GM of the Vikings. Right. And Sam Donald leads his team in the playoffs. Let's say they get to the NFC championship game. Right. But Sam is great. You got a young guy, J.J. mcCarthy, coming off a season ending knee injury, but he is the one young guy. I think he's only 21. People love him in the organization, but Sam Donald says, all right, I'll stay, but I want 50 million.
Herm Edwards
Wow.
Myron Metcalf
What do you do with a guy who has proven that he can lead you maybe to a Super bowl if you keep him around, but you got this young guy who's coming off an injury and he may be ready to go too.
Herm Edwards
Yeah, that's the problem, right. I mean that's, you gotta, you gotta know the room, you gotta know the team, you gotta know, well, is this as far as Sam Darnold can take us? Which is pretty good, right? Can he do this back to back years? You don't know that.
Matt Jones
You know.
Herm Edwards
Cause here's the problem. Is it like what happened to Atlanta with Kirk Cousins?
Myron Metcalf
Yeah.
Herm Edwards
All of a sudden he just hit this wall. And you saw it, you saw it, you kind of saw it. And then it happened a week again. And then you went, oh. And then, oh, and then all of a sudden, the game they. Even the game they won when Kirk Cousins played and they were interviewing him and I was watching it, you could see in his eyes he had lost it. Now he didn't have any confidence. Even though they won, it was like, oh, so now they make the change. Right. And so I think there comes a point to where you say, how far can this guy take us? And is this as far as he can take us? Which is good. But how do I get over that hump? Do I want to roll the dice again and go for a second year? This is the Aaron Rodgers situation with the Jets.
Matt Jones
Well, it's a fireball decision either way. Because if you get it wrong.
Herm Edwards
Correct.
Matt Jones
Because if you give the money to Darnold and then trade McCarthy if he becomes a star, you might look terrible. But if you make McCarthy the starter and then you send Darnold somewhere else and he becomes a star like Herm, that's one of these things. You get it wrong, you could get fired either way.
Herm Edwards
Yeah, no doubt. But you know what? That's the NFL.
Matt Jones
Yeah.
Herm Edwards
I mean, not. Not very long, you know, anybody in those positions and you just have to, you know, at the end, you're going to. You're going to tell you what your gut says, and, okay, this is what I'm going to make decision. And you're going to make a decision, and some people are not going to agree. Some people are going to agree, and it's just. You got to live with it and you got to move on.
Matt Jones
We're talking about the mvp. I want you. You can't. You can't dance your way around this. I just wanted. I want a decision. I'm going to give you four.
Herm Edwards
Yeah, I already got my guy.
Matt Jones
I'm gonna say to you, Herm, you get to start a franchise. Which one you take? And that's Lamar, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Joe Burrow. Rank them for me in the order of. I would like them to be my quarterback.
Herm Edwards
Well, you go. It's easy. Patrick Mahomes is the first guy.
Matt Jones
Okay.
Herm Edwards
Okay. Now number two is for me. For me personally. I'm taking Josh Allen.
Matt Jones
Okay.
Herm Edwards
No, I just love him. I love the way he plays.
Matt Jones
Three.
Herm Edwards
Three. Who was the other two?
Matt Jones
It was Lamar and. And Joe Burrow.
Herm Edwards
Wow. That's where it's hard. That's where it's really hard for me, because I love Joe Burrow. I do.
Matt Jones
I. It's a shame.
Herm Edwards
I. It's a shame this whole season is wasted again. I don't think they get in, guys.
Matt Jones
Yeah. Why do you think it's wasted, though? Like, he's played so well.
Herm Edwards
Well, here's why. All they talked about in the off season, we gotta get off to a better start. We gotta get off to a better start. They're 1 and 4 and now it's coming to bite them. Now it's coming to bite them again. It's like, okay, now they're rolling again, but they start off 1 and 4. This was happening to you last year. You can't start off slow. You gotta go, man. And this guy is what, throwing 40 some touches. He's unbelievable. And it's like, goodness gracious, they might not. They're waiting. They're hoping, crossing their fingers, other teams do this so they can get in. It's like, come on, man. Lamar Jackson. I don't know. I mean, you know, although, I mean, look, with all these quarterbacks you just mentioned, if I had one of these quarterbacks, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you guys. I'd still be coaching. I'd be coaching. I mean, be laughing. So I got a guy, man. I got the trick. You know, this is funny because when you're a head coach at any level, you sit there and the game is being played, you know, you're sitting there and you go, oh, boy, we got the last possession. You're going. You just smile.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah.
Herm Edwards
You just know.
Myron Metcalf
You literally smile because, you know, you.
Herm Edwards
Just tell the coaches, call the places. Coach, don't screw it up. Just let him, let him, let him do what he has to do now. And that's what they do. Yeah, I mean, literally, that's what they do. You know that those guys on the other side got no shot. This guy's going to. He's going to take the ball down the field and he's going to put us in position to win a football game. That's what you know.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah.
Herm Edwards
It's a wonderful feeling.
Myron Metcalf
Is there an opposite feeling, though? Have you been in situations where, you know the guy is going to get you fired or the guy isn't good enough to lead you anywhere?
Matt Jones
Yeah.
Herm Edwards
Or. Or the guy is a young guy. Like, oh, here's here. Example. Okay. Bryce Young.
Matt Jones
Yeah.
Herm Edwards
Going into this season, boy, I mean, people were hurling things at this organization about drafting Bryce Young. Guess what? He's kind of improved, guys.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, right.
Herm Edwards
I mean, kind of sneakily. Now I get it. Well, he's. No, I'm just saying he's a little bit. He's gotten better. And what tells Me about this guy is that mentally he's tough, because you gotta be tough. The other guy in Chicago, okay, You can say what you want. You surround this guy with. With some guys, and you help him and you do. He's a good quarterback, too.
Matt Jones
Now, well, let's talk about him for a minute. That's my. That's my team. And I. I see him make throws and I go, wow. Now that's. There was a play called back in the game the other night. It was a penalty. It was still an amazing throw.
Herm Edwards
Yes, it was.
Matt Jones
And then I sit there and I go, man, sometimes this can look awful. Yep. Do you think for Caleb Williams, it's all about. They get the right staff and he can take off.
Herm Edwards
Correct. And they got to protect him. He'd been sacked more than anybody, man, it's a shame. I watched that game. They just played it. It was awful to watch. I mean, he dropped back. I mean, he'd get the ball from center, two steps, and them dudes were on him, man. It was like, oh, man. And, you know, it's just. And it's hard because you sit there, then you want to. What's the quarterback? I don't want to blame the offense, but it's all of it together, it just doesn't fit. And you got to get it to fit. And once it fits, you'll see this guy, he, like you said, he made some throws. Sometimes guys, where you go, whoa, that's really good, man. So what's he have to say?
Myron Metcalf
But, coach, is there evidence that he's special? Like, I get that he's had some good moments, right? And I get that he's had some things where you go, okay, there's something there. But this was. This was the number one pick. He just.
Matt Jones
Because it's my team, you always just want to blast them because it's my team.
Myron Metcalf
This guy could have been the number one pick a year ago, according to a lot of people, wins the Heisman Trophy, comes back for another year. For two years, we've been calling Caleb Williams the guy, the number one pick. Is he special? Because I haven't seen any evidence that he's special.
Herm Edwards
I would like to see him with a coordinator that will. That will build the offense around what he can do. That's what I want to see. And I. And I. You know, and I'm not giving him an out, but I've seen things in him where I go, I can see why they picked this guy. One. Right. I mean, it's just. Look, I knew I knew. I know Jaden Daniels. I had him. I had him when he's 17 years old, 18 years old. So you could, you could just feel it like, this guy's gonna be really good. I mean, he's gonna be good. It ain't going to be too big for him. I think that maybe the best thing to happen to Caleb Williams is he got humbled. He got humbled and I wanted to see how he came out of that. And I think he's taken the right path out of that mentally and emotionally. Well, okay. You know, I thought I was hot stuff. Well, I guess when I came to the NFL, I wasn't so hot. Right. And all of it's not his fault now. Some of it is. I get it. But I'd like to see him in an offense where you can protect him and just let him play. I think he's got. I think he. Guys, he's. I think he's good. I do.
Matt Jones
Yeah. Well, I, I'm hoping you'll end up better. We're gonna have another segment here with you. We are with Herm Edwards. It's Countdown to kick off. More talking to Herm. That's next here on ESPN Radio.
Myron Metcalf
Matt and Myron, the podcast.
Matt Jones
It is kind of the kickoff here on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance, Matt Jones. Meyer Metcalf. Her med was ESPN NFL analyst joining us. All right, so I look at the game. Stay. I see Colts, Giants. That's a game only the most diehards would watch. But the Giants are in an interesting spot. They're 2 and 13. If they lose their last two games, they'll get the number one overall pick. They get to choose between Shadur Sanders and Cam Ward. Shadir Sanders had Giants logo on his cleats. He clearly wants to end up there. We'll see if the Giants agree. I don't know if you've ever been in this situation, but let's say you were in this situation. You're Brian Day Ball. You're probably going to get fired at the end of the year. It's best for the organization to lose these two games, quite honestly does you no good to win them. You'll get your choice of quarterbacks. Do you still. Do you think the Giants still go out like they're trying to win this game? Or is there a part where people in the organization are kind of like, can we not win the game? Like, how does that go?
Herm Edwards
You're trying. You're trying to. You're trying to.
Matt Jones
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Herm Edwards
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Matt Jones
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Myron Metcalf
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Matt Jones
See mintmobile.com for details. This episode is brought to you by Dutch Bros. Get stoked for all the.
Herm Edwards
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Matt Jones
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Herm Edwards
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Myron Metcalf
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Matt Jones
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Herm Edwards
Win the game.
Matt Jones
What if somebody in the organization said to you, be nice if we didn't win?
Herm Edwards
No one's going to tell you that. No one's.
Matt Jones
They won't. Okay.
Herm Edwards
No one's ever going to tell the head coach that. Okay, that, that you don't even, don't even go down that path. That's not, you know, because basically, you know, look, that's like throwing the game, right?
Matt Jones
Well, no, it is throwing the game.
Herm Edwards
You can't do that. That ain't part of it. Now you, you don't, that ain't just, that's just. And I've been on those teams. Now guys, when I was in Kansas City after my first year and I started all those rookie guys, it was a mess. And all I wanted for those guys in that locker room is feel what it, what it felt like to win a game. The joy of winning a football game. And in, when you walk in that locker room with them players, them coaches, oh, man, there ain't, there ain't no feeling like it.
Myron Metcalf
The Cam Ward situation. Cam Ward, Miami quarterback, is going to be probably one or two goes into this game against Iowa State. They lose by one. He doesn't play in the second half.
Matt Jones
After playing great in the first half.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, a lot of opinions on that. If you're, if you have, you know, the top pick in the draft or even the second big do you care about something like that? Does that change how you view Cam Moore?
Herm Edwards
I mean, you're going to have to ask him the question. And here's the sad part. Have never took place. This should have never got to this. I mean, you know, and I understand, look, bowl games. And when I played in bowl games, when I was coaching the bowl games, Arizona State, there was a couple of my star players. And, you know, I asked him the week before, when the season ended, I said, you know, and I understood if it was a big bowl, a big time bowl or whatever. And I asked him, I said, you, you, you. You going or not? No, coach, I don't want to go. Okay, good. I said, but I want you here every day with the team. I want you helping the young guys, and you're going to the bowl game. I want you on the sideline, but you're not gonna play. So the discussion with. With the quarterback, I would have told him, is real simple. You want to play? Well, coach, I don't. You don't have to play, but you ain't playing a half. No, no, no, no.
Matt Jones
Yeah. I mean, the play in the half was clearly to break the record.
Herm Edwards
No, no, no, no, no, no, no. I'm sorry, I'm. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. You either in or you out.
Matt Jones
Yeah, that's.
Herm Edwards
We ain't breaking the records here. You either in or out, man.
Matt Jones
Gotcha.
Herm Edwards
No, you either playing the game or you're not. That's all I want to know. You can't. No, we're not here to break records. We're here to win. If you break records while we're winning, that's great, but you ain't. We ain't. No, it don't work that. And see, you know, here's what's crazy. And if that was the case, okay, and everybody's saying it was when that game was tight at the end, you know what that kid should have said, coach, I want to go play. Put me back in the game, Coach. Yeah, that right there. If he'd have done that and everyone would have said, look at this.
Matt Jones
Wow.
Herm Edwards
Okay.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah.
Herm Edwards
See, he could have changed. The question that the scouts and organizations are going to ask. Are you kidding me?
Matt Jones
Do you think they'll care?
Herm Edwards
They won't care, but they're going to ask the question, why would you only play a half with your teammates? They're trying to win a bowl game and people say, well, it ain't important. Yeah, it's important. You play all year to go to a bowl game. I don't care what bowl you play in. It's good for you. It's good for the team. And now all of a sudden you say, well, I'm going to play with them a half until I break the record, and then I'm out. No, man, don't do that.
Matt Jones
Let me ask you about Shadur Sanders, not as a player, because I think he's a great player now.
Herm Edwards
He played, didn't he?
Matt Jones
He did play the whole game. Yeah.
Herm Edwards
So interesting. Okay, so.
Matt Jones
So Dion obviously was one of the best to ever play. And he. But. And there was a lot that came with Dion. Like he. He had a whole prime time energy, right? But he also played a position where you could have that prime time energy, and it was kind of expected for that kind of position. Right. Shedeur is a little different. But there's a lot that comes with Shadur that includes probably his dad making public statements about how you're doing with him and all this. Does that. Would that make any difference to you? Especially at the quarterback position? Or is it like, is he good enough or not?
Herm Edwards
Is he good enough or not? And Dion won't get involved in it.
Matt Jones
You don't think he will when he.
Herm Edwards
Goes to pro football? Yeah, Dion knows that. Dion knows Dion, that's my son. Look, when he goes to pro football, I'm out. I'm gonna be his dad.
Matt Jones
What do you mean he knows? Talk about that.
Herm Edwards
Well, you know, Dion understands the process of playing pro football, understanding how it all works when he. When his son leaves him. He can no longer coach his son. He's gonna let those coaches coach him. And Dion's not going to come back door and make public statements about the coaches messing him up. He ain't. Deon ain't going to do that. He respects the game too much. He's a Hall of Fame guy, man. Deion gets in and he's a coach. He understands what everybody was saying about him when they were losing early, right? Oh, Deion Sanders, you know, everybody was. Everybody was waiting for him to stumble a little bit. So he gets it. I mean, he's a pro. He understands. But I think when he go, when his son, wherever he goes, he's going to say, look, man, look, you got a coach. I'm not trying to put the system in for you. If the coach asked me a question, I'll tell him about you. But, man, you got to go play football now.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, real quick, about 30 seconds, Herman Travis Hunter comes to you and says, don't draft me unless you're going to let me play cornerback and wide receiver. What do you say?
Herm Edwards
Oh, boy, I would hope he wants to Play corner. That's where that. That word he. And you can let him play both, but play him corner. Because imagine this way, if he plays corner, you put him on the number two guy, your number two receiver. Yeah, the number one receiver. You double that guy. Now you got to beat this team with your third guy. You ain't win a lot of games doing that because you throw it to the number two guy. I got him my number one corner on that guy. And not only is he a good corner.
Matt Jones
Was that what you do? You put your number one corner on the two guys?
Herm Edwards
Yeah, yeah. That's what I always did, huh? You put your number one corner on number two guy because he can shut him down and you double the number one guy. And so now you sit there and say, you got to beat me with the number three.
Matt Jones
3D chess right there. How about that?
Herm Edwards
And if you go to your number two guy against my number one corner, you got a problem because he'll catch it and take it back the other way.
Matt Jones
Look at that. Herm Edwards showing that intellect. Herm, thank you very much. Get some rest. I know you'll be on all night.
Herm Edwards
You feel better, brother? Talk to you guys.
Matt Jones
Thank you, sir. We will deal more on the NFL. That's next here on ESPN Radio.
Myron Metcalf
Matt and Myron, the podcast.
Matt Jones
It is countdown to kick off here on ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance. He's Myron Metcalf. I'm Matt Jones. You know, I like to keep you up to date, Myron, while we're on the air Sunday mornings, about the various football or soccer games across America. Right now, playing is Everton and Nottingham Forest. Nottingham Forest. You know anything about Forest?
Myron Metcalf
Not in them. Forest and Everest. No, I don't know anything about either one of them. I thought they were the Spurs.
Matt Jones
That's Tottenham. This is not. That's confusing, actually. It's Nottingham. You know, like Robin Hood. Nottingham. Isn't that Robin Hood? Am I right?
Myron Metcalf
I don't know. Robin Hood was in Nottingham. I don't remember.
Matt Jones
There's like something from. I don't. Never mind. It's like something from a cartoon. You just. You don't follow the kids. The NFL mvp. You just don't follow kids literature like you should, right?
Myron Metcalf
It's Nottinghamshire Shire.
Matt Jones
It's from what? Robin Hood, right? Yeah, yeah. See, I know my Robin Hood.
Myron Metcalf
Nottinghamshire.
Matt Jones
Nottingham. Nottinghamshire. Yeah. And in Britain, I can't do it because I'm stuffed up, but he would go, nottingham, Nottingham. You know, an English accent. Wait, wait, wait, wait. Hang on just a second. Hang on. What was that? What?
Myron Metcalf
Don't they say that I like a spot tea. Don't they say that?
Matt Jones
Is that. Is that your British accent? Yeah.
Myron Metcalf
Isn't that what they say? Don't they say.
Matt Jones
What's the what. What is the word you're trying to say?
Myron Metcalf
A spot of tea. Isn't that like how they ask.
Matt Jones
A spot of tea. And so you're wanting to say a spot of tea. And how are you saying it?
Myron Metcalf
I like a spot of spot of tea. Is that good?
Matt Jones
No.
Myron Metcalf
What do you mean it's not good? I think I saw.
Matt Jones
Let'S Be Real. You watch the Diplomat on Netflix?
Myron Metcalf
What do you mean I don't sound anything like him?
Matt Jones
No, not at all. You. You watch. That's exactly what am I right? You watch the Diplomat and you. And you think you're British now, right?
Myron Metcalf
I don't. I hate that they can do our accents.
Matt Jones
And then this year, Santa's bringing the.
Herm Edwards
Power of Energizer into his workshop. Whoa.
Myron Metcalf
The Energizer bunnies got so much power.
Herm Edwards
Wait, he's powered up all the toys. I think that means we're done for the year.
Matt Jones
I love this bunny.
Herm Edwards
He's the hardest working helper the North.
Matt Jones
Pole has ever seen.
Herm Edwards
And he wants all your gifts to.
Matt Jones
Have the power of the number one longest lasting AA battery. So this holiday season, stock up on Santa's and the elves favorite battery, Energizer.
Myron Metcalf
Ultimate Lithium from ESPN Podcast and Omaha Productions.
Matt Jones
Ready? Here we go.
Myron Metcalf
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Matt Jones
We.
Myron Metcalf
Try to do theirs and people make fun of it. I don't think that's right.
Matt Jones
It is amazing how many actors all of them don't know are British.
Myron Metcalf
They're all British.
Matt Jones
Yeah, like. Like a couple people, you know, Stringer Bell from the Wire. People don't.
Myron Metcalf
Such a disappointment. By the way, when I found out he was British, that changed everything. From the Wire. Changed everything about the show for me.
Matt Jones
Really? You thought he was like a tough dude from America?
Myron Metcalf
Felt fraudulent to me. Just didn't feel right.
Matt Jones
It made the show feel fraudulent.
Myron Metcalf
Did. Yeah. I didn't like that.
Matt Jones
Did you watch Succession? Have you watched?
Myron Metcalf
Have not watched. It's on my list.
Matt Jones
Everything's Always on your list. Shiv. Shiv, the woman from succession. Very British. Like if you hear her talk, she is in the show, you would never believe it, but she is the most British.
Myron Metcalf
They're all British. All. I mean, like, there are so many shows where you see these people and they go accept awards and they're like, I like a spot tea. And you're like, whoa, when did you become British?
Matt Jones
Do they get up at the awards and say they want to spot?
Myron Metcalf
That's what they say. Yeah.
Matt Jones
That's wild. You think they just wait till they go back to their seat, but they don't. The jets and the Bills play at 1:00 today. Let me, let me ask you two questions first. Will this be the next to last game that I have to watch Aaron Rodgers play?
Myron Metcalf
Yes. Yeah, this will, this will be. And I am interested to see like what is next for him. Like, my guess is he launches a podcast. Like I think that's what will happen.
Matt Jones
But nobody's going to listen to it. Like his Netflix show I watched never got in the top five.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah.
Matt Jones
Which is not a good sign for someone as, as well known as him.
Myron Metcalf
It's amazing. Like, you know, Brett Favre went from a guy that, where it was all right there for him and then things happened at the end of his career and he just didn't really have a post NFL career. And I think Aaron Rodgers was in a position to do whatever you want, a tv, whatever. And now it's like, man, where does he go from here?
Matt Jones
He'll have a career, but it'll be like a niche. Like he'll be in, you know, that kind of right wing culture sphere. Probably. He'll probably be, you know, hanging out with, with those folks, Andrew Schultz or something. Do you, but, well, do you. But football, you don't think there's any way he comes back next year?
Myron Metcalf
No, no, he won't. The jets won't continue this experiment. You can't. Although, you know, his last couple weeks have been better than what we saw before. But you can't, you can't be a serious franchise if he's still your quarterback. And if you try to sign him, you're not a serious franchise. I think it's over for Aaron Rodgers.
Matt Jones
All right, so then let's go to the Bills. The bills are a 10 point favorite today at home. Josh Allen, I think had been assumed to be the mvp, but then Lamar had a big Thursday. You still think Josh Allen is the likely winner?
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, he's gonna win. It's hard to sway voters. And again, this is a panel of 50 voters, you know, people who are media guys who are. Who are making this decision. And here's what happens when you vote for these awards, and I vote for a bunch of them. Not in the NFL, but in basketball. Once there's a narrative at some point in the season that this is the guy. Now someone has to do something pretty dramatic to overtake that dude. So for me, it's not like, oh, people are waiting until the end of the season to pick between Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow. No, they decided weeks ago that their guy was Josh Allen, that he was the mvp. And now you got Lamar and maybe Joe Burrow, who would have to do something so fantastic for someone to switch their vote. Like, that's just the way it works, which is why Josh Allen will win. I think the perception of it matters a lot. Lamar Jackson has recognizable guys on this team. You know, you got Derek Henry, you got other players that people know who knows anybody on the Bills but Josh Allen? Like, what general fan, what casual fan can name anybody who plays with Josh Allen? You know, and I think that helps him, too. He lost so many players. He's played the most efficient football of his career. Even though the touchdown numbers aren't as big, it'll be Josh Allen. As great as Lamar Jackson has been, it's going to be Josh Allen at.
Matt Jones
As of right now. Are these the updated odds? Josh Allen is minus 215 on ESPN. Bad. Lamar is plus 180. Burrow is plus 1600. But just to give you an example, before the game on, on Christmas, Lamar was minus 500. Or, excuse me, Josh Allen was minus 500. So Lamar's game on Christmas did affect the odds quite a bit.
Myron Metcalf
Meyer. I'm sure it did. No, and it. It makes sense as to why. But I'm telling you how voters are wired. Voters take pride in saying, this is the guy on my ballot. This is the. This is the mvp. They have a sense of pride because, you know, with, like, most people, with media folks, you want to feel validated in some way when you make a choice like this. And it's going to be hard to, I think, sway the bulk of those voters to pick Lamar Jackson. I do think three. Three MVPs is a thing as well. How many MVPs did Michael Jordan lose in the 90s because people just felt like Karl Malone?
Matt Jones
Oh, I think that's a big piece of it. I think that's a big piece. Same thing happened to Jokic as he Tries to get a third. There is a sense of, do you really deserve to have three? Let me ask you about the Bills. You know, they, they kind of barely squeaked by the Patriots at home last week. Kind of a surprising result. Get a similar game today against the Jets. Do you have any concerns about Buffalo? I mean, they, they were playing for home field to still be in it and really struggled to get that victory. Or do you just think, well, it's in division, doesn't really matter.
Myron Metcalf
No, I think the ceiling is high. Like, we've seen that. We know they can beat the best. They've done that this season. But I think the floor is pretty low, too. The challenge with Buffalo is I don't know if they're talented enough to get to a Super Bowl. Josh Allen's incredible, you know, and when he's playing his best, they can compete with anybody. But I don't know if they have the talent around him because this, this is where it begins to matter. Matt. Right when you go into the playoffs and all of a sudden Josh Allen, they're putting all the pressure on him and you just need guys to make plays. That's when it's a talent thing. Like who else is going to step up and make that kind of game altering play in the postseason for the Bills? I don't know if they have another guy who can do that outside of Josh Allen, and I think that's where they will be. You know, it'll be a challenge for them in those moments because I don't know that there's enough around.
Matt Jones
Yeah, I think there's something to that. I still believe in Josh Allen, but, you know, the fact they didn't get home field, I think does matter. I mean, you know, Kansas City has it and if you look at what their road is going to be, there's a good chance they'll open up with the 7. That's likely to be Denver, although it could be Cincinnati. But then they're going to sit there and they're going to get the three. And the three is now looks like it could be the Steelers. Looks like. I mean, it could still even be the Ravens. If the Ravens move up, there might be a Chargers team sitting there. I mean, I, you know, the Bills, I think, are actually very vulnerable in a lot of different places going into this.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, no, no, it's not going to be easy. Road. I will say on the side note, Kansas City's hoping and praying that they don't have to play Cincinnati, you know, in Kansas City.
Matt Jones
But, well, but they won't have to play Cincinnati because If Cincinnati's the 7, they're still going to have to play the twos. If Cincinnati makes it, they're going to have to go to Buffalo. I mean, if you're Buffalo, you're sitting there hoping Cincinnati doesn't make it. I mean, you would hate to see Joe Burrow coming in that first round, wouldn't you?
Myron Metcalf
Yeah. Playing a hot team. You don't want to play a hot team. I think Josh Allen, to me, as much as the numbers aren't as big, he's playing, I think, the best football. If you look at just in terms of how efficient he is, I just think you need more to win a Super bowl to get to a Super Bowl. And if everything goes through Kansas City again in Kansas City, that's a tall task for anybody. But this is where I think the shortcomings of Buffalo and the talent around him will be a bigger factor.
Matt Jones
Aren't you glad you finally agree with me now that it's Kansas City's until they lose? That's been my position all year. And you've been, You've been poo poo. Now it sounds like you've come around to.
Myron Metcalf
No, no, I still, I still side with NFL history. I still don't think they'll win it. NFL history says, well, if you don't.
Matt Jones
Think the Bills are going to win it, you don't think the Chiefs are going to win it. Who are you picking? And didn't just see a. Last week. I didn't just. Last week, you take the Chiefs and the Bills and I took the field.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah. I don't. I'm not saying the Bills won't win, and I'm saying it'll be a tall task. That's all I'm saying.
Matt Jones
And so the super bowl winner right now.
Myron Metcalf
I haven't. I haven't. I don't. I don't have one right now.
Matt Jones
Well, let's pick Wood.
Myron Metcalf
I don't want to pick one right now. I mean, I want to pick one.
Matt Jones
Where she'll like it, show some guts, make a pick.
Myron Metcalf
I don't. I honestly don't. It's five teams, I think can win it right now.
Matt Jones
Will you listen? This guy, Nick.
Myron Metcalf
Five teams. This is Sunday.
Matt Jones
Sunday morning. People need their analysis, Nick. Five teams they turn on to hear what Myron Metcalf thinks.
Myron Metcalf
And he.
Matt Jones
Five teams. Can you blame him? I mean, he's.
Myron Metcalf
He's lost the pick segment how many times?
Matt Jones
Well, that's true, but five teams can win. Myron five no teams.
Myron Metcalf
No teams won three in a row ever. It has never happened.
Matt Jones
But you realize how generic a statement five teams can win it is. That's like looking at the college football playoffs and going, you know, I feel good about six of the teams left in the playoffs. Yeah, you think?
Myron Metcalf
No, I, I'm still picking against Kansas City.
Matt Jones
All right, so there's a benefit history. All right. What about the Ravens, can they win it?
Myron Metcalf
Ravens can win it at their.
Matt Jones
What about the Bills, can they win?
Myron Metcalf
Can win it at their.
Matt Jones
What about the lines, can they win it?
Myron Metcalf
The Lions can win it at their best.
Matt Jones
What about the Eagles, can they win?
Myron Metcalf
The Eagles. The Eagles and Vikings can win.
Matt Jones
So you're put. You're taking the Chiefs out.
Myron Metcalf
I'll throw the packers in there too.
Matt Jones
So you're getting. Hang on. This is an amazing thing. Yeah. You're picking six teams to the Super Bowl.
Myron Metcalf
Yes.
Matt Jones
You're wanting all six of them, but you're leaving the Chiefs out.
Myron Metcalf
Yes. This is.
Matt Jones
That is insanity.
Myron Metcalf
This is not the Kansas City team of past.
Matt Jones
You are insane.
Myron Metcalf
This is.
Matt Jones
You are leaving now.
Myron Metcalf
This is not the juggernaut that they have been. They have won a ton of close games.
Matt Jones
Packers. You think Green Bay packers have a better chance than the Chief?
Myron Metcalf
I'll be honest with you. I'll be honest with you about something. I think Kansas City in reality is a 10 win team. I think they're. I think they're a 10 and 17.
Matt Jones
Are you drunk?
Myron Metcalf
I'm not. Did you take. Not at all this morning. Not. Not at all. I think they are the equivalent of a 10 win team. If you look at the way that so many of those finishes could have gone the other way. This is not the juggernaut we have seen in past seasons. They're going to lose in the playoffs. They are not going to win the Super Bowl.
Matt Jones
I've known you for a long time and so I don't say this.
Myron Metcalf
Ask me if I was drunk, by the way.
Matt Jones
I don't. I don't say this.
Myron Metcalf
No espn. I'm not drinking.
Matt Jones
He might be. I don't say this with, with that coffee, like too quickly. That's the worst opinion you've had.
Myron Metcalf
It's not the worst opinion.
Matt Jones
The worst opinion you've ever had is A, I'm picking six teams to win the super bowl and B, one of them is not the Chiefs. That's the craziest thing I've ever heard.
Myron Metcalf
They have not played to the level that people expect. So many games could have gone the other Way so many games should have gone.
Matt Jones
888, say ESPN if you're. You would. If you would like to respond to that. Matter of fact, Chiefs fans, this guy just said you're a ten win team.
Myron Metcalf
Yes.
Matt Jones
And that the packers have a better chance to win the Super Bowl.
Myron Metcalf
Yes.
Matt Jones
I need to hear from you. 888 say ESPN. Myron is drunk. I am. Matt.
Myron Metcalf
Don't say that.
Matt Jones
This is kickoff on ESPN right now.
Myron Metcalf
Tell people that that's not true.
Matt Jones
Matt.
Myron Metcalf
Myron the PO.
Matt Jones
Meyer Metcalf here on Countdown to Kickoff does many things well. He's got a great laugh. He's nice personality. He doesn't do good reads or come in and out of breaks, but he does add a lot of joy. But he also says maybe the worst thing of all time, and if you didn't hear the last segment, he said six teams can win the super bowl, one of them is not the Chiefs. And the fold lines have lit up with people ready to tell you you're wrong. Myers, I'm gonna give these people a chance to tell you you're incorrect. And you have to. You have to counter their point. Okay, I'm gonna give them each 20 seconds to give their point. You let them talk and then Myron, you counter it. You ready to go?
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, I'm ready to go.
Matt Jones
Let's go to Keegan in Portland. Go, Keegan.
Myron Metcalf
Oh, Keegan.
Herm Edwards
Hey.
Matt Jones
Let's go Keegan and Portland here. Yeah.
Herm Edwards
What's up? Saying that they're not the juggernaut of years past, but yeah, last year they.
Matt Jones
Had what, 11 wins in the season? And you would probably would have thought that they weren't the juggernaut last year they went on to win the super bowl.
Herm Edwards
And you're saying they only should deserve 10 wins this year?
Matt Jones
Even if they only had 10 wins and they got in the playoffs, I bet they'd still win the super bowl because they have Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. So I don't see what's different than the years past that you're saying they're different now, but. Yeah. All right, Keegan, there you go. What's your response, Byron?
Myron Metcalf
First off, I've never heard of anyone named Keegan beyond Keegan and Peel.
Matt Jones
So that Keegan Murgat, Keegan Murray, plays in the NBA, played for Iowa. True.
Myron Metcalf
That's Keegan. To me, this has been, you know, not that same Patrick Mahomes. This hasn't been the same guy. Hasn't been the overwhelming presence. 11 picks today, 14 last year hasn't Been as effective.
Matt Jones
So he said less picks this year than he did last year.
Myron Metcalf
Well, we still got another game, but. But I also just got four picks. He's not the dominant force he has been. And they have won a lot of games that were not the result of Mahomes. They were last second. You know, errors by the opposing team. They've won on one in many games.
Matt Jones
He's not as dominant as he's been, but he has three fewer picks.
Myron Metcalf
And this is the luckiest team in the NFL. That's the problem.
Matt Jones
Luckiest team. All right, so that was a terrible argument. Linda in South Carolina. Go ahead, Linda. Hey, man, I just like what you're saying, Myron. I hope you included the Bills there in your top six.
Herm Edwards
I'm gonna tell you this.
Matt Jones
They're gonna choke Bills. Not the Bills, the Chiefs.
Myron Metcalf
Thank you. Why?
Matt Jones
Why are they gonna choke, Linda?
Herm Edwards
Because they have had too many close.
Matt Jones
Games, and luck goes so far. But they had close games like they had close games last year, Linda. And then they still want them in the playoffs. Yeah, but I'm personally involved in this with my Bills fandom. I can't choose anything else. But you were personally involved last year, and they came into your stadium and whipped you. And I said, God, I hate you for saying that. Well, I mean, it's just a fact, Linda. I mean, I didn't do it. I mean, you can't get mad at me. I mean, if it's 50 degrees outside, Linda, and I tell you it's 50 degrees, you can't get mad at me for saying the actual facts.
Myron Metcalf
I understand why she's mad at you. That's not, you know, you're talking about her team.
Matt Jones
But, Linda, you can't be mad at facts.
Myron Metcalf
I think you can be. I think the reality to me is this is not the overwhelming force. Last year was a team that didn't look great. And, yes, they figured out in the playoffs, but I think that was more of Baltimore and Buffalo will not play into their potential.
Matt Jones
It's like Linda gets mad at facts.
Myron Metcalf
In a lot of ways.
Matt Jones
I can't imagine getting mad at facts. Facts is. You know, as this kid I went to middle school with used to say when a teacher would question him, his name was Rodney. You know what Rodney would say, Myron? He would go, facts is facts and facts is facts. And when facts is facts, you can't argue with them. Let's go to Zach in Kansas City. Zach, you said Myron's been drinking. I think he drank a whole bottle of nyquil. And slept. Walked all the way through last year. Yeah, thankfully you're sitting here.
Herm Edwards
You're sitting.
Matt Jones
Last year wasn't great because Baltimore and Buffalo played bad.
Herm Edwards
We also had to beat the 49ers who were better than both of them.
Matt Jones
In the Super Bowl.
Myron Metcalf
Also you played Miami and it was like 40 degrees below zero in the first game of the playoffs. They, they weren't a great team coming into the playoffs. It's certainly not as good as the two previous super bowl teams that Patrick.
Matt Jones
But they beat all these.
Myron Metcalf
They did, they won. I'm giving them credit in the postseason. I'm giving them credit in the post.
Matt Jones
You just said it wasn't that great a year.
Myron Metcalf
They won regular season is what I said. Regular season. Obviously they finished strong. This is different. This is a team because this is a team that legitimately is winning games based on mistakes in the final two minutes of close games. Sometimes it gets bad. Teams like this is the same team a couple of weeks ago that nearly left Carolina with a loss. Like this is a Kansas City team that did they win in past years, would have won that game by three.
Matt Jones
Did the Bills barely win?
Myron Metcalf
Would have won the Patriots at home.
Matt Jones
Didn't the Patriots have the ball with a chance to win at the end at Buffalo?
Myron Metcalf
What I'm. But I just said in the previous segment, Buffalo's floor is, is lower than maybe people really believe. So I understand that. You got to admit that about Kansas City. You can't just look at the lucky wins and go, well, no, that's skill.
Matt Jones
It's not. They have the all time NFL record for one score wins in a row.
Myron Metcalf
All time winning record for luck.
Matt Jones
Eugene is in Kansas City. Go ahead, Eugene.
Myron Metcalf
Eugene, quick 20 seconds.
Herm Edwards
I got 20 seconds.
Matt Jones
Look at the last three games.
Myron Metcalf
They've came out of their shell.
Herm Edwards
Yes, they've had some close games, but.
Matt Jones
Chris Jones will be back here in.
Myron Metcalf
A week or two.
Matt Jones
But Checo got back. Their offense is actually stronger.
Myron Metcalf
Mahomes had his best game the last game against Pittsburgh.
Matt Jones
Yes. And 15:1 is no joke. Preach it, but it is a joke.
Myron Metcalf
Thing is, should have lost to Vegas. They're lost to Carolina, lost to Buffalo. Should have lost to Denver. Should have lost overtime to Tampa Bay. Didn't know what he was doing as a head coach.
Matt Jones
Those games they did lose.
Myron Metcalf
Okay, but like, but I can point to you and say why they won those games. Yeah, they won earlier this season. So I don't know. He's talking about coming out of their shell. Well, isn't a Super bowl juggernauts never supposed to be in the shell in the first place.
Matt Jones
I mean, they are 15 1. They're going to have one of the 10 greatest regular seasons of all time.
Myron Metcalf
I think they're a 10 win team.
Matt Jones
10 win. Well, then why is the record say 15?
Myron Metcalf
Because they've had some lucky finishes. You have. And that's okay to admit.
Matt Jones
Marcus is in Missouri. Marcus, Go ahead, Marcus. All right. Kane is in Kansas City. Quickly.
Herm Edwards
I should have been content to just being a white guy, trying around having Myron sell me something on the drops.
Matt Jones
But then I had to call in.
Herm Edwards
So just know this, the preseason is now over. The yada, yada, yada.
Matt Jones
The real Chiefs are here.
Herm Edwards
Sit back, take 21 days off, handle your business.
Matt Jones
And the only thing they're going to be choking on is another super bowl celebration day. There you go, choking on a Super bowl in Kansas City. Myron Metcalf, Next.
Myron Metcalf
Thanks for listening to Matt and Myon the Podcast. You can listen to the show live every Sunday morning at 10am Eastern on ESPN radio, the ESPN app, and on Sirius XM channel 80. Matt and Myron the Podcast.
Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron: Hour 2 – Herm Edwards, ESPN NFL Analyst
Hosts:
Release Date: December 29, 2024
The episode kicks off with lively banter between Matt Jones, Myron Metcalf, and their guest, Herm Edwards. Myron playfully teases Herm about his hectic schedule, highlighting Herm's frequent appearances on various shows. Matt adds humor by suggesting Herm might need to invest in a condo in Bristol due to his extensive travel.
Notable Quote:
The discussion shifts to the NFC Championship Game, focusing on Sam Darnold's potential to lead the Vikings to the Super Bowl. Herm expresses confidence in Darnold's abilities, praising his offensive growth under coach Kevin O'Connell.
Notable Quotes:
Herm delves into the complexities of quarterback decisions, using the Vikings' dilemma between Sam Darnold and the young J.J. McCarthy as a case study. He emphasizes the importance of understanding team dynamics and the potential longevity of a quarterback's performance.
Notable Quotes:
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing the NFL MVP race. Herm Edwards discusses the likelihood of Josh Allen securing the MVP title over Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow, citing media narratives and team performances.
Notable Quotes:
Herm presents a bold Super Bowl prediction, controversially excluding the Kansas City Chiefs from his list of potential champions. This sparks a heated debate between the hosts about the Chiefs' performance and historical prowess.
Notable Quotes:
The episode features interactions with listeners who challenge Herm's Super Bowl picks. Herm defends his stance by pointing out inconsistencies in the Chiefs' recent performances and emphasizing the importance of team consistency over past glories.
Notable Quotes:
The episode concludes with light-hearted exchanges and a reaffirmation of Herm Edwards' analytical perspectives on the NFL. The hosts express appreciation for Herm's insights and humorously acknowledge the intensity of their debates.
Notable Quote:
Conclusion: In this engaging episode, Herm Edwards offers in-depth analysis of current NFL dynamics, from quarterback performances to MVP considerations and Super Bowl predictions. His candid and sometimes controversial opinions provide listeners with a fresh perspective on the ever-evolving sports landscape.