← The Herd with Colin Cowherd
The Herd with Colin Cowherd
3 & Out - Sean Payton BELIEVES in the Broncos, NFL betting odds, What to expect from DK Metcalf
01:15:04
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- [00:00]
John Middlecoff
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- [00:58]
Katie Couric
Older on the latest episode of Next Question with Me, Katie Couric, I sat down with Jasmine Crockett, Democratic Representative of Texas. She's holding down the fort for her party in one of the most conservative states in the union.
- [01:11]
Unknown Democratic Representative
I think that ultimately who will become the Democratic nominee for president will be someone that has been out there and has shown that they won't allow themselves to be punched and just say thank you like they will punch.
- [01:25]
Katie Couric
Listen to Next Question with me, Katie Couric on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [01:33]
Freddie Prinze Jr.
We're breaking down SummerSlam, the biggest party of the summer on Wrestling with Freddie. From our bold picks to storyline breakdowns, we will discuss who walks out with gold, who shocks the night, and which matches steal the show we call the winners, the upsets and the chaos to expect. Plus whatever swerves nobody saw coming. Listen to Wrestling with Freddie as part of the Mike Lutura Podcast Network, available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [02:00]
Sarah Spain
Get fired up y'.
- [02:01]
John Middlecoff
All.
- [02:01]
Sarah Spain
Season 2 of Good Game with Sarah Spain is underway. We just welcomed one of my favorite people, an incomparable soccer icon Megan Rapinoe, to the show and we had a blast. Take a listen. Sue and I were like riding the lime bikes the other day and we're like wee.
- [02:17]
John Middlecoff
Like this is people ride bikes because it's fun.
- [02:21]
Sarah Spain
We got more incredible guests like Megan in store, plus news of the day and more. So make sure you listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your Podcasts brought to you by Novartis, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports Network.
- [02:37]
Unknown Speaker
The volume.
- [02:51]
John Middlecoff
What is going on, everybody? How are we doing? I am. I'm excited to be here. Well, given this is my house, but I'm excited to be talking about football because that's what we do. I did a podcast yesterday with Colin, so you can find that on his YouTube channel. You can find that wherever you listen to podcasts. Apple, Spotify, you guys know the drill. So I did not do anything on the three and out podcast feed channel, but I'm excited to talk a little ball today because Sean Payton had some comments that I went, wow, he's. He's not kidding. He loves this team. A lot of positive momentum. Kind of a little different vibe right now in Chicago. So we'll dive into those two teams, which Colin and I have talked a lot about the young quarterback. So I kind of want to piggyback off what we've been discussing. And then I was looking Today on the DraftKings app, there's one team I'm going to hit on betting on the divisional futures today, and I got four bets that I really like. One is my. One of my favorite bets on the board. So we'll do some of this leading up to the season, but I do want to hammer on some. Some future bets as we kind of work our way into week one. And today we will do some divisional winners. So I love to gamble. I saw a story today that talked about love to gamble. I mean, betting on yourself. This guy, we'll dive into it. This guy turned down a lot of money from Zuckerberg to run his AI operation. That was just. Just an incredible eye opener. It's like, jesus, this is insane. But before we dive into any football, any Sean Payton, you know, I gotta tell you about my friends, my partners in the official ticketing app of this podcast. I'm not a big FOMO guy. I'm really not. But I saw something this weekend that gave me fomo. Morgan Wallen is doing a little stadium tour, selling out left and right. He was in San Francisco, this actually San Jose, playing Levi's. Friday night, he walked out with Barry Bonds and Steve Young and the place went nuts. You know, I think Barry 61 and Steve 63, they look fantastic. I don't know. I will die to look like they do in their 60s. But then, then Saturday, I was like, God, that's pretty cool. He walked out with George Kittle, who was slamming beers, and Trent Williams. So if you want to go See Morgan Wallen, he's on his big tour this, this off season or I guess this summer. It's not, some people are in season if you're a baseball player, but if you want to go check that out, you can search by concert venue, you can search by artists. It does not get any easier. Obviously football is right around the corner if you want to go to a college game, if you want to go to a pro game, there are some incredible early season college matchups. And if you want, if your team's playing in one of those games, you want to go to the game, search by the stadium, search by the team. Just take the guesswork out of buying tickets. With gametime. Download the Game Time app, create an account and use the code John for $20 off your first purchase terms apply. Again, create an account, redeem the code John for $20 off down the Gametime app today, last minute take its lowest price guaranteed. You know, it's funny when you, when you have a young son on, on the way, you start thinking about life a little bit differently. You start thinking like, what am I going to do to raise this child the right way? You start thinking of all these different angles of like, how am I going to instill confidence? How am I going to give this young man the belief in himself to go take on the world, to go follow and chase your dreams. Because chasing your dreams and doing something big in life, take some confidence. Like, it's hard to do things in life when you are young and I'm talking in your teens, in your 20s, hell in your 30s, without older people, accomplished people, people that you look up to that believe in you. That is a very, very powerful thing. I know that just speaking from my own experience, I, I've been very lucky to have people believe in me throughout my life, starting with my parents, leading into my professional career. Sitting here right now to have Colin Coward, who is, I would say, as big of a champion for myself and you know, a guy that has, you know, been behind me and led the way that I couldn't, I couldn't pay. I can't even quantify what that has meant to me personally, professionally, and I'm sure many people listening, right, no matter what industry you're in, people that kind of show you the way that have done it, that have accomplished things that you want to accomplish is a powerful thing because confidence as a young person can come and go and it's very, very easy to lose. It's the older you get, the more experiences you have, the more things you've seen, it was harder to really rattle a 38 year old Peyton Manning, a 41 year old Tom Brady, like Jeff Bezos, Phil Knight, some of these guys, they've seen some. So even a quote unquote bad business day, like pretty easy to kind of shrug your shoulders, dust yourself off and come back swinging. Obviously for those guys, a lot of cash, but you know what I mean. And when you're 23, 25, 28, like your, your life experiences, even if you've seen some shit, are nowhere near what a lot of people that are older than you. And Sean Payton is, you know, one of the more accomplished coaches in the NFL. He's won a Super Bowl. He is widely considered one of the best offensive minds of his generation. And let's face it, he's kind of a no nonsense, no bullshit guy. Now he's a big talker, big bravado, kind of cocky, but I don't think he just throws out things if he does not believe him. And he had some comments today that made me go, whoa. One just, he's clearly a big believer in his team. He thinks they are going to be really good. Last year they won 10 games. This year they obviously have higher expectations and definitely starts with him. And he said that I've coached six teams that I thought could win the Super Bowl. Some went to the championship games, some to the playoffs. This is my seventh team that I think has that. So he believes in his career that this Denver Bronco team is as good as some of those saints teams, obviously 1 1A Super Bowl. He has countless others that got back to conference championship games and had a team that was just peppering playoff bursts on a yearly basis throughout the 2010s, so he knows what a really good team looks like, but you can't be a really good team. I don't care how good your defense is. And let's face it, Denver's defense is awesome. I don't care how good your offensive line is. Their offensive line is really good. Their skill positions, I think they feel a lot better about their skill group this year than they did last year, especially at running back. But you can't do without a quarterback. And I think sometimes in the NFL, like we've seen a lot of stories, especially now that a lot of these player podcasts and you know, older players have voices and guys talk about their experiences and guys that have had really, really good careers, they say early on, like, I don't know if that offensive coordinator really loved me. You know, I got drafted here but the defensive scheme did not fit my skill set. And then the position coach turned on me. He didn't think I was any good. It was just weird vibes. It wasn't until I got to coach X, it wasn't until I got to organization Y that I thought, okay, these guys believe in me, I believe in myself, and we're off to the races and I can thrive. Some people are lucky enough to go to a place and that place and that coach are all in on that guy. The best example in recent, I would say NFL history would be Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. Patrick Mahomes couldn't have, you know, written a script to get him to a place better than the Chiefs in Andy Reid's belief in him, the organization's belief in him. And it's been perfect. And they've had borderline unprecedented success for like six years. Right? @ least, you know, non Patriots. But a lot of guys, you know, go to places where it's like, yeah, the GM wanted me, the coach didn't, or the coach wanted me. But the organization's not a big believe. The owner is kind of on the fence. Happens all the time. And here's the thing. Sean Payton next year, Drew Brees is Hall of Fame eligible. I got a news flash. He's going to walk right into the hall of Fame. He is going to be a first ballot hall of Famer. So Sean Payton's got a pretty good idea what a really good quarterback looks like. And Sean Payton said this to Charles Robinson of Yahoo, that I went, damn, he doesn't like this guy. He freaking loves him. This is Sean Payton on Bo Nicks. He's going to be one of the top four or five quarterbacks in the NFL in the next two years. That's what we're seeing right now. He doesn't take sacks. He's got an exceptional arm. He threw the longest ball of the season last year at 67 air yards against Cincinnati. He can run, he can throw it in funny body angles. Sean Payton's all in on this guy. He told you last year. I think there's a decent chance that we'll never know because it's easy to do the exercise when you draft. 10th or 15th or 20th to go. We would have taken this guy number one. He was our favorite player in the draft. That gets said a lot and it's easy to say, it's easy to justify. We love this guy. He's one of our favorite players. But if I put the Denver Broncos last year at number one, I'm not saying it's a lock that Bo Nix goes number one. But I think there's a decent chance that Sean Payton, who gives zero fucks, and I also think it's easier the older you get, is accomplished as you are. And let's face it, financially, it helps. Like, he's got a lot of money in the bank right now. He's not worried about perception on the outside because we saw a couple years ago he couldn't stand Russell Wilson, and it was easy for him to turn on him because that wasn't his guy. He definitely didn't sign him in. One thing that you see right there, and I saw, I heard Diana Rossini say this. She knows Sean really well. He hates when guys hates take sex. Like, that's. That's not a pet peeve of him. That. That's like a deal breaker. He's out on you. We all know people that, like, if you do something to cross them, whether it's personally, whether it's our friend, whether it's someone we work with, like, you're done. You're dead to them, right? And some people, it's like, God, just take a deep breath. They're not that bad. Like, give them another chance. But some people, we all know these people. I'm not necessarily like this, but I know some people that are like this. I've definitely worked around some people that are like this. They just won't give you another chance. And it was clear early on in that season, Russell Wilson was dead to Sean Payton. And he was lucky. The owner had a lot of money, didn't care, and let him do whatever he wanted and he punted. But now he's all in on this kid. And listen, this guy, like, for a long college career, saw some stuff and he's got some scars and, you know, just some. He's gone through a lot of adversity. Like, he's got a unique background and track record of adversity for a young player. I would say the same thing for Michael Pennix. They aren't your typical. Like, Caleb Williams basically showed up to college, everyone was on their knees saying, do you want to blow or you want a handy? And then for the next three years, he got unlimited money. No one could stop talking about him. And it's been a little hard for him. And you got Ben Johnson now saying, like, yeah, this a lot going on here. He just said, yesterday our practice was so sloppy. I expect more at this point in time. In camp, Ben Johnson a couple weeks ago said, I think like they're three or four days into camp. There really isn't a ton of carryover from what Caleb was asked to do from a play call standpoint or anything of that nature before. I mean, he's always been very comfortable as a shotgun quarterback going back to college and even last year he's very comfortable in the two minute, he's very comfortable with tempo plays. And so now we're asking him to be a little more structured in terms of the play call. Sometimes there's multiple calls, you know, there's shifts, there's motions, there's more going on mentally than probably there's ever been for him. And so at this point, this thing will start slowing down and he's going to be able to catch up and his physical ability will take him over from there. But right now, because mentally it is what it is, he's playing a little bit slower. And obviously there are a ton of clips with Caleb just being completely overwhelmed. Whether it's in team drills or inaccurate. I don't know if Caleb's going to be a star as of right now. I would bet against it. But I do know the power of confidence and I know the power of belief. And just because you get pick number one once you go through the season in which he did and now you get the opposite of this coach coming in who's like, I know my shit works. Even if I got to change my offense a little bit to try to bring out some of your strengths that are different from Jared Goff. My offense is predicated getting rid of the football fast, reading the defense and getting rid of the rock. I think there are some parallels with Ben Johnson's success in Detroit and the way Sean Payton likes to run his offense. Even if I'm going to be open minded and make some changes, Bo Nix is a lot different player than Drew Brees. You can use some running attribute attributes of Bo into your playbook that you wouldn't have with Bo with with Drew Brees, just like you can with Caleb Williams that you couldn't have with Jared Goff. But there are some non negotiables, there are some fucking deal breakers and that's holding onto the ball, taking sacks and ruining the flow of the offense. You have to play within the play call. It's one thing Russell Wilson can never really do. The difference is for like four or five years with Russell Wilson, he was one of the most incredible playmakers in the history of the NFL. And then as his athleticism kind of dipped, he clearly didn't want to take hits and he wanted to dominate from within the pocket. He couldn't do it. And all these offensive coordinators started turning on the guy. So I think when you look at Sean Payton, it's easy to have confidence and belief. A lot of GMs and coaches do when they make the draft pick. But you eventually then got to play, right, and become a good player. And for them to believe in you, I have to see it. I'll never forget like the, the Brock Purdy experience where I knew like Trey Lance was done because the star players didn't believe in him. Trent Williams, Debo Samuel, Fred Warner, George Kittle. Yet when Brock came in, all those guys, all their chips were in the middle of the table, was like, I'm telling you guys have no, you guys don't understand how good this guy is. They were the ones saying it. Oftentimes coaches will say it because clearly, like they need to instill this confidence. But when you hear it from the players, when you hear, when you hear it from the team, especially a team full of like accomplished guys, like they're not bullshitting with you. You know, it's the thing with Justin Jefferson about J.J. mcCarthy's like, yeah, he's got some work to do, which of course he does has some work to do, but like sometimes work to do doesn't ever turn into a good player. And I listen, I told, I said this to Colin yesterday because in the history of the league, you, you know, if you have four first round quarterbacks or five first round quarterbacks, there's never been six. We know the percentages of first round players that hit, it's around 50%. And when it comes to quarterbacks, obviously there was an awful year in 2021 where they all flopped except Trevor Lawrence, and that's still a work in progress. He's just a highly paid guy. But you know, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields, Mack Jones, they've all been on countless teams since. That is more of an outlier from a negative standpoint. But typically like not all these guys are going to the Pro bowl. And Jaden Daniels is going to be good. Like C.J. stroud had a down year. We all know he's good. You know, Jaden Daniels, even if he doesn't have like an all pro year, I think he's going to be a good player. Like he's, he's not, that's not a whiff. Like he's going to be a good player in the NFL for a while. Bo, Nix this. This is real. Like it's not now how good is he? Sean Payton top four or five quarterback in the league, I don't know but I know he's going to be good. Why? Because his head coach where offense is his baby on a team with a loaded fucking defense and now clearly like a winning high level culture, like it's going to work. I would say Mike Variable Drake may like kind of betting on that again. Do I think he's going to be a top seven quarterback? I wouldn't go that far but I think he's going to be a solid player in the NFL. Some of these other guys are going to whiff J.J. mcCarthy, Caleb Williams, Michael Panix. I like Michael Pennix the most out of the next three guys. I love Michael Penix in college. But like I just bet against Atlanta, you know, I know we got Drake London tossing Raheem Morris in practice to the ground when he's trying to jam at the line of scrimmage. But like 50% hit, like if Jaden and Bo are hits, you got to pick one of the next four guys and I don't know, it gets, gets a little iffy quick. But Sean Payton's belief, his confidence, he can't even fake it. Where Ben Johnson? And listen, he's a new coach. You come in and the pressure like sometimes in practice. There are certain things that happen in training camp that would mean nothing to me. You could tell me Travis Kelsey dropped every pass. He had 12 targets in practice during group and team. You couldn't even if you wrote that as a headline, I'd be like, who cares? Joe Burrow through five picks in practice, who gives a shit, right? But there are stuff going on in practice. Like when Ben Johnson is talking about it and these videos come out, you're like Jesus. And it's the opposite with Bo Nix in Denver. It also shows you. And listen in fairness to Caleb and who knows whether he would have been good or you know, some star regardless where he went. But it does matter where you go, who's coaching you. It's like remember those quotes in that book excerpt about Caleb and his dad? It wanted to go to Kevin o'. Connell. They wanted to go to an offensive infrastructure and a guy that knew what he was doing. Instead they got Eber flu and now they got this guy that, you know, I think hoping this works out but if it doesn't, he'll pivot and he'll get another quarterback. Pro golfers drive for show and put for some dough. And the easiest way to make you some dough, betting on this week's tournament at DraftKings Sportsbook. From the opening round championship Sunday, DraftKings Sportsbook has you covered with live betting, player props and so much more. If you've never bet on golfers before, it's easy. You can take them to win. You can take them to top 10. You can take them top 20. Some guys this week I like. We're making the push toward the FedEx playoffs. Ricky Fowler has been playing good golf. Hammer him to top 20. Max Homa another guy who is trending top 20. Matt Fitzpatrick also playing really well. If you want to get a little more aggressive. Top 10 Jake Nap as well. Just had a good week at the 3M. Download the DraftKing sportsbook app now and use the Go John. That's code JOHN for new customers to get 150 in bonus bets instantly. When you bet just five bucks only on DraftKings, the crown is yours. Gambling Problem Call 1-800- gambler in New York, call 877-8-HOPENY or text hopeny 467-369 in Connecticut. Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org Please play responsibly on behalf of Boot Hill casino in Resorting, Kansas, 21 and over. Age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void. In Ontario, bonus bets expire seven days after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG.
- [21:53]
Unknown Democratic Representative
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- [22:53]
Unknown Speaker
So in the last month the Midas Touch Network beat Rogan, Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Charlie Kirk and Ben Shapiro all.
- [23:01]
Katie Couric
Combined conservative podcasts can have a major political impact, but the Meisellis brothers, three siblings with a serious media strategy, are building an alternative to that. On the latest episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, I sat down with the brothers behind the Midas Touch Network to talk about how they built a progressive media powerhouse from the ground up, why audience interaction is the key to political influence, and what it takes to fight disinformation at scale. One download at a time.
- [23:32]
Unknown Speaker
We should be focusing on the issues that actually occupy a lot of the mental space in Americans minds but are filled with conspiracies and and we should fill it with the truth and solutions.
- [23:44]
Katie Couric
Listen to Next Question with me, Katie Couric on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [23:52]
Freddie Prinze Jr.
It's the biggest party of the summer. WWE SummerSlam is here and wrestling with Freddie is all over it. We're talking wild matches, big surprises and our boldest predictions yet. From celebrity showdowns to the chaos inside a steel cage, we're breaking down every match and calling who we think walks out. On top of this card is loaded from Cody Rhodes, John Cena, Rhea, Ripley and Tiffy, just to name a few. This lineup is ready to tear down the house. We'll give you our unfiltered takes, honest debates and you already know, a ton of laughs along the way. We're covering the upsets, the wild returns and the championship moments. Nobody expects we'll get into the matches that steal the show, the storylines that explode and those oh my God, did that just happen moments that make SummerSlam legendary. Don't miss it. Listen to Wrestling with Freddy as part of the My Cultura Podcast Network. Find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [24:46]
Unknown Speaker
Check out behind the Flow, a podcast documentary series following the launch of San Diego Football Club. We go behind the scenes and explore the stories of those involved.
- [24:58]
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John Middlecoff
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Unknown Speaker
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- [25:34]
Listen to San Diego FC behind the Flow now on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [25:51]
John Middlecoff
I. I did want to do some. Some gambling. We. We haven't talked much about this upcoming season in terms of odds, obviously we'll talk about week one and definitely the college football week one. I've already looked at that slate. I'm pretty excited about three or four of the games, but I thought some future stuff, whether it's, you know, rookie of the year, defensive player of the year, MVP over unders, we'll get into. But today I was looking at. This is why I love to gamble. I mean, I saw a story today that just excited me. We'll get into that after we do this. But it's like I love gambling so much and I did this last year and I was talked out of the Chargers and of course they made the playoffs. You get them 4 to 1. Hell, the Broncos were like 8 to 1 to make the playoffs. So you can get some pretty tasty odds in August on teams if you like them, either to make the playoffs or to win the division. And one team that I think is a lock, like sometimes you don't get good odds. Like for 20 years, the Patriots, you are getting good odds. The Chiefs play in the toughest division in football, and they're the only team out of the Ravens, Bills that have plus odds. But still, it's like the Chiefs win it every year. Their odds are plus 150 right now. You know, the Ravens, I think were like minus 200. And the bills, who have won it like six straight years now are you got to bet like $330 to win 100. So it's like, yeah, I'm not betting on those. I do think the Houston Texans, who are clearly the best team in that division, who have won this division two years in a row with CJ and d' Amico as head coach and quarterback, they have a chance right there with Denver to have one of, if not the best defense in the NFL. You would think that offensively they were clearly out of whack last year. The offensive line was terrible. The play calling was awful. That they can flip it around a little bit and just have. Have more cohesion on offense and just have a better ebb and flow to their play calling. Because as the season went on, you're watching like, what is Bobby Slowik doing? And what he was doing was getting ready to get fired. And that's what happened. But I think the Houston Texans at +110, like, there is a few locks right Especially in the afc like the Chiefs, let's face it. I mean, it got a little harder last year. Even though they won 15 games, they're going to have a year and they might go on a 15 year run, right? Assuming Andy's healthy and can coach that they could have another six, seven years of winning at a high level. One of those years they might not win the division. Happened to the happen of the Patriots the year Tom Brady got hurt, they still won 11 games. They lost the division. One year you could win 12 and a team in your division wins 13. It could happen, right? To me, the Ravens, like, it's not crazy. If everything went right for the Bengals and they had another incredible offensive year, maybe they could win 12. Assuming Trey comes back. Everything works, right in the Steelers. The defense is unreal. You win 11, 12 games like it's foreseeable. The Bills, like, no chance. They don't win. That would be the biggest shocking probably in the league. Like the Bills feel like a lock to win the division. I just look at the Houston Texans and I go, the Indianapolis Colts today put out that it's Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones at quarterback. Anytime you want to be a playoff team and you have to put two guys with or in the middle as your starting quarterback, I'm out. Now you guys know where I stand. I think Daniel Jones is going to end up being the starting quarterback, but, you know, at the end of the day, they'll probably both end up playing throughout the year. I think the Colts, you know, got some issues. The Titans, who I actually think are going to be better because defensively that's pretty solid. Their quarterback situation could not have been any worse last year. I mean, Will Levis knew that he was probably about to get cut and it was like, oh yeah, cut my, Cut my shoulder. Because who gets surgery right before training camp? Little weird situation there. But the Titans are going to be improved just because I actually think Cam Ward is going to be pretty solid NFL player. But they're not sniffing the division championship. And the Jags are the Jacks. Like, on paper, they don't look that terrible. Travis Hunter's playing both ways. Can Liam Cohen resurrect Trevor Lawrence? Defensively, they got some pieces on the defensive line, but I just don't see how the Texans don't win this division for a third time. Plus 110. Love that. I would say, speaking of the Chiefs, I've been, I've bet against them just based on like, oh, this is the year. You know, two years ago, the Ravens Were going to beat him, the Niners in the playoffs last year. It's like, oh, this is the year the, the Bills take them down, right? And it hasn't happened, right? Hell, then I take them in the super bowl and they get blown out. One of these year. I think the Chiefs are going to be good, but like you get the Broncos, like, I just think there's value here. Denver last year went three and three in the division and if it wasn't for a block field goal, they would have beat the Chiefs and they would have gone 4 and 2. They went 6 and 2 at home, which obviously mile high. The elevation is a advantage for them and they have an elite defense as we know. The coach loves the quarterback. I just think there's value there at plus 300 and I think I'm going to put a, just a chunk of change on there. They're not, I'm not putting them on the same tier as the Houston Texans, who feel like a lock. But I do think there's value with the Denver Broncos who we might look up by mid season. They're one of the best teams in the league. You guys know where I stand when it comes to the NFC North. I'm taking the packers to win this division. I think, listen, Minnesota's roster is awesome. Their coaching staff's really good. We know nothing about their quarterback. And if it turns out he's just average at best, maybe a little bit below that can derail a season. Like if you, it impacts the way you call plays and then if he's off, it puts so much pressure on the defense to be perfect. Never forget last year, early in the season when they came out the gates swinging, they were up like 28 to nothing. 28 to nothing before you'd even blink. I remember two of their first three games of the season were against the Texans and the 49ers and they just beat the shit out of him. And Darnold's making these incredible throws. He hit this bomb against the Niners. I remember they killed the Texans, like, God, how good is this team? But a huge reason was the quarterback, right? Because when your quarterback's making plays, everything builds off that. Their defense was humming. Now, roster wise, they're better this year than they were last year. But their quarterback threw 35 touchdowns. The Bears. I don't even know if the head coach likes the quarterback. And then the Lions. I'm not overreacting to the hall of Fame game. I know Coward thinks the coordinator changes, right? He judged the third stringers, but like, they do have two pretty big coordinator changes in Johnny Morton. You know, for a guy that Dan Campbell loves and Jon Gruden loves and Sean Payton loves, why wasn't this guy a more dominant offensive coordinator throughout, you know, the course of his career? This is a guy. It's not like he's 30 years old. I mean, this is a guy in his mid-50s. And then defensively, like, losing Aaron Glenn is a real thing. He was easily one of the best defensive coordinators of the last four or five years. Like, you would put him on a tier with like a Fangio, a sala, a D', amico, Ryan's, Mike McDonald, like, he was big time. And there's just going to be a drop off most guys at defensive coordinator. To me, it's easier to find offensive coordinators, right? Not saying that every offensive coordinator is going to be good. We see a lot of guys flame out. But if you've studied long enough with the right people and just the instincts of calling play, especially if you're a former quarterback, you know, former skill guy, just kind of comes naturally to you. Defensively, it's twofold. One, you need the talent on that side of the ball, and two, you, like, have to be pretty smart, so you can't. It's not just. It's like, you know, on offense, it's very cerebral. You don't have to be a super tough guy if you're an offensive coordinator. That's why we've seen some of these quarterbacks, like, Andy Reid's an outlier. He's a former offensive lineman. Most guys are former quarterbacks. And I would say quarterbacks aren't like the toughest guy in the room. But defensively, you kind of got to be a tough motherfucker, right? But you also got to be really cerebral. Like, yeah, Vic Fangio, when you listen to him talk, like, pretty old school, pretty gruff, but he's brilliant and he knows his defense inside and out. So, like, is there going to be a drop off on defense? They were winning games last year on defense. With me and you playing linebacker and DB and defensive line. I don't know if there's a margin for error losing Aaron Glenn like that. So I just think there's a lot of question marks in division that has a ton of talent in Green Bay, plus 250, like, I'm taking. And then I think the best value in the entire league is this Seattle at 5 to 1. I think sometimes the Rams are discussed like they're the Eagles or the Chiefs. They won 10 games last year. And listen, they played the Eagles better than any team in the playoffs. They had them on the ropes and it felt like they were driving to win the game. I mean technically they literally were and they were hot at the end of the season. But I think we talk about them like they're a 1415 win team. One currently their quarterback is week to week with a back injury and we're talking three plus weeks now and no end in sight. And if they got to play Jimmy Garoppolo, if they've been winning 10 games with the 37, 36, 38 year old Matt Stafford, they're not winning 10 games with Jimmy Garoppolo. I don't care how much Sean McVeigh gases him up. The 49ers, who I still think are pretty valuable and they are the favorite to win the division, got a lot of question marks. One, they just had to cut a kicker today because they're in a, they were in a kicking competition but they needed the roster spot because they have so many injuries at training camp. Their team is not as deep as it was in years past. They had to let a lot of guys go. They're going to be very dependent on young rookies which listen, rookies going to have a good game, rookies can have a good month, but most rookies, even guys that go on to be hall of Famers, don't have great rookie seasons. And then the Cardinals, like I know they're getting a lot of like underground. They're like this hipster pick right now is like the Cardinals. I'm just not picking a team with Kyler Murray as our starting quarterback to win the division. The Seattle Seahawks went 107 last year. They had the same record as the Rams. They were the best play of Sam Darnold's career when he threw the game winning touchdown against them in Seattle. From winning 11 and just winning the division. The thing that jumps out to me is they went three and six at home. They were not very good at home. Well, I would say like this Seattle team, there's going to be a lot of buzz coming into the season. I'd imagine at worst they're going to be four and four at home. Honestly they should win five or six games at home because of the schedule this year and the teams that the NFC west plays, the two south divisions, pretty big advantage. They had an excellent draft. Sam Darnold, like even if he's not the version that we saw in Minnesota guy just chucking touchdowns to Justin Jefferson, throw 35 touchdowns why can't he throw 27? He. Clint Kuby X, the offensive coordinator. They're going to run the Shanahan system. He already knows it. They got some good pieces on offense. I'm not saying this is. I think the Texans are going to win the division. I think the packers are going to win the division. I think Denver. There's just value there. I wouldn't bet my life savings on it. I think this is by far the best value on the board and worth taking a flyer because I think there's just so many question marks. Arizona is just a yearly question mark. The 49ers, I mean, are they going to. What are they going to look like by the time the season comes around from an injury standpoint? And the Rams fucking quarterback can't even practice. It's not one of those, like, hey, we're just giving him some rest. His back hurts and he's already old. And let's face it, for a guy 30, 36, 37 years old, he's pretty weathered given how many hits he take. And I love the guy, but if he's going to be missing games, like, I'm just not buying into them with Jimmy Garoppolo. And speaking of, I love gambling. It's one of the greatest stories I've ever seen, because the balls it would take and the belief in what you're doing would. It's second to none. And I'm a huge believer in betting on yourself. And, you know, your gut and your instincts in life have to carry you sometimes in big decisions. I know some of you are very. Try to be very objective and break things down. Just try to quantify everything. I'm a big instincts and gut guy, so I've made decisions before based on gut. I'm not saying it's always going to work, but to me, it tends to lead you in the right way. This AI. I can't even speak. Artificial intelligence arms race is insane. I mean, Mark Zuckerberg is paying people, stealing them from other companies and paying them like they're Luka or Giannis or Steph Curry. He's paying people hundreds of millions of dollars. People in their late 20s, early mid-30s, like, they're NBA players. He's given them $250 million contracts. I saw this tweet today that just blew my mind that Zuckerberg offered this guy to be the head CEO of this crew that he's built. $1.5 billion. He's trying to build the AI dream team, and he wanted this guy to be his lead dog. He offered Andrew Tullock, an ex meta and top tier talent, a four year contract that included salary equity bonuses that totaled around $1.5 billion. You know what Andrew said? He said no, because he owns 3.75% of his own AI startup, Thinking Machines. I mean, that's got like, you know, some sci fi movie written all over it. But if valuations keep bumping, the thought is that it's a potential three plus billion dollar payday for this guy. Here's the thing. Zuckerberg's offer, get in the know. He needs this to survive, this Andrew character, until his own company, ipos, and there's no guarantee. And listen, everyone in the finance world thinks this AI bubble is going to go on for a while. And it's not even a bubble, it's a real thing. I've known people in the alcohol industry that I had a buddy telling me a story like last year, it was actually at my wedding, about some of these craft breweries that, you know, years ago, within the last five, 10, 15 years, were the apple of everyone's eye. And these big, you know, Budweiser, Coors Light or Miller Coors, like the big dogs, would pay 50, 80, 100, $200 million for these little guys and they would sell out and they'd become really rich and it was awesome. And then there was a line when beer wasn't selling at the same rate and craft breweries weren't valued at the same way. And some people that turned down valuations of $75 million, thinking that within a year they would get $180 million a year, came and they were told, we don't want to buy your business. And your business is now trending in the wrong way. And you got either going out of business written all over you or just kind of surviving on a yearly basis written all over you. So listen, I commend this cat takes balls. It takes stones to turn down. A lot of human beings over the course of their life will say no when it comes to money. It's like, hey, this, this new job, I'm making 125k, you're offering me 160k, but I gotta move, I don't want to do it. Athletes do it. People do it all the time. But $1.5 billion to say no on the fact that your thing is going to hit. You talk about belief. You think Sean Payton believes in Bo Nix? This guy believes. I mean, he couldn't believe anymore because to turn down that type money for your contract it's not like tying my entire life in four years. It even fails I'm filthy rich so you gotta commend him for I guess, having stones and a belief in his own company.
- [41:59]
Unknown Democratic Representative
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- [42:59]
Unknown Speaker
So in the last month, the Midas Touch Network beat Rogan, Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Charlie Kirk and Ben Shapiro all.
- [43:06]
Katie Couric
Combined Conservative podcasts can have a major political impact, but the Meisellis brothers, three siblings with a serious media strategy, are building an alternative to that. On the latest episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, I sat down with the brothers behind the Midas Touch Network to talk about how they built a progressive media powerhouse from the ground up, why audience interaction is the key to political influence, and what it takes to fight disinformation at scale. One download at a time.
- [43:38]
Unknown Speaker
We should be focusing on the issues that actually occupy a lot of the mental space in Americans minds but are filled with conspiracies and we should fill it with the truth and solutions.
- [43:50]
Katie Couric
Listen to Next Question with me, Katie Couric on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [43:58]
Freddie Prinze Jr.
It's the biggest party of the summer. WWE SummerSlam is here and wrestling with Freddy is all over it. We're talking wild matches, big surprises, and our boldest predictions yet. From celebrity showdowns to the chaos inside a steel cage, we're breaking down every match and calling who we think walks out on top. This card is loaded from Cody Rhodes, John Cena, Rhea Ripley and Tiffy, just to name a few. This lineup is ready to tear down the house. We'll give you our Unfiltered takes, honest debates, and you already know a ton of laughs along the way. We're covering the upsets, the wild returns and the championship moments. Nobody expects we'll get into the matches that steal the show, the storylines that explode and those oh my God, did that just happen moments that make SummerSlam legendary. Don't miss it. Listen to Wrestling with Freddie as part of the Michael Tura Podcast Network. Find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [44:51]
Unknown Speaker
Check out behind the Flow, a podcast documentary series following the launch of San Diego Football Club. We go behind the scenes and explore the stories of those involved.
- [45:04]
San Diego coming to MLS is going to be a game changer because this region has been hungry for a men's professional soccer team.
- [45:11]
John Middlecoff
We need veteran players and we need young players. Like you're building a team from scratch and so the succession plan of long term success needs to be defined. We need to embrace this community.
- [45:22]
Unknown Speaker
When I was 13 team my uncle took me to a qualifier and we watched Paraguay against Chile pouring rain. Just watching the fans jumping up and down, I think that was definitely a watershed moment for me. Not only was that going to be my game, but it was going to be my life.
- [45:39]
Listen to San Diego FC behind the Flow now on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [45:57]
John Middlecoff
Okay, let's do a little mailbag at John Middlecoff. John Middlecoff is the Instagram fire in those dms. Get your questions answered here on the show. Here's the thing, we're gonna go rapid fire because I got a lot trying to get to everyone. I know I'm still missing a lot, but I'm really trying. I really am. So if I've left you out, either re hit me back up or keep firing in there. Question for the bag. If you were starting a franchise today, who are the guys you would take over? CJ the point of this is the future. So considerations keeping guys like Stafford out next five to seven years. Well, I don't think the top four changes right Mahomes, Allen, Burrow and Lamar. Are you just their locks to be the first four guys taken. Then I think you start having conversations. I think last year I had him as my fifth quarterback. I had him above Herbert. You know Jared Goff was coming off a really, really good year. You know Dak Jalen, he was. I just had him above all those guys. And then Jaden Daniels appeared. So I would say right now, again, we have more cj Stroud information. I would take Jaden, but I think then you could have the conversation of him for the next five to seven years in the mix of all these guys, like Eagles fans. Like, you take a Jalen hurts like, yeah, I've seen Jalen play excellent in the Super Bowl. Like, can he throw from within the pocket for the next five years? I mean, that's a question mark. It's why he gets argued over all the time. What's Brock Purdy going to look like with all these randos? How's Jared Goff going to do without his offensive coordinator? Dak, what the hell is going on there? Right, So I think he's somewhere between six and seven would come off the board. I think he's a lock to be a top 10 off the board. And I think he's probably either six or seven, depending on who you talk to. Did you see Jerry Jones said to the media that he offered Micah Parsons Almost 200 mil guaranteed? There's no way that's the case. Right. Question for the pot, Jerry. I said this to Colin yesterday. I really think he's starting to lose it. I mean, hearing him talk, think he's rambling on. Listen, Jerry's always had the gift of gab. He's a salesman. He's an elite salesman in his heyday. I think his heyday's over. If he was an athlete, he would get cut, right? If he was an artist, he would not be putting out any number one hits. If he was a chef, his restaurant would probably be going under. It's like, you watch him talk, you're like, jerry, how is this guy still so active here in front of the mic? Loves it. Which, listen, I do each his own. It's. Some guys don't like it, some guys like it. He's definitely not turned it off in his mid-80s, but I think everything coming out of his mouth, it's getting really bad. There's no disputing it. He hired Brian Schottenheimer to be his head Coach. Saw Coward 1 on a rant about his backward visor. Big Vikes fans, you and Colin are my guys, but all I hear is the J.J. mcCarthy reservations. While I understand some, I think everyone forgets that the organization said no to Aaron Bleeping Rodgers, who wanted Minnesota and said he would play for 5 to 10 million dollars. Doesn't that speak volumes to the belief they have in jj? We have a ready now super bowl contending team. I agree. Yet the Vikes brass says we're rolling with JJ over Rogers I feel like that's forgotten. Not discussed enough. Wouldn't that manipulate the thoughts and reservations about him from you guys, the media? Well, I think a lot of people look at Rogers last year like it's over. I don't want to be in business with this circus. Right. He, if it starts going weird, he goes on McAfee and starts turning on me. He's not playing nearly at the same level. I know he can still spin it, but he doesn't move as well. And the conversation wasn't just to sign Aaron Rodgers because I think week one Aaron Rodgers a better player in J.J. mcCarthy. Even if J.J. mcCarthy is good, right. He's just veteran. He's just going to be better immediately. The circus he brings in and the attention, also the what it does to jj. It's like this could derail any chance he's ever good. Right. I mean there's a huge risk. There are variables signing Rogers that are different than, you know, signing other quarterbacks. Right. So I think it's more than just a belief in jj. It's just did we want to be in the Aaron Rodgers business? Think of the last couple quarterbacks, Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold. Pretty low key quarterback operation, right? Even JJ is good or bad. Like he's kind of a low key, high level cat. Not that Aaron's not, I mean all Kumbaya right now in Pittsburgh, but he's probably the most famous guy now that Brady's retired in the NFL. Right. I guess Travis with Taylor Swift would be near the top and Mahomes, but so the hoopla of his fame, it's hard to be really famous. Like what? Also if Aaron shot, can you bench him in week six for jj? So all that stuff is discussed when they said no to him. So I think it's more than just they think JJ McCarthy is better than Aaron because I don't think it's just that simple. But I hear what you're saying and listen, here's a simple reality. When it comes to JJ McCarthy more specifically than any other quarterback, we have no clue, absolutely none, how it's going to go. None. Like I think I got a pretty good idea how Caleb Williams plays. I've been watching Caleb play for like three straight years. He's kind of always played the same. So I'll be a little stunned if he plays differently. But I think I have a pretty good idea what I'm going to get right. Like I kind of know what I'm going to get with Bo Nix. I'd say I Don't quite know with with Drake May and Josh McDaniels. Let's see with that offense. I know what Michael Pennix looks like. I've seen him sling that that pill for years at Washington. I got no clue what JJ is going to look like. Passing offense. Well, he's never played in a passing offense. How's that going to work? What expectations do you have for DK in Pittsburgh? They made the trade and gave him a ton of money, but he really hasn't matched come close to to his best season which was 2020 with the aging Rogers new system. Will he have a good year? Do you expect this is a good question because you can probably get him a little bit as a fantasy sleeper. I think the last couple years for him now he's been a little banged up but I think the first three years, I don't know if no one had more touchdowns in NFL history, but he's right near the top. His first three year production from a touchdown standpoint was 7, 10, 12. So he had 29 touchdowns through his first three seasons and did not miss a game. 19, 20 and 21. 20, 22, he had a good year. He had 90 catches, six touchdowns, but a thousand yards. Last year was weird. Now he got banged up. 66 catches, five touchdowns. I think they would take the 23 season where he was a full time, you know, he didn't miss a game. Well, I guess they were they playing 17 games in 23. I think they were. So maybe missed one game. He had 66 catches and eight touchdowns and averaged almost 17 yards to catch. Would they sign up for that right now? 16 games, 66 catches, 17 yards of catch and eight touchdowns. I think they would. I think in a perfect world they probably like the catches to be closer to 80, but I think 17 yards of catch and eight touchdowns and playing basically every game. I think that's what they're shooting for because last year he averaged less than 2 yards. You know, 23 was his highest yards per catch. Like you want him to be an explosive down the field guy. And if you think about Rogers best wide receivers over the course of his career, you know Jordy Devonte, they were not players like DK Metcalf. When does he ever played? You know Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Garrett Wilson. He's never really had, I mean DK doesn't really exist throughout the history of the league, but it'll be interesting to see how it works. But I think they would sign up right now for eight, nine touchdowns. Given Trayvon Diggs Growing off the field issues like his recent injury from messing around the 500k fine for not using the Cowboys trainer and him inserting himself into the Micah Parson negotiations. What do you think the Cowboys could realistically get in return for him? We signed a huge contract, right? What year are we now? 25. Was that two years ago? And then he tore his ACL. I haven't broke down the film because they were so bad last year, but I don't think you're getting a lot for him given that he makes a lot of money. Everything that happened, I think, yeah, I don't know. My guess is not. It's not worth trading him unless he becomes such a big headache. I also think chiming in on Micah Parsons, like, I don't think the front office cares that they want your teammates to back up your teammates. So like cd, Lamb Dak, those guys supported him. I don't think that's that weird. I think the other stuff with them being mad at him for the leadership stuff, not using the facility in the off season, when they talk to him about leadership, like that's on the Cowboys. Like, you know this guy, you pay this guy and then did he change? Was he always like this before? I think the Cowboys have just become such a zoo. You got DEZ Bryant arguing with. It's not the Cowboys fault necessarily, but DEZ Bryant inserts himself with the Jerry Jones comments. And then Nicki Minaj starts talking about people beating other people's moms. Like, what the fuck is going on here? Why is Joe Gibbs never brought up in the discussion of all time greatest coaches? He won three Super Bowls, which is tied for third all time with three different starting quarterbacks, none of which were hall of Famers. All the other coaches in this conversation had hall of Fame quarterbacks. The goat coach is certainly up for debate. This is one of those, like, if you wanted to argue, like how good mean Joe Green was or Kenny Stabler or Bill Russell or Jerry West. Little before my time. It's hard for me to feel great. Like, how great of a player was Howie Long? I don't know. I never saw him play. My Howie Long experience was the John Travolta. I forget the movie, what it was called, but it was really good. It was in like the desert in Grand Canyon. It's a thriller in the action movie in the mid-90s. But that's like, God, how. He's a pretty good looking guy. What the hell is that movie called off to think of it later. My point is arguing over Joe Gibbs like I never watched him coach. So it's hard for me to go, ah, Joe Gibbs versus Chuck Noel versus, I don't know, clearly pretty impressive guy. I mean, went to run nascar, has, has very, very teams. But you're right, he never gets talked about. I have. I can't answer that question. As a Giants fan, I can't help but admire this stability of the Green Bay packers organization and the solid job that LaFleur has done. But do you think the packers once again don't make a deep playoff run? LaFleur might be in danger of gaining the Kyle Shanahan reputation. Creative play caller who can't get over the line. Well, every coach until they win a Super bowl is a guy that can't get it done when it matters most. I mean, no one holds that more right now than Kyle, right? Marty Schottenheimer held it for a long time. Then Andy Reid held, went from Marty to Andy to now Kyle. Now the difference, you know, Marty passed and never won a Super Bowl. Andy didn't just get over the hump, he became a freaking legend. You know, I would bet now does it happen in San Francisco? If Kyle's going to coach 20 plus more years, he's going to win a Super bowl, right? LaFleur still is like has a little while to go before you get to that point, I would say. But it's a big year from for the floor. It really is. Kevin o' Connell is often talked about as one of the top ocs and Brian Flores gets similar praise on the defensive side, but I don't really see it. O' Connell's 0 and 2 in the playoffs and lost last year's Week 18 game against the Lions with a division on the line. The Vikings were favored in all three of those games. His play calling is extremely pass heavy. His reluctance to run the ball has felt like it's a major hole on the other side. Flores defense looks incredible against the average and bad teams, but the moment they face a top offense with a good quarterback, they often get lit up. Just look at how many points they've given up to teams like the Packers, Lions and Rams or any of the top tier teams the last two years. I don't see any performances that stand out as impressive defensively. So why are they still, why do they still get so much credit as one of the best coaching duos in the NFL. Well, two years ago they punked the Niners when the Niners went to the super bowl on Monday Night Football on defense and Brock Purdy said After like I didn't even know what I was looking at. So I think Brian Flores is pretty good. I think he's widely considered. I'd say as we sit here right now, Vic Fangio gets the universal praise as the best non head coach. Defensive coordinator Mike McDonald, if he was in that situation, would be right there too. Right. But he's a head coach, defensive coordinator, but elite defensive minds. I think Flores is easily a top three or four defensive coordinator in the league. Robert Salas probably up there too. I think Dennis Allen's pretty good too. I mean, there are some excellent defensive coordinators and Flores is elite. I'm with you on Kevin o'. Connell. He's an impressive guy. He looks the part. Former quarterback, well spoken. I mean, like drawn up in a lab to be a head coach. But I've seen him in the biggest moments not be able to pivot because he's not like the Shanahan Tree. He never coached under Kyle, but he kind of because of McVeigh. McVeigh is a lot different than LaFleur then Kyle, than even Mike McDaniel. Those guys love running the ball. Sean McVay wants to pass. Kevin O' Connell is like Sean. The difference is Sean will pivot in game if he has to. Sean's a great adjuster. I can't remember the Giants game three years ago when they lost to fucking Daniel Jones at home. That's a horrendous loss last year, you know, to lose the Lions game and to lose the. Who'd they play? Oh, the Rams game in Arizona. Your offensive line is decimated with injuries. Your quarterback early on looks a little rattled. The easiest way to settle the game down. I understand when you're down 35 to 7, you're not going to call runs, but early on the game you can settle the game down, but former quarterback likes to chuck it. And then everyone's like, oh, it's Sam Darnold's the idiot. No one was critical of Kevin o' Connell last year. I felt like I was the only guy that talks for a living, that even brought it up beside, if you like a local guy or a fan, like every national guy's like, Kevin o' Connell can do no wrong. Well, I don't know. Can he win a playoff game first? Yet he's compared to like Kyle and McVeigh. Matt LaFleur went on the road and won a playoff game. Wake me up when Kevin o' Connell wins a playoff game. He's been favored in, like you said, both the playoff games. Three years ago, he lost to a 9 and 8 Giants team that is one of the least talented teams to win a playoff game in recent memory. Because even if you wanted to say that about the Washington commanders last year, their quarterback was like having one of the great years rookies ever had. Daniel Jones through 15 touchdowns. So I'm with you again. I like him. He's a good coach, but he gets talked about like he's second coming of Bill Walsh. Question for the bag. What was your reaction when you became a scout for the Eagles? Could you believe that you were technically in the NFL when you got fired? Did you try to get another scouting gig, or would you if a team called? I would say I was pretty thrilled. I mean, I had paid for my flight to interview. Typically, like, once you get in the league and you're interviewing with other people, they fly you out, they put you up. In 2010, when I was a GA and I got hired in Philly, I paid for my flight out there. I paid for my hotel, which was in the hood and was basically like a prostitution ring being run out of there. But, you know, I had to pay for it. And I'm, you know, 24, 25 years old. I don't have any money. So I get the cheapest flight possible. I get the cheapest hotel room possible, and I got the job on the spot. And it was pretty exciting. It was pretty cool, not gonna lie. But, you know, getting offered 22 grand, no health insurance, I was doing, like, cartwheels down the street. I went out, had some cocktails, and had dinner somewhere in South Philly. I don't know. It was cool. It was exciting time in a young man's life. It was. Yeah, it was really cool. It was awesome. For anyone that people at Fresno State that helped me get there, my family, it was cool When I got fired, I did try, but I just didn't know that many people in the NFL, you know? Now, like, looking back, I got friends all over the place. I know way more people sitting in my chair now than I did then. I wouldn't. I mean, I'm not never. This is what I do for a living. But I kind of tried. I mean, I called around, but didn't work out at the time. I mean, it worked out big picture for me. You start looking in the mirror, you go, I graduated college with, you know, an ag business kind of degree. Then I get a master's degree in, like, sports management or something. I got multiple degrees. I've only worked in football at Fresno State and in the NFL, and then you get fired. Even if I wanted to pivot, I'm like, how could I walk into a job if I wanted just, like, a more normal job, like, to sell insurance or go work at Facebook or, I don't know, go work at bank of America. It's like, what have you been doing? It's like, yeah, I've been evaluating the practice squad of the Green Bay packers and the Arizona Cardinals. Like, do you know anything about interest rates? No, but I really have a good feel for the backup guard situation for the New England Patriots. You know, it's like, oh, you want to talk about. There's a couple young sophomores at the University of Washington I think we should keep an eye on to hire here at the bank. No. Linebacker and tight end. I think they got a bright future. You start thinking you're like, my skills and what I've learned, and I feel pretty confident in those skills. And if I would have got. If someone would have hired a young John when he was down and out back in the league, I would have been equipped to handle whatever role I'd worked in house, I'd worked on the road. But if I had gone and tried to get a normal job outside of football, I didn't have any skills. I remember, you know, you're just kind of desperate because you're, like, 28, 29 years old. You don't really know what to do at the time, especially the first couple months. And I started calling. I had met Joe Lacob son Kirk, who now is, like, the assistant GM of the Warriors. And I remember reaching out to him. I'm like, hey, you guys have any opportunities? I'm like. And looking back, like, what would I have done with the Warriors? Now, granted, if they would have hired me, I would have been part of the dynasty. Maybe I would have been one of the most unique sporting careers. Worked in the NBA, worked at the NFL. He was like, no, we don't really have anything. I don't even know what. What I would have brought to the table. Hey, you want to talk USC football? But then I just got a job in radio and kind of never looked back. Sometimes, though, you realize, like, let's say it all ended tomorrow. Like, there's podcasts and sports talk just stopped, and I couldn't do it. Starting tomorrow, August 5th, I could not do anything under that umbrella. What would I do? I mean, if I wanted to create a business, if I wanted to go interview places, like, what are my skills? Talk football. Like, talk I can sell. I mean, I I am essentially a salesman, but like everything I've done has mainly been related to football. Or I could break down like Cam Young's win yesterday on the PGA Tour set a record made $19.1 million before his first win. Tommy Fleetwood will break that record if he ever wins, but he might not. But these are the type of conversations that I would have at like, you know, I don't know, some real estate firm.
- [66:56]
Unknown Democratic Representative
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- [67:55]
Unknown Speaker
So in the last month, the Midas Touch Network beat Rogan, Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Charlie Kirk and Ben Shapiro all combined.
- [68:04]
Katie Couric
Conservative podcasts can have a major political impact, but the Meisellis brothers, three siblings with a serious media strategy, are building an alternative to that. On the latest episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, I sat down with the brothers behind the Midas Touch Network to talk about how they built a progressive media powerhouse from the ground up, why audience interaction is the key to political influence, and what it takes to fight disinformation at scale. One download at a time.
- [68:35]
Unknown Speaker
We should be focusing on the issues that actually occupy a lot of the mental space in Americans minds but are filled with conspiracies. And we should fill it with the truth and solutions.
- [68:47]
Katie Couric
Listen to Next Question with me, Katie Couric on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [68:55]
Freddie Prinze Jr.
It's the biggest party of the summer. WWE SummerSlam is here and wrestling with Freddie is all over it. We're talking wild matches, big surprises, and our boldest predictions yet. From celebrity showdowns to the chaos inside a steel cage, we're breaking down every match and calling who we think walks out on top this card is loaded from Cody Rhodes, John Cena, Rhea, Ripley and Tiffy, just to name a few. This lineup is ready to tear down the house. We'll give you our unfiltered takes, honest debates, and you already know, a ton of laughs along the way. We're covering the upsets, the wild returns and the championship moments. Nobody expects we'll get into the matches that steal the show, the storylines that explode, and those oh my God, did that just happen moments that make SummerSlam legendary. Don't miss it. Listen to Wrestling with Freddie as part of the Michael Tura Podcast Network. Find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [69:48]
Unknown Speaker
Check out behind the Flow, a podcast documentary series following the launch of San Diego Football Club. We go behind the scenes and explore the stories of those involved.
- [70:00]
San Diego coming to MLS is going to be a game changer because this region has been hungry for a men's professional soccer team.
- [70:07]
John Middlecoff
We need veteran players and we need young players. Like you're building a team from scratch and so the succession plan of long term success needs to be defined. We need to embrace this community.
- [70:19]
Unknown Speaker
When I was 13, my uncle took me to a qualifier and we watched Paraguay against Chile pouring rain. Just watching the fans jumping up and down, I think that was definitely a watershed moment for me. Not only was that going to be my game, but it was going to be my life.
- [70:36]
Listen to San Diego FC behind the flow now on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [70:54]
John Middlecoff
When scouting offensive or defensive linemen, does having a belly or super jacked play a factor in college or the NFL? Have you ever seen linemen that maybe didn't have the best physique but were super strong? Or linemen that were really jacked but easy to move? I think you're way less judgmental if the guy is a good player, what his body type is. If you have a belly like, you know, a noticeable, you're kind of flabby and you're not a good player or an average player, then you get discriminated against big time. But if you're just good, your body type, you know, some guys naturally are a little more cut up, some guys are bigger, some guys just fluctuate. You know, I'd imagine, I'm trying to think like every guy's body type's a little bit different. But you know, some people need that extra weight to help them anchor. I think if you're a really good player and a good athlete, having A quote unquote belly doesn't matter, especially for an offensive lineman. I think sometimes with the defensive lineman, it goes, hey, this guy could lose a little weight. Especially if I got a belly and you're playing at 330, it's like, hey, if you, if you cut 15 pounds, you would be that much more explosive. I saw Jordan Davis, the Eagles defensive lineman has, I think, dropped like £25 and looks good. So I think in people, one knock on him is he'd get out of shape and it would hurt his ability to play late in the games. So if you have a quote unquote belly and you're good and you're in shape, like it's. You just got to carry that weight to slow guys down. I can't think of, you know, some guys get big. You know, Trent can get big. I mean, he. Last year I thought when he showed up after holding out, he looked like he was £380. And now he might play at £340. But like him, like Jason Peters, some of these guys are just such physical freaks. They can be 330, 340 pounds and not look that fat. And some guys, like Lane Johnson's a good example. Joe Staley was like this. They look way more in shape when they're playing really well than quote, unquote fat. But I bet you know what's. Jason kelsey retired now240. Congrats on the wedding and the baby. Love the show. Wanted to ask two part question. Do you watch NFL Red Zone at all during an NFL season? Second question. What do you think of ESPN buying Red Zone? All my friends watch Red Zone and we love not having commercials. Just curious if you think Red Zone will change and have more commercials with ESPN as the owner. Well, typically my setup in. In this office, we actually might be moving offices here. Might be building one on the side of my house and then looking to have one just outside of the house as the family expands. So we can have a little separation between home and work, but I have to have multiple TVs and I typically throw up all the games, right? Especially now with YouTube TV, I can. I have a 60 inch TV and like a 50, 40 inch TV and I can have like six, seven games going. Now if we get to a number where I have an extra box, I will put on Red Zone, but I don't watch Red Zone like I would if I wasn't doing this. So I try to have all the actual games going on so I can, you know, especially the main ones. But they I have the sound, whatever the best or most important game is going on. So I never really have the red zone sound on. Now. I. Aren't there two separate, like DirecTV or the package, their red zone and whatever was on cable's red zone. So isn't there Scott Hansen and there's Andrew Siciliano. I feel like I've watched Scott Hansen forever. At least, you know, had him on the box. So, yeah, I mean, I'm not. I'm not against red zone at all. I just. For what I do, I can't focus on it as much what I use it for because it's usually a little delayed that if there's a touchdown or a big play, if I'm watching like six games at one time and like the Colts, Texans game and I missed it, then I look over in a minute later, Scott Hansen will throw to Jonathan Taylor going 70 yards. Right. I would not be as worried in the short term. Here's the thing. ESPN bought the NFL Network, which the NFL wanted out of business, right? The NFL is making so much money from football, they don't want them in on the media business. It's not lucrative enough for them to waste their time fucking with. That to me is as simple as it gets when it comes to why they're getting away from it. It wasn't financially worth it for them to be in the media business. But two, they get ownership in espn. So if you want to be in business with me as the NFL, even if you purchase something from me, like cbs, abc, NBC, when they purchase the league's product, play the games, the NFL still tells them what to do. Now, they can't totally tell you how to run your business, but if Roger Goodell and the powers that be like Scott Hansen running the red zone, he will continue to run the red zone. So my guess is Scott Hansen is at least safe for a little bit. There are some funny memes and stuff going around like how ESPN will have Kendrick Perkins or Stephen A. On there. I wouldn't be that worried, at least for a year or two. But yeah, I mean, you never say never when stuff like this happens. I do think you're safe for at least the foreseeable future because again, the NFL has equity in ESPN now, even though ESPN bought their properties. It's kind of a weird business transaction that still needs, like, government approval, which I'm sure will get taken care of. What are Your favorite, your three top TV series? I would say number one of all time is Sopranos, and I would say 1B is the Wire. I would say those are easily at the top. You know, a lot of people, I feel not even hipster, but I think it's. It's like you feel like you're smart if you say Mad Men. I'm pro John Hamm and I watched the majority of the show. I thought it was a little overrated. I would say Breaking Bad. Again, good. I think some people put it at the. Near the top of the mountain. It was solid. I think Sopranos and the Wire just in a completely different level for me. And there's nothing that I've watched and I've watched. I watched a lot of tv. Not proud to say I should be reading more, but there's not a major television show over the last 20 plus years a series that I have not watched. I'm watching a show right now called Hightown on Netflix. We're on season two. It's really good. It's. I'm not putting it with the Sopranos or the Wire or anything, but it's, it's, it's, it's pretty freaking good. There's another show.
- [78:26]
Unknown Speaker
That.
- [78:28]
John Middlecoff
I don't. What was the show called? This show became pretty toxic because Kevin Spacey got accused of some pretty heinous shit. But one of Netflix first big hits, House of Cards with Kevin Spacey. They tried that last season when he got canceled and he wasn't in it. The show was a joke. But I say the first three or four seasons of House of Cards were pretty special. I was always a sucker too for Dexter. Maybe it wouldn't age as well. Californication is another sleeper. I love that show. Back in the day with David Duchovny. Question for the bag. With all the NFL contract talk about Parsons talking about Jerry tried to do a backdoor deal without his agent. It got me thinking. Do you think players in the past have gotten paid a little something extra under the table to avoid hurting the cap? That is 100%. Your question has been talked about for decades and the answer is yes. Think about all the different industries we all work in and listen with. With technology it is. I couldn't walk into the Ferrari dealership and hand them $250,000 cash in a bag for a Ferrari, right? You're not allowed to do that. I couldn't knock on the door of a house and say, hey, I'll offer you $2.5 million. I have it in two. Briefcase. Like this isn't the 70s or the 80s, so there are levels in which you have to do stuff. But One thing that I think definitely happens is the team helps players get marketing deals, especially with their sponsors. So if you play for team whoever and you are a key player and I give you my bank who is a big sponsor of my airline, and they pay you money right now, you do stuff for them. But I facilitate that deal. I mean, people always said Tom Brady, the his. What was it called? TB12, his office was in the craft building across the street from Gillette. I mean, that to me is nothing. What's $5,000 rent a month for? But it's like who knows what. Robert Kraft, guess what it's called business. I do it too. But there's a difference of like, can I buy the guy a $10 million mansion in my community? Like, I don't think you can do stuff like that. But I think stock tips, business ventures. You know, I know the 49ers had a lot of guys invest into the soccer team internationally. Now it's above board. Like you can just be an investor in stuff. But yeah, I mean, I think a lot of shady stuff has happened over the years in all sports. I mean, the warriors have been funneling those guys deals forever. Question for you. I recently saw a clip of you and Colin Talking about top 10 quarterbacks of all time and noticed Breeze and Rogers getting left out for guys like Bradshawn Aikman. I don't think you saw my list because I do not include Troy Aikman and Terry Bradshaw in my top 10. Aaron Rodgers a better Trey. Aikman's more accomplished clearly than Aaron Rodgers. Aaron Rodgers better player. I can't even speak on Terry Bradshaw. He played before I was alive, but I would have Aaron Rodgers. You know, Drew Brees is unique. I mean, he's a first ballot hall of Famer, but he's a dome quarterback. So these guys that play outside in inclement weather like, like to me, Rogers is on a different tier than Drew Brees. Both some of the great quarterbacks of all time. But to me, Rogers is close to top five. Then Drew Brees is sneaking into the top 10. But I don't put Troy Aikman as top 10 quarterback. No shade in him. I just big commanders fan and season ticket holder. I think the take that Jaden will have a sophomore slump because CJ Stroud struggled at times last year after losing all three of his starting receivers is lazy analysis. I also think it's disrespectful of cj. I don't think it's about lazy analysis or anything. I think you just you got to be very careful that putting together elite careers like good players have a down year and early on in your career, the more information these defensive coordinators have on you, the more difficult it gets. I'm with you. I would be stunned if we look at the commanders and their offense feels like the Houston Texans did last year. But Terry McLaurin is a question mark. And I would say the more and more Cliff Kingsbury has coached, typically as the years have gone on, it happened in Arizona. Now, obviously Jaden I like more than Kyler, but like, has he adapted? Has he changed? You know, some of the stuff's out of Jaden's control now. When you throw, when you're that good in the pocket, when you throw that beautiful of a deep ball, when you have that ability to run. Yeah, I mean, I don't expect a fall off, but is he more likely to throw 28 touchdowns or 50 touchdowns? Football's hard. We see plenty of all time quarterbacks finish their careers on different teams. Brady to the Bucks, Peyton of the Broncos. Hypothetically, if you had to place a bet, which of the top which of these quarterbacks will end up leaving their current team first, Whether it be because the player or the organization decision, who would it be and why? Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson? I would say Patrick Mahomes. One million percent would not be. Would be dead last on the list of going to another team. Listen, you never say never like you said Peyton and Tom Brady. But it would have to get really, really ugly. I would say Lamar just because I think that's a good question. I don't know. But Josh Allen get hurt too. I'd probably go 1A Lamar, 1B Josh and then like at 25, Patrick Mahomes. I wouldn't include any of those three. I'd include Joe Burrow. I would say Joe Burrow. I mean, look what Carson Palmer once upon a time did I quit. So I would say Joe Burrow would be the guy over Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. I mean, LaMar Jackson won two MVPs and could have won his third last year. Josh Allen just won the MVP. These guys aren't going anywhere. It'd be Joe Burrow. Do you see Roger Goodell pulling an Adam Silver and forcing a star player to a great team? I say this because what would Joe Burrow look like with Sean McVay? Speaking of Joe Burrow.
- [85:24]
Sarah Spain
You know, a.
- [85:24]
John Middlecoff
Lot of people have said John conspiracy conspiracy theorist like you saying that Adam Silver forced Luca to the Lakers and then gave the Mavericks Cooper flag. The difference is the reason that conspiracy conspiracy theory was somewhat believable is because markets really matter. In the NBA, the NBA finals with Indiana and Oklahoma City for like a stretch of their three games, game two, game three, game four and game five. So really four games did like 2 million more views than the hall of Fame game. But if it had been Lakers, Knicks, they would have done 20 million people watching last year. The World Series, Dodgers, Yankees, what happened? Huge ratings. Baseball and basketball are very dependent on the markets and the superstar players. But the superstar players on the big markets, the NFL is unfazed. You can have Chiefs, Cardinals, and 100 million people are going to watch. Now if you, if you got Cowboys trying to think who's the biggest team in the afc, well, I mean technically it's cheap. It just doesn't matter. It just does not matter. Cowboys haven't made the conference championship game in 35 years and it has not mattered. 35 years. 30 years. It's a great question though. One on this saw the other day you were discussing what defines a war daddy and you mentioned Mahomes, Lamar Burrow, but leftoff hurts. By your definition, in what we've seen, he's proven to be just that. Yeah, I would include him. I can't list everybody all the time. I think a lot of these quarterbacks are really tough. I think most good quarterbacks are tough guys. It's hard to be a good quarterback and not be a tough guy. And Jalen is. I mean you can't be that good at the tush push and be that strong and not be a tough sob. So yes, I would say Jalen Hurst is a war daddy. But most good quarterbacks are going to be, you know, war daddies, right? Especially running quarterbacks. Lamar, Cam Newton, Michael Vick, Jalen Hurts. Listen, Kyler's not a wuss. Jaden Daniels, I think these guys, it's hard to be a good quarterback, especially if running is part of your repertoire and not be pretty dynamic with your physical toughness and mental toughness. So I would say yes, Jalen Hurts would fall into the category of war daddy.
- [87:57]
Unknown Speaker
The volume.
- [88:01]
John Middlecoff
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- [88:56]
Katie Couric
Latest episode of Next Question with Me, Katie Couric. I sat down with Jasmine Crockett, Democratic representative of Texas. She's holding down the fort for her party in one of the most conservative states in the union.
- [89:08]
Unknown Democratic Representative
I think that ultimately who will become the Democratic nominee for president will be someone that has been out there and has shown that they won't allow themselves to be punched and just say thank you like they will punch back.
- [89:22]
Katie Couric
Listen to Next Question with me, Katie Couric on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [89:30]
Freddie Prinze Jr.
We're breaking down SummerSlam, the biggest party of the summer on Wrestling With Freddie. From our bold picks to storyline breakdowns, we will discuss who walks out with gold, who shocks the night, and which matches steal the show we call the winners, the upsets and the chaos to expect. Plus whatever swerves nobody saw coming. Listen to Wrestling With Freddie as part of the Michael Tura Podcast Network, available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [89:57]
Sarah Spain
Get fired up, y'.
- [89:58]
John Middlecoff
All.
- [89:58]
Sarah Spain
Season 2 of Good Game with Sarah Spain is underway. We just welcomed one of my favorite, favorite people and incomparable soccer icon Megan Rapinoe to the show and we had a blast. Take a listen. Sue and I were like riding the lime bikes the other day and we're.
- [90:13]
John Middlecoff
Like, wee people ride bikes because it's fun.
- [90:18]
Sarah Spain
We got more incredible guests like Megan in store, plus news of the day and more. So make sure you listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Brought to you by Novartis, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports Network.
- [90:33]
John Middlecoff
This is an iHeart podcast.