Colin Coward (2:06)

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Colin Cowherd (2:21)

Thanks for listening to the Best of the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio and noon to 3 Eastern, 9am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd@foxsportsradio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. This is the Best of the Herd with Colin Cowher on Fox Sports Radio. Here we go on a Tuesday. Jobs being filled in the NFL Questions in Buffalo do they have the right coach? Live in Los Angeles on a Tuesday, it's the Herd. Wherever you may be, however you may be listening, thanks for making us part of your day. Greg Olson stops by today. Kyle Van Noy, Nick Wright in one hour from now. J Mac it's interesting. Now that they've stopped blaming the officials, Buffalo fans are now going closer inspection. Maybe Mahomes is great and our coach isn't, but I want to start with all the coaches that have been hired because I do think there are things that we learn year after year about coaching hires. Oh yeah, everything. So Pete Carroll yesterday introduced as the Raider coach. We'll get to that in a second. Here's what we know about head coaching hires. First of all, number one, I've made this mistake. Don't judge the opening press conference too harshly. Some of these young guys get to the podium without a game plan. They're nervous. Number two is organizations need different things. The Bears need creativity. The Jags have to solve Trevor Lawrence. The Raiders need an adult. The Cowboys need a lot of things. It feels like Jerry Jones just wanted a puppet. And the third thing is hiring good coordinators as your head coach is much like the NFL draft. I had dinner with an NFL GM last night and he said the draft ends up being once you get past the first round, it's a 5050 proposition. And that's why I thought Pete Carroll, Mike vrabel and Mike McCarthy were arguably the best hires. So if this morning I had to hand out a report card to all the teams. Now the Saints interviewed kellen Moore, Mike McCarthy. I don't know what they're going to do, but here's the grades I would hand out to the so far I think most teams have done pretty well. So Chicago with Ben Johnson, I'll give it an A minus because he's never been a coach so I can't give him an A to an A plus stays in the division. This is an old school defensive minded culture and they went out and hired the young, most creative offensive Guy from the same division. I think this is who they wanted. I think it's who Caleb Williams wanted. Reportedly, Caleb Williams went to his driveway and screamed. When they hire him, I'll give him an A. Minus the Cowboys. Brian Schottenheimer feels absolutely uninspiring. It's a D Friday. Late news dump is embarrassing again. The last time he was a hot coordinator was 12, 13, 14 years ago. You know, again, I think the Cowboys got caught flat footed. And this is what it looks like. I would say Liam Cohen for the Jaguars. B again. Did wonders with Baker Mayfield, but Baker Mayfield also is pretty talented. Made Will Levis a little better. You know, again, not a great opening press conference. What's his vision? Listen, we know he's a smart offensive guy, so it's the right side of the ball, but so is Shane Steichen in Indy, and that hasn't worked great so far. I'll give it a B. Aaron Glenn, jets hire another defensive coordinator. Don't love the staff I'm seeing put together so far. It may work. The players like him. But the players loved Antonio Pierce as an interim and a head coach for the Raiders. So what does that mean? I don't trust this organization upstairs. Aaron Glenn is fine. You know, we'll see. I think it's actually a good roster. He's kind of tap dancing, walking on eggshells around the Aaron Rodgers thing. I can't give it better than a C. I think Mike Vrabel's an A. This to me, was the best coach available on the market. He's got a winning record. He's a culture changer. Familiarity with the team. Most of these coordinators are a 50, 50 prop, but the guys that change cultures, the Harbaughs, the Vrabels, the Pete Carrolls, those. Those guys don't really fail. They may not win a trophy, but they don't fail. I thought this was a solid A higher. And I think the Raiders with Pete Carroll, a lot of people dogged him for his age. I do not worry about Pete Carroll's age and vitality. I think he looks fantastic for his age. I don't know. It just to me, they need an adult in the room. His last two years in Seattle, they had a winning record in the division with Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay like they. They were still winning football games. So here was Pete yesterday at his opening presser. It all starts with competition. I mean, either competing or you're not. There's one thing that I want them to understand and you know, start the message right now. If you want to be on a great team, you. You need to be a great teammate. So there you go. There are my grades. Vrabel, Pete Carroll, A's, Ben Johnson, and A minus. I think if I was the Saints, I would go Mike McCarthy, but he's sort of disappeared off the radar. Kellen Moore is interviewing for that job. We'll see how it goes. Kellen Moore feels like a B, B minus. Higher. Okay, so listen, whenever you lose to the Chiefs, it's always the ref's fault. And fan is short for fanatic. And now it's Tuesday and suddenly the articles are being more reasonable and acknowledging. Yeah, our coaches sort of got worked on big plays. So one of the articles this morning points to three different things that cost him. I agree with all three. Number one, so this is the fourth time Sean McDermott's had to go to the podium and answer for losing to the Chiefs. Okay, fourth time. And each time we've got these like situational questions about the offense. So number one, why didn't they use James Cook in the final drive? Totally agree. Said it six times yesterday, three and a half minutes left, had a monster game. Mistake. The second thing the article says, the reliance on quarterback sneaks. I beat that puppy yesterday for three hours. Didn't like it. Hasselbeck didn't like it. Drew Brees didn't like it. Nobody liked it. But number three is an interesting one. The Bills, the article said, did not help themselves by chasing points early and trying two point conversions when they trail 2116. That's driven me crazy for years. And I always say this, save your special for the right moment. And the reason this one I'm going to highlight the third one, stop chasing points. You don't go into a game with nine magical plays. Even Andy Reid will admit you got a couple. And Andy's much more creative than Joe Brady or Sean McDermott. But the play that closed the game for Kansas City was that snake route to Samaj P. Ryan. Only time he touched the ball the whole game. This was the one time. And Andy's been doing this for years. He has been the better poker player. And great poker players know when to bluff and go all in. And whereas the Bills telegraphed their early plays and gave their two point conversion plays away, that handful of special play. Why are you showing them first half? Why are you going second quarter save. You know the game's going to be close. What are you doing? The second thing is the Bears telegraphed their quarterback sneak. Apparently they had one play in the playbook and they were going to go to one side every time in the playbook. So you were. This is the nuance of great coaching. You telegraphed your two point conversion stuff early. You showed them. This is the stuff we think works against you instead of holding it like a great poker player. And both Andy Reid and Spags saved their most unique calls. Spags, corner blitz and Andy, the P. Ryan route. And Drew Brees talked about that play specifically in Andy Reid yesterday.

Greg Olson (10:28)

The Chiefs do that better than anybody in every, in every one of those situations. You can tell it's so well thought out. I mean it's, it's the Andy Reid special. Like we're going to get some kind of a man's own read. Like look what the play that sealed the game at the end when they threw it to Peter I in the flat. They motioned two guys over, gotten reset. You see that it's man to man. And then you run those guys across to set a natural pick on the backer and you seek the back out. We used to call it snake because it's impossible to cover for that guy. And so he just deals it to.

Colin Cowherd (10:57)

P R. On he goes.

Greg Olson (10:58)

He gets 15 yards. They win the game.

Colin Cowherd (11:01)

Touch the ball one time, they could have used that any point. They trailed at points. There was crisis moments in the game and he just kept that in his back pocket to the end. By the way, I don't think, I don't consider Doug Peterson an all time elite coach, but he knew when to call the Philly special. Doug's an offensive coach. Andy Reid's an offensive coach. I'm not anti defensive coach. I think Vrabel and Pete Carroll, I gave them my two A's. I am not anti defensive coach. But if you're trying to beat Mahomes and you have Josh Allen in your prime, you have got to be a better poker player. You have got to know when to bluff, got to know when to hold them, got to know when to fold them. And I think Andy Reed and Spags, you blame the refs once all the drama comes down and the emotion comes down. Now, now we're being grownups. Now we're having the grownup conversation. Now we're not blaming zebras. Now we're looking in a mirror. Nobody solves any problems. Pointing. Never been a problem solved. Pointing. It's called the mirror. You look into it. Spags, Andy Reid, y'all sat at a table on Sunday. Those were the two best poker players. J. Mac, I know it's painful. I know this is a very painful segment for you. This gets people worked up.

J. Mac (12:18)

You got me all fired up over here. First segment, I'm like, do I go after him for the Aaron Glenn see after he was hyping Aaron Glenn last week, or do I just say, goodness, you're nitpicking, McDermott. You know, what is it? Tuesday morning quarterback now.

Colin Cowherd (12:33)

Hey, he messed up here in the. Just, just reacting to what I thought was a very strong article pointing out the three deficiencies in these moments. Remember, you get into a big fight. You get it. This is not, this is not the World Series. It's not seven games. You get into a big UFC fight, a boxing match, March Madness, NFL playoffs. Everything counts because you don't get another chance. These are sudden death games. And in sudden death poker hands, this isn't a weekend tournament. It's the final poker hand.

J. Mac (13:05)

I would say that's a pessimistic view. An optimistic view would be, damn, they fell behind 2110 in Arrowhead Storm back to take the lead and then they got jobbed on the Kincaid first down and then Allen fourth down. Like, I mean, for them to come back and go 4 for 6 on fourth down, the touchdown pass to tie it. Yeah, with what, like six minutes left? Like I thought they played incredible. It was just three high leverage moments. Did not go.

Colin Cowherd (13:29)

They did fumble it four times.

J. Mac (13:31)

They recovered all of them magically.

Colin Cowherd (13:33)

Fumble.

J. Mac (13:34)

Luck, baby.

Colin Cowherd (13:35)

All right, Nick Wright next hour. Boy, the Pittsburgh Steelers, so stale. We'll talk about that. And that press conference yesterday in Dallas. That's. That's cringy, right? We all know that was cringy. You thought Friday's news dump was cringy? Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the iHeartRadio app. You can count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities big to small towns on America's largest 5G network. Switch the T Mobile keep your phone and they'll pay it off up to 800 bucks per line via prepaid card. Learn more@t mobile.com heap and switch up to four lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device credit service port in 90 plus days with device and eligible carrier and timely redemption required. Card has no cash access and expires in six months.

Colin Coward (14:40)

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Greg Olson (15:17)

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Colin Coward (15:18)

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Colin Cowherd (15:26)

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Greg Olson (18:25)

Right.

Colin Cowherd (18:25)

You know, in terms of, you know.

Greg Olson (18:27)

This drought that people say we're in.

Colin Cowherd (18:30)

In terms of a championship game or a Super Bowl. There's no air quotes for that. This is not some Alex Jones loony conspiracy theory. You have not been to the NFC championship in 29 years. This is not a Chris Farley, the late Chris Farley on Saturday Night Live. I don't own a toothbrush. It's not the bit you do air quotes when you're kind of rolling your eyes at the insistence of something that doesn't truly exist. You know, it's kind of a. Yeah, sure, yeah. Drought. Well, what do you call 29 years? This is an insult to droughts. Droughts usually end. This is three decades. You guys need a tropical storm. And then Jerry Jones, I think he was bragging about the higher. Or was he? Here's Jerry. If you don't think I can't operate out of my comfort zone, you're so wrong. It's unbelievable. This is as big a risk as you can take. No head coaching experience. Exactly, exactly. This organization, the Jones family, needs a rehab or an intervention or something. You're. You're air quoting drought yet 29 years. You know how long it's been since the Commanders, the lowly Commanders, have been in it a week, three days. The Lions, the Bears, the Panthers, the Falcons, all these organizations you look down at have been there recently. And one of the last ones was the Commanders. I don't think there's any question going forward, the Eagles and the Commanders will run this division. They may run the nfc, but the first step in solving a problem is admitting you have one. And the air quotes, and I'm thinking about this, generally speaking, and I think I fall into this. Fans and media tend to be positive, maybe overly optimistic with coaching hires. This is going to work. Everybody in New York today. Aaron Glenn is Belichick I get it. But the only other hire that I've ever seen that was viewed as ridiculous was David Culley to the Texans. And it lasted a year where he was a longtime assistant. Never really considered a head coaching candidate. Got the job, four wins, fired. Nice guy. But everybody knew yet this, this, even Freddy Kitchens had people going, hey, Baker likes him. I mean, Jim Toms, sula before his first press conference. Well, he brings a toughness like Harbaugh, David Cully, Brian Schottenheimer, you know, they were met with that kind of resistance. And I think when the media that wants to say positive things about your new coach, I tend to be a B. Liam Cohen could bomb. I'm going to give him a B because I think he's on the right side. But this thing was met with absolute resistance by people and that includes the local media. And that press conference. From air quotes to this is the biggest risk I've ever taken. That wasn't good. One more herd. The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the iHeartRadio app. Search herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Hey, it's Steve Covino and I'm Rich Davis and together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You can catch us weekdays from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio. And of course, the iHeartRadio app. Why should you listen to Covino and Rich? We talk about everything, life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world. We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture. Stories that, well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends for the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right? So check us out. We like to get you involved, too. Take your phone calls, chop it up, as they say. I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the most interactive show on planet Earth. Be sure to check out Covino and Rich live on Fox Sports radio and the iHeartradio app from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search KO Vino and Rich wherever you get your podcast. And of course, on social media, that's Covino and Rich. You can count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities to small towns on America's largest 5G network. Switch the T Mobile, keep your phone and they'll pay it off up to 800 bucks per line via prepaid card. Learn more@t mobile.com Keep and switch up to 4 lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device, credit service port in 90 plus days with device and eligible carrier and timely redemption. Required card has no cash access and expires in six months.

Colin Coward (23:41)

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Bobby Bones (23:57)

Hey, it's Bobby Bones. Join me and former NFL quarterback Matt Castle every Wednesday for our new podcast, Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle. Between us, we have over 17,500 passing yards, multiple New York Times bestsellers, and one mirrorball trophy from Dancing with the Star. So where else you going to find a show with that much athleticism and football insight? Based in Nashville, we're more than just your basic NFL show. We talk sports, but we talk pop culture and music and a little bit of everything because we got lots to say. I texted you and you texted me back. Now, I don't know if you have the update, but like, all the little thumbs up and heart and stuff, like, it's all colored. They changed it and the heart's a little pink. It felt like I told you I loved you. I'm going to be honest, it was a little pink.

Greg Olson (24:41)

There was something sentimental when you, when you send it, it was like, do.

Colin Cowherd (24:45)

I send the heart?

Bobby Bones (24:46)

Now I don't like the color edition.

Greg Olson (24:48)

It's extremely pink.

Bobby Bones (24:50)

Listen to Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

Katie Couric (24:57)

Hey everyone, it's Katie Couric. Well, the election is in the home stretch and I'm exhausted, but turns out the end is near. Right in time for a new season of my podcast. Next question. This podcast is for people like me who need a little perspective and insight. I'm bringing in some foks friends of Katie's to help me out, like Ezra Klein, Van Jones, Jen Psaki, Asted Herndon. But we're also going to have some fun, even though these days fun and politics seems like an oxymoron. But we'll do that thanks to some of my friends like Samantha bee, Roy Wood Jr. And Charlemagne the God. We're going to take some viewer questions as well. I mean, isn't that what democracy is all about. Power to the podcast for the people. So whether you're obsessed with the news or just trying to figure out what's going on, this season of NEXT Question is for you. Check out our new season of Next Question with me, Katie Couric on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

J. Mac (26:02)

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Colin Cowherd (26:22)

So the Pittsburgh Steelers. I'm reading this this morning. The Rooney family. Art Rooney II said securing a quarterback is the key and that he wants the Steelers to either sign Justin Fields or Russell Wilson to a deal. And it's very hard for me to watch Mahomes face Josh Allen this weekend or watch Jaden Daniels face Jalen Hurts this weekend and think Justin Fields or Russell Wilson are the answer. They're both fine. But I think when you care about stability over ultimate success, you feel stale. And that I that's. That's Pittsburgh. Loyalty makes you blind to opportunity. And when Big Ben was aging, they did not address quarterback. They drafted one quarterback, Mason Rudolph, third round. Ben got upset, criticized him after the draft, and then they just pretended the future at quarterback didn't matter. They just buried their head. They have for the last three years the most expensive defense in the league. Defense in the league. And they are projected next year, for the fourth straight year to have the most expensive defense in the league. It's a defensive culture. They're a better version of the Bears, is that it's all about defense. They've just hit on some good quarterback, great quarterbacks. But I mean, remember when I say you have to move TJ Watt or like a Cam Hayward, that level of player, they freak out. Well, what is it getting you? I watched you get housed by Baltimore trailing 21. Nothing. What does it get you to trade George Pickens, who is not a leader. I'd rather have him, but I would move off a TJ Watt. You guys went and paid big money for a safety, Minka Fitzpatrick. And that year your quarterback was Duck Hodges. New name for this franchise, the Pittsburgh Stalers. They are a stale franchise and our graphic department did an excellent job with a stale, moldy piece of bread on the helmet. We are strongly recommending this going forward. The Pittsburgh Steelers, they are outdated. They spend too much money on defense. They have no urgency at quarterback. They drafted Mason Rudolph third round very early. The sense was backup. Big Ben got angry and they were like oh we don't want to make big. We don't make Big Ben mad. Listen, Aaron and Favre didn't like when the packers went out and drafted the heir apparent to them. Then the brakes. That's the brakes. I mean Tom Brady didn't like Jimmy Garoppolo around. The Patriots drafted a quarterback every second, third year for 20 years. So you know it's there's. I was reading this this morning and Inc Magazines, a business magazine that has a line. One of the main reasons why a business fails is because somebody is overly loyal and refusing to adjust. It's the loyalty that prevents a company from pivoting and trying something like loosen the grip on loyalty and defense. It's again I think Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are fine but you watch this weekend Jaden Daniels, Allen Mahomes I'm telling you when Jalen Hurts is humming he's an elite quarterback too. That that's just not good enough if that's your plan. So I've said this, the jets worry me a little bit. But I'll tell you where I think the jets and the Raiders are not that far away. So in the last two years we have seen Sean Payton go to Denver with a rookie quarterback and the most dead cat money in the league and make the playoffs. We've seen the laughing stock Houston Texans in one year laughing stock the playoffs in the AFC and this year Washington from a hazmat spill of a franchise, a toxic franchise to the NFC championship in one year. Now. Now the jets have a good roster and the Raiders roster is I think better than people think. They have their tackles, their center a weapon in Brock Bowers. They have Max Crosby. Defense was beat up last year but they got some talent. They actually have their own line, their tight end. They need a number one back and a number one receiver and a quarterback. And I don't think the Raiders are that far away but here's where the Raiders and the jets are very interesting. So I would bring Aaron Rodgers back and this, this whole thing is getting Aaron Glenn and other people worked up. Aaron Glenn was asked yesterday about Aaron Rodgers. They're all getting a little defensive on this stuff and what will your process be like? Will you go meet with Aaron? I know you guys we've already ticked Aaron and me and Moose are going to sit there and we don't a lot watch every game take there is and then we got the whole roster. This thing is not about Aaron Rodgers.

Greg Olson (31:22)

Folks, this is about the roster and.

Colin Cowherd (31:24)

We plan on building the best roster that we can. So whatever that may be, guard, tackle.

Greg Olson (31:29)

Defense tackle, that's what we're evaluating.

Colin Cowherd (31:31)

And listen, everybody's on the microscope. That's just what it is. So I think the Raiders and the jets are very similar. They both need a quarterback for the future. Both have a high first round pick and a second pick. So what I would do if I was the Jets, I would get a weapon with the first pick, not a quarterback. I'd go get Tyler Warren the Penn State tight end or T. Mac the receiver. I would, if I was the Raiders I would do that. If I was the Jets, I would do that. Either get the receiver for Arizona or the tight end, Penn State both could and maybe should be available with both of your second picks. I would go get if available because you're both at the top of the second round, near the top. I would go get Kyle McCord, the quarterback for Syracuse. I think he's, I think he's the dark horse player in the draft. Kyle McCord, Syracuse so in both instances the jets and the Raiders need a weapon on the perimeter because Garrett Wilson's not happy. Devonte Adams, expensive. And both need a quarterback. And I think keeping Aaron for one year and the Raiders getting Kirk Cousins similarly on the cheat for a year is the answer. So you have a grown up in the room that can help mentor the young second round quarterback because Kyle McCord right now to me is the fastest rising dark horse player in the draft, especially at quarterback. People like Jackson Dart too. So I, I don't think this stuff takes forever. I've watched Denver with their dead cap money and a rookie quarterback. Houston was a mess. Washington had to replace everybody in the building. I think the jets have a good roster. I think it's. Defensively, it's a very good roster. They need another weapon on offense. Aaron for a year I'm totally comfortable with it. And the Raiders, they have two tackles. They got their center from Oregon. They've got an unbelievable best tight end prospect in years. They need a quarterback and another receiver. I don't think rebuild. We've seen it now the last two years. It's not that difficult. This idea that you bail on Aaron Rodgers. No, make him Kirk Cousins. They both are old, they both have a surgery. Both played well for about half of last season. Kirk, the first half, Aaron the second half, we've seen it. There's, there are franchises that I wouldn't want to be. I think Carolina, Bryce Young's Getting better. I think there's limitations to them, but at least it's a bad division. Jets are not going to beat the Bills. They can be a playoff team. Raiders are not going to beat the Chiefs. It wouldn't shock me if they're a playoff team. It really wouldn't. So this stuff, I think with the jets getting a little worked up and a little defensive on Aaron Rodgers. Aaron Rodgers will be your ally for a year. Kirk Cousins in Vegas, he's an ally, a mentor in the building. One more year, that's about what they have left. Aaron's got maybe two and go draft the quarterback of the future. But I feel like everybody's defensive about Aaron. Make him your ally, make him the mentor. Get him another weapon. They'll be fine. C.J. mac. There's the optimistic Colin Glass, half full. I know you guys are freaking out, but we've learned something in the NFL. When you overreact emotionally because of disappointment, you're not. There's a certain fog of defeat, like, oh, it's the officials. No, it was play calling in Buffalo. Well, Aaron's terrible, actually. No, the last 10 games. We brought it on the show yesterday. Aaron was very B plus and he could be. And Aaron's, you know, say what you want about Aaron, but he was helpful to Jordan Love. He's not Brett Favreau. He's a little rigid, a little defensive. Aaron's been a good mentor to young players. He gets along, you know, with Jordan. Love speaks highly of him. Why couldn't he do the same for the Syracuse quarterback?

J. Mac (35:24)

The messaging here strikes me as a little bit of Russell Wilson in Denver. How he had the run of the show Aaron Rodgers did last year. Aaron Glenn comes in is like, this is not about Aaron Rodgers. This is about the team. That sounds very Sean Payton to me, as if we're taking the team back from our quarterback.

Colin Cowherd (35:41)

Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the iHeartRadio app. Really interested to talk to Greg Olson today. And we don't get to do it often, so I just wrap my arms around it when I can. And there's some things I really, really want to jump into today, so let's bring him on first. Greg Olson live, Fox Sports, 14 years, three time Pro Bowler, great teammate here at Fox. So let's. I want to start. I'm going to get to eventually. You had the Eagles three times this year. I'm going to get to that. And you also had Chiefs, Eagles, Super Bowl, I'm going to get to that. I want to start with the coaching hires. So I'm a big believer in every team needs something different. I thought Pete Carroll to the Raiders is a great hire. You played with him in Seattle for a couple years. For Raider fans, what will Pete provide? Because you always felt really, you really liked Pete, if I recall.

Greg Olson (36:39)

Yeah. So I think the thing when it comes to Pete, and again, I had him just for one season in Seattle, I think there's some. And I told everyone when I came home, I'm like, there's a lot of things. If ever one day there was a magic wand, you said, okay, you're in charge of a team and you've got to run. Team meeting and you've got to handle situational play calling during the week in preparation and how to model week to week practice schedules and communication and vision, all of that. Pete is a plus. He is as organized and as diligent and as good as anybody I ever been around in all of those things. I think the question that comes with a guy like Pete, you're going to get the leadership and the experience. All that is a given. I think the question you get with a hire like Pete is no different than any other defensive coach. And you touched on it. I was listening to your last segment before the break and it's no different than with Aaron Glenn or whoever, the defensive coaches. The number one question is how. Who is your offensive coordinator and how do you figure out the quarterback position? You could be the greatest leader, you could be the greatest galvanizer and run the best locker room and run the best. If your offense isn't good, defensive coaches get fired. So it's kind of funny. You look at, you know, you look at Zach Taylor in Cincinnati or you look at offensive coaches when their offense is really good and their defense struggles, the defensive coordinator gets replaced. When defensive coaches, Robert Sala, for example, when he got fired, they were a top five defense in the league. It was the offense that was struggling. Aaron Rodgers wasn't playing up to expectations. The offense was underachieving and they fired the defensive guy. So, like, it's just, it's the quandary that these defensive coaches find themselves in. And I don't think it's their fault. Everybody wants a good offense. Whether you're winning and losing, everybody wants a good offense. Offensive coaches, when they're the head coach, it takes a long time for them to get fired. They probably only get fired if they don't have a good. They don't have a good offense or obviously a star quarterback. And you look at McDermott, you look at some of the really long time, really good defensive coaches, they're able to weather the storm of the ups and downs of being on the defensive side because they have hall of Fame quarterbacks. So if he can bring in a young Russ, you know, Russell Wilson, and he can figure it out as quickly as he did in Seattle, he's a home run.

Colin Cowherd (38:52)

Yeah.

Greg Olson (38:53)

You.

Colin Cowherd (38:53)

You had told me you were devastated when you were drafted by Chicago and traded, because you and I both share this. We love Chicago as a city. It's big. The architecture, the people, the passion, the food. It's one of, it's one of North America's great hubs. So for Ben Johnson, you know, he'd go there for a couple days with the Lions playing in Chicago, explain what it's like, the bigness, the volume, the intensity. What's Ben gonna face?

Greg Olson (39:22)

Yeah, I mean, my first four years in Chicago, it's a special place. And I remember when I got drafted there, I was coming out of Miami, which again, for anyone that's been to Miami, it's. It's a city. It's. It's not really like a college football town. It has a lot of other perks and a lot of other fun aspects in the tradition of the program, but it's not Tuscaloosa, Alabama, it's not Athens, Georgia. Right. It's not, it's not one of those, like, towns. Then you go to Chicago and it's this big metropolitan, big city. But on game day during the fall, it feels like a small college town. It feels like you are. Everyone there is living, breathing, dying with the Bears. And it's just a really fun, passionate fan base. And, you know, to add a guy like Ben Johnson, who seems to have been kind of the bell of the ball over the last three hiring cycles. He's been very calculated on the interviews that he's taken on the jobs that he's turned down, and he was waiting for the right Knicks. So, I mean, you could, I thought watching his press conference, you could see it on his face. That's a roster that has some built in wins. I always kind of judge a job like, as far as would you take that job? Saying, like, by just getting organized and just kind of getting everything set up, how many wins are built into that roster? And I think at some teams, the roster is kind of maxed out under the previous coach and you've got a lot of building to do. And then I Think at other teams like Chicago, I think there's wins baked into that roster with Ben Johnson and his ability to develop, Caleb Williams and his ability to handle those end of game situations that Chicago let them kind of get away. And that's the difference between winning three or four more games. So it's a fun fan group. They've been, they've been looking for a star quarterback and stability at head coach. You know, the last ability they had was Lovey, you know, and they let him go through a 10 win season. So they're hoping that this is the head coach quarterback combination for a long time.

Colin Cowherd (41:13)

So you called three different Eagle games. So you saw this offense improve and mature. I said, I said the other day, I said, there are drives when I watch Philadelphia and I think, how do they ever punt? I mean, literally, it's like nine Pro bowl players. How do they ever punt? What did you see? Show me the growth that you saw in the three games. What were they different? Was it the same thing?

Greg Olson (41:43)

I said? So we called that crazy game against Washington where, you know, Hertz went out in the first quarter, Saquon got off to the crazy start. He had like 100 yards in the first quarter. Then Jalen Hurts got hurt, he went down, they went to the backup and it kind of spiraled on him and, and you know, Jaden Daniels came back and took him down to, to win that unbelievable game. And I remember we came onto the broadcast and I was very clear, I was like, make no mistake about it, this is the best roster in football. This is the best team in football. And we can spend all this time talking about the offensive skill positions and of course the offensive line. And I know, I know Hertz comes under fire. Here's what I will say about Hertz when he plays on time from the pocket. And it's kind of an interesting conversation because you look at him and you think back to his time in college and you look at him in the physicality and he's an athlete and he can run. And usually going into games against quarterbacks like him, you say, hey, keep him in the pocket. Make them, you know, don't let him scramble. I think Jalen's actually better when he plays on time and he plays from the pocket. He can beat you as a scramble runner. But I think it's really the scramble passing that he doesn't necessarily do like some of the other quote unquote, scramble quarterbacks. But you look at the offensive line and the group, they have, they have the best two offensive tackles in the league, they're getting all of their eligibles out into the format, out of the formation, every single play. Because on most teams you're chipping edges, your running back is, is helping out on a backside tackle, but with my Lotta and Lane Johnson, you're blocking 5 on 5 pretty much every play. And all of a sudden you've got Saquon and Kenneth Gainwell into the checkdown. And if you don't back up, I got A.J. brown and Devonte Smith putting a ton of pressure, deep layers into my secondary. And then the magic of it all was adding Saquon. And I think there's this conversation of, oh my God, I can't believe this would have been the Giants if it was Saquon. And it would not have. It's just the combination of Saquon's unique ability and the scheme and the system he went into was the perfect marriage. So you factor all of the offense on top of a Vic Fangio defense that went from pretty much last to first in the league in defense, and you and I agree, if this was a best of five series, I'm not sure if you're beating any team in the league, is beating Philly best of five. But as we know, it's a one game series week after week. And in critical moments, there's nobody better than Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City when they need to have a stop, need to have a third or fourth down conversion, they have the best play call at the right moment at all times. And that's really been the key to their success.

Colin Cowherd (44:15)

So when these two met a couple years ago, you were doing the game in the super bowl, what do you remember? What are one or two things that stuck out to you? Maybe personnel or scheme wise?

Greg Olson (44:23)

I mean, I remember going into the game and we're trying to map out, okay, you know, we have Philadelphia and this was really at the onset of the quarterback sneak and the tush push and how they use third and fourth down to their advantage and they wanted to get a lead and they put so much pressure on you early in games by going forward on fourth down. And we talked a lot about how third down, they would actually just treat us second because they knew they always in their back pocket had another yard and a half to two yards with the quarterback sneak and it turned into just like an offensive slug fest. I mean, both teams scored 35 plus and Jalen Hurts probably played the best game of the season and he was the, you know, runner up MVP to Mahomes that year, which Is saying a lot. He had the one fumble that they scooped and scored. Outside of that, he was incredible. He had the deep touchdown to A.J. brown. They were efficient. They didn't run the ball real well. Jalen Hurts was. He was their leading rusher that game. They didn't get a lot out of Miles Sanders.

Colin Cowherd (45:18)

Yeah.

Greg Olson (45:18)

And the rest. So I think that's obviously going to be a little bit different. But listen, it's pretty remarkable that, you know, it seems like over the last couple years, it's been Kansas City and then a rematch, and they got San Francisco again last year and pulled it off at the end. And, you know, we'll see. Now they get another. You know, Philadelphia gets another crack at them here in two weeks.

Colin Cowherd (45:40)

You know, finally yesterday I said, there's a lot about Steve Spagnola and Andy are so good, and they've been so good for so long. And it does help when you have Mahomes. It's easy to be a great poker player when you always have the best cards. Right?

Greg Olson (45:55)

That.

Colin Cowherd (45:55)

That helps. And I think The Chiefs front seven defensively and McDuffie on the corner, I think it's really underrated. I think Chris Jones, a Hall of Famer, but the tush push bothered me because I felt very early in the game, the reason it works in Philly is that jalen hurts is 511 squats 600 pounds. He literally disappears into a wall of green. They practice it. They're all in. It is the standard of the tush push. And then Buffalo Telegraphs. It always goes left. He's 6, 7. He jumps up with a ball in the air, and I'm like, guys, he's a pinata. Justin Herbert tried that once and quit doing it. I. And I don't like. I don't like questioning coaches. It drove me nuts. The constant. Hey, I mean, McDermott said, we kind of let Josh just, you know, go make a play. I don't think you beat Andy Reid that way, but now you played in that. He had success in the regular season doing that. Am I being overly critical on that tush push? And you would, if you have Josh use him.

Greg Olson (46:55)

Yeah. I mean, I understand in certain situations, that play is your highest percentage ability to convert on third or fourth and short, whatever the down and distance is, especially when you have such a physical body at the quarterback position. And I remember for years with Cam, we ran a lot of quarterback sneaks. Now, we didn't get everybody up there behind them to push because how we used to do it with Cam, again, different than How Philly has really kind of revolutionized that no one does it as good as them. But when we used to do it, we used to have a design play. So we would call a play in the huddle that was, you know, you know, a two back power quarterback, whatever, a pass play, run play, whatever the play was. And then we would alert into the quarterback sneak. So what that allowed us to do was if you didn't cover up all the interior gaps and play your linebackers in a walked up position and really sell out in the 2A gaps between the guard and the center, we would then just alert one word and make the call, set, hut. And everyone would turn it into quarterback sneak. And then if you want it to be everyone up on the middle, everyone's head over the ball, we had another play. The back was at normal distance, the wide receivers or whatever the formation were at normal splits and alignments. So we didn't have to run it into every look. And I think what's happened is these other, these teams around the league have seen Philadelphia be able to say it doesn't matter if you bring in 50 players, you can line up the entire team in the A gaps and they're going to get it at 98% clip. It's just not the case for everybody else. So as Kansas City continue to sell out, as they continue to squeeze down their edges and put so many bodies in the box with, with the approach that Josh has, which is take it kind of back up and run almost off tackle, sweep to the left, the timing is just a little different, the bodies are a little bit different. And you know, they got it a couple times and of course they didn't get it on the big one. So I think people really don't realize just how hard it is to do what Philadelphia does and the amount of pressure it puts on defenses when you get the ball. And it's like first and eight in your mind because you know if you get to fourth down, I got a yard or two as a gimme what that does for a play caller. I don't know if we spend enough time talking about how much how important that is for the philosophy in which how Philadelphia and teams like that play.

Colin Cowherd (49:12)

Yeah, you're good at what you do. Three Pro Bowls, 14 seasons in the NFL. Next time you get invited to a big wedding though, you could invite me. You could have given me a text or something. I would have loved to have joined you this summer. That's on McCaffrey that it kind of is on Christian. Good seeing you, buddy.

Bobby Bones (49:26)

Hey, it's Bobby Bones. Join me and former NFL quarterback Matt Castle every Wednesday for our new podcast, Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle. Between us, we have over 17,500 passing yards, multiple New York Times bestsellers, and one mirror ball trophy from Dancing with a Star. So where else you can find a show with that much athleticism and football insight? We talk sports, but we talk pop culture and music and a little bit of everything. Listen to Lots to Say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Katie Couric (49:57)

Hey, everyone, it's Katie Couric. Well, the election is in the home stretch, right in time for a new season of my podcast, Next Question. I'm bringing in some foks friends of Katie's to help me out, like Ezra Klein, Jen Psaki, Asted Herndon. But we're also going to have some fun thanks to some of my friends like Samantha Bee and Charlamagne the God. We're going to take some viewer questions as well. I mean, isn't that what democracy is all about? Check out our new season of Next Question with me, Katie Couric on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Colin Cowherd (50:35)

What's up, everyone? It's Justin Penik from John Boy Media, the host of the Football Today podcast with Bobby Skinner and Chris Rose. We roll three times a week on Mondays, on Wednesdays, on Fridays, breaking down everything you need to know about the NFL. We're gearing up for the NFL playoffs. I hope you can join us. Join in with us three times a week. Listen to Football Today on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and you will be glad you did. What's up, everybody? Adnan Virtue. About a new podcast, it's NHL Unscripted with Virk and Demers. Jason Immers here. And after playing 700 NHL games, I got a lot of dirty laundry to air out. Hey, I got a lot to say here, too, okay? Each week we'll get together to chat about the sport that we love.

Katie Couric (51:20)

Tons of guests are going to join in, too.

Colin Cowherd (51:22)

But we're not just going to be talking hockey, folks. We're talking movies. We're talking tv, food, and Adnan's favorite wrestling. It's all on le table. Listen to NHL Unscripted with Virk and Demers, the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.