Loading summary
Transcript79 lines
- [00:00]
Colin Cowherd
American Public University is the number one provider of education to our military and veterans in this country. They offer something truly unique special rates and grants for the entire family, making education affordable not just for those who serve, but also for their loved ones. If you have a military or veteran family member and are looking for affordable, high quality education, APU is the place for you. Visit Apu Apus Edu Military to learn more. That's Apu Apus Edu Military T Mobile.
- [00:41]
T-Mobile Representative
Stats are as impressive as your favorite athlete's highlight reel because T Mobile helps keep you connected from the heart of Portland to right where you are on America's largest 5G network switch. Now keep your phone and T Mobile will pay it off up to $800 per line via prepaid card. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com keepandswitch up to four lines of your virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlocked device credit service report in 90 plus days device knowledgeable carrier and timely redemption required card is no cash access and expires in six months.
- [01:10]
Colin Cowherd
Looking to transform your business through better HR and payroll? Meet Paycor, a paychecks company. The powerhouse solution that empowers leaders to drive results. From recruiting and development to payroll and analytics, paycor connects you with the people, data and expertise you need to succeed. Their innovative platform helps you make smarter decisions about your most valuable asset, your people. Are you ready to become a better leader? Visit paycor.comleaders to learn more. That's paycor.com leaders Ah, come on.
- [01:46]
Greg Cosell
Why is this taking so long?
- [01:47]
T-Mobile Representative
This thing is ancient. Still, using yesterday's tech Upgrade to the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Ultra Light Ultra powerful and built for serious productivity with Intel Core Ultra processors, blazing speed and AI powered performance that keeps up with your business, not the other way around.
- [02:03]
Greg Cosell
Whoa, this thing moves.
- [02:04]
T-Mobile Representative
Stop hitting snooze on new tech. Win the tech search@lenovo.com Lenovo Lenovo unlock AI experiences with the ThinkPad X1 carbon powered by Intel Core Ultra processors so you can work, create and boost productivity all on one device.
- [02:22]
Greg Cosell
Thanks for listening to the Best of the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports radio and noon.
- [02:29]
Colin Cowherd
To 3 Eastern, 9am to noon Pacific.
- [02:32]
Greg Cosell
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. All right, it is Friday. Let's make it Count. It's the herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening, thanks for making us part of your day. Greg Cosell in one hour from now. Cosell's great. He's going to break down some of these college guys. Quarterbacks, receivers, tight ends, maybe the best 15 minutes of the week. Greg Cosell, Jordan Schultz filling in for JMac. It's his Friday. He's done an amazing job this week at his fam yesterday. Let's write. Let's have a strong Friday with gusto.
- [03:27]
Dan Morgan
Gusto.
- [03:28]
Greg Cosell
Bravado. Bravado, Gusto. All right, so I want to start with this because at the end of our show yesterday, we touched on it. So yesterday, Aaron Rodgers on ESPN, Pat McAfee Show. They go for like a 20, 30 minute interview. They've been doing this for a couple years now. And I had two big takeaways on it because it was the end of the jets relationship. My two big takeaways are, number one, the jets are a second class operation. Aaron Rodgers, his own dime, flies cross country on his, you know, citation or Jet Stream or Gulf Stream. Probably plays about $50,000 there and back, maybe 60. And they give him five minutes. They could have told him they didn't want him on the phone. I don't care how much Aaron makes. I don't care what you think about Aaron. You can't treat employees that way. That's not how you treat people. Rams aren't treating people that way. Come on now. Niners aren't treating people that way. Dodgers aren't treating people that way. Baltimore's not treating people like that. That's a second class move. And by the way, we have report cards to back that up. Remember when the players in the NFL had player polls? NFLPA player polls. Jets ranked 29th owner got an F by the jets players. An F. They also have the longest playoff drought in North American sports. Longer than the Washington Wizards. Not a well run organization at all. They fired Joe Douglas, who I thought was really good. They fired Robert Sala in week five, when the next game he was going to be if they won in first place. And they treat Aaron Rodgers like a door to door salesman. Give me a break. And when Woody Allen, by the way, fired Robert Sala. Woody Johnson, sorry. When Woody Johnson fired Robert Sala, he said his quote was, this is one of the most talented teams that's ever been assembled by the New York Jets. Six weeks later, he fired the GM that assembled the roster. You just said it was the best jets roster. The guy who assembled it you fired. So just this organization's not well run. Joe Douglas was bitter. Should be Robert Sala, probably a little bitter. Should be Aaron, sounded a little bitter. Should be my second takeaway on the Aaron Rodgers discussion yesterday. I'm going to read you his several of his quotes from the interview. And remember he's a franchise quarterback, right? Most important position in American sports. Quote, retirement could still be a possibility, but right now my focus is on my personal life. He later said, I got a lot of things that are taking my attention away from football. That's where I've been focusing most of my attention on. He also said, you know, I'm trying to be open to anything and not specifically attached to anything. He also said, this entire time I haven't felt like I've owed anybody any sort of decision at any point. Bro. All in or all out. It's like being a surgeon at a hospital. They need to know if you're available when they call tomorrow for a 7 hour surgery to an 11 year old girl to save her life. It's not that serious, but it's serious. People depend on the top surgeon or the pilot or the CEO or the coach or the quarterback. They're depending on you. So you can't be like indifferent in casual and California cool. At one point he talked about people in his inner circle are struggling and I can have sympathy for that, but the NFL bench is not a therapy couch. Nobody cares. That's your problem. Nobody cares about your inner circle. Tom Brady was going through personal stuff. We didn't hear about it. Tom was about football. The minute Tom was in the facility, it's all football all the time. And he didn't talk about it. It was never distracting. Same with Peyton Manning. Didn't have a perfect life. So in closing, here's why I never bought into the New York Jets. And I always saw this relationship as more Carmen Electra and Dennis Rodman than Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. Why say it out loud? You know, that's one of my rules in life. Whenever you're not sure if something's going to work, just say it out loud. Second class football operation and a quarterback that's old, past his prime and, you know, mostly committed. Does that sound like the Ravens? Does that sound like the Rams or the Lions or the Eagles or the Chiefs? No. And that's why you're the Jets. I think the way they treated him is bush league. You don't have to. And I went on the Internet yesterday, people, well, Aaron makes a lot of money. You either treat people right in life or you don't. Even if they're leaving the company, you don't treat them like that. And I talked to a GM in the league yesterday. Aaron Glenn was very rogue and weird how he treated Aaron. And a general manager told me yesterday, he said, coaches, sometimes you get lucky. And they're not only CEOs, but they're like scheme wizards like Andy Reid or Kyle Shanahan. But it's really a CEO job. You're dealing with personalities. You got to know what the budgets are. You're dealing with egos. You're managing coaches, you're managing units, players, the media.
- [08:29]
Colin Cowherd
It's a CEO job.
- [08:30]
Greg Cosell
Aaron Glenn right now is not a CEO. He doesn't know what he's doing because that's not how you treat people. That's just not how you do it. And, Aaron, you're in or you're out, bro. Indifferent. California cool is not a vibe. It doesn't work. So the whole thing was like, I mean, this is Rodman, Carmen Electra kind of attractive, briefly, but this is not going to work. Okay, so Steph Curry and the Warriors, I'm picking. The Rockets are favored. The warriors and Steph are favored to beat Houston. And that series starts Sunday. And so let's say they win because they're favored. And most people like the fact they have the best player, Steph Curry, and the best coach, Steve Kerr, and they've got tons of playoff experience. That's why they're favored. I just. I think there's reasons they won't win it, but they could. But it's really interesting. As great as Michael Jordan was, he only won titles with Pippen. And as great as Kobe was, he won with Shaq, and he won with Gasol, Perennial all stars. So if the warriors win this series, that means they're one series away from another Western Conference final. And think about this. Clay has won with Steph as one. With Clay as his best teammate, with Kevin Durant as his best teammate in the finals, with Andrew Wiggins being a key cog, and now with Jimmy Butler, fourth iteration. We were joking this morning. Steph Curry is like the black T shirt of a wardrobe. It works with everything. You can put a sports coat over it. You can wear it with jeans, you can wear it working out, or you can wear it with shorts. Steph works with everything. And I think there's two things that are a key to Steph Curry, and that's why they're favored. They're favored in the series because of Steph Curry. Because when a superstar either works really hard on defense or without the ball, it sends a message. And nobody works harder without the ball in the NBA in my lifetime than Steph Curry. And that message is one that a lot of other stars like Amelo, I don't play defense, don't really work too hard unless the ball's in your hands. That sends a message too, because they really, I don't think Golden State should win this series. I think the only reason they're favorite is one player. First of all, they are a two man offense and both guys are past their prime. Butler and Steph. Number two, rebounding and size matter in the playoffs because extra possessions matter. When people are really playing intentional basketball, Houston's going to own the glass. Number three, the Rockets have home court advantage. That's substantial. And number four is. The warriors have something right now that's actually a disaster, is that they've got this group, but what they really need is size and length. And they thought they were going to get that from Jonathan Kaminga, jk and it doesn't work. And Steve Kerr wants it to work, but it doesn't work and they're not playing him. And it's a coach's decision. It's a mess. In fact, the story came out yesterday from a respected writer in the Bay Area. They're going to move off him. So Rockets have home court advantage. Rockets will dominate the glass. Rockets best players are in their prime or young, twitchy and moving into their prime. And the Rockets know what the rotation is right now. The warriors are struggling with it and Steve Kerr talked about that. The puzzle has to fit. We found, you know, a really good formula.
- [12:00]
Dan Morgan
When J.K. was injured and we got Jimmy, I think we went 18 and.
- [12:04]
Greg Cosell
2 or something right away.
- [12:06]
Dan Morgan
So we found, we found lineup combinations that have clicked and we're winning and we have to stick with that.
- [12:12]
Greg Cosell
And it's, it's brutal for jk. It really is. He's a young player who wants to play and he's absolutely talented enough to play.
- [12:19]
Dan Morgan
We just have to keep plugging away and keep moving forward and he's doing a good job of that.
- [12:25]
Greg Cosell
But I definitely feel for him. Remember when the Niners moved off Trey Lance? I said, if Trey Lance doesn't work with Kyle Shanahan, then it doesn't work in the pros. Steph Curry works with everybody. He works. It doesn't matter. Draymond Clay, Andre Iguodala, Bogut. He works with everybody. If you can't work in a starting lineup. With Steph, you can't be a Warrior. So the JK situation is why I like Houston. They can't figure out how to play Kaminga, but it's a remarkable career. Steph Curry and this is just not the way it usually is. Works with every kind of player, role players, big, small, as long as you can keep up with the offense because it's a fast thinking and reacting offense. But right now JK can't and I think that'll doom the warriors in what I project as the biggest upset. I mean, call it what you want. The warriors are favored. The better seed is Houston. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am.
- [13:30]
Colin Cowherd
Pacific American Public University is the number one provider of education to our military and veterans in this country. They offer something truly unique, special rates and grants for the entire family, making education affordable not just for those who serve, but also for their loved ones. If you have a military or veteran family member and are looking for affordable, high quality education, APU is the place for you. Visit Apu Apus Edu Military to learn more. That's APU APUS Edumilitary.
- [14:13]
Dan Morgan
I've got Dan Morgan here on the pod. Say hi Dan. Hey, how's it going today? It's going good, man. Tell us who you are and what you do. I'm Dan Morgan. I'm an attorney and a managing partner at Morgan and Morgan, which is America's largest injury law firm. That's pretty awesome. I think I saw a billboard of yours recently that said 20 billion. 120 billion is an insane number. Yeah, 20 billion recovered. It's actually, I think somewhere north. Probably closer to 22, 23 after this year. And each year we get bigger and badder and our army grows. So the number will hopefully keep getting bigger and bigger as time goes on. Awesome. So how does someone get in contact with Morgan and Morgan? What would I do if I got into an accident? Probably the easiest way is dialing pound law. That's £529 from your cell phone. We are always open. Our call center is always waiting to take your call. 247365 wow. Dan Morgan from Morgan & Morgan, America's large injury law firm. Thanks for coming by the show. Thanks for having me. Visit forthepeople.com for an office near you.
- [15:11]
Colin Cowherd
Looking to transform your business through better HR and payroll? Meet paycor, a paychex company. The powerhouse solution that empowers leaders to drive results. From recruiting and development to payroll and analytics, paycor connects you with the people, data and expertise you need to succeed. Their innovative platform helps you make smarter decisions about your most valuable asset, your people. Are you ready to become a Better Leader? Visit paycor.com leadership to learn more. That's paycor.com leaders t mobile stats are.
- [15:47]
T-Mobile Representative
As impressive as your favorite athlete's highlight reel because T Mobile helps keep you connected from the heart of Portland to right where you are on America's largest 5G network switch. Now keep your phone and T Mobile will pay it off up to $800 per line via prepaid card. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com KeepAndSwitch up to 4 lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualified unlock device, credit service port in 90 plus days device and eligible carrier and timely redemption. Required card is no cash access and expires in six months.
- [16:17]
Dan Morgan
I got a.
- [16:18]
Greg Cosell
Little bit of pushback on my Jackson Dart opinions, which I have said. I think he's a better version. Same high school, same basic size, same basic offense. Struggled against better college competition too often for me. He's Zach Wilson, but a little thicker. Got a lot of pushback on that. I think he's a little bit of a nervous thrower in big games when you rush him. I don't love his decision making. Also, I think Shador Sanders, who is one of the most accurate college quarterbacks I can remember seeing playing behind an atrocious offensive line with no run game. I think he's undervalued. I don't get him falling to 21. I don't. I think there's a gap between should do it. For me, there's a gap between Shador and Jackson Dart. In my trust, if I was a general manager on what I have seen in college through 40 or 50 starts, I trust Shador Sanders to run an offense, be composed, be accurate. Jackson Dart I Accuracy worries me. Tempo worries me. In some big games when he was hurried, he There's a little bit of a Zach Wilson thing that worries me, but I've gotten a lot of pushback, especially on Jackson Dart. With that we bring In Greg Cosell, 45 years NFL Films out this week. By the way, the Tape Notebook, A comprehensive draft guide by the best in the business, Greg Cosell. It's called the Tape Notebook. So listen, everybody has basically said, and I think mostly right, there's some quarterback talent. It's not a star draft. Let's take Cam Ward. So he was a no star recruit. I watched him at Washington State because I'm from Washington State but Not a lot of people did. He goes to Miami, he pops. Does he look like a bonafide franchise changer on tape?
- [18:01]
Dan Morgan
I think he does. Colin. I, you know, it's funny, I finished watching him. I finish all the quarterbacks before the combine because I always get asked about them at the combine. So I finished all those quarterbacks and my opinion doesn't change because it's based on tape. And I saw Ward as a true legit high end prospect who's worthy of a top pick in a draft. He's clearly the most physically gifted quarterback in this draft class. And you know, I just think that the traits, the high traits level and I know some people at Washington State who told me that he's a great kid, that he, he's got a dog mentality. So I don't think there's any concern there at all with Cam Ward. I spoke to an NFL coach and I felt the same way who said that if he was in last year's draft he would have been in this the conversation with the top three. And I personally believe that based on tape study.
- [18:50]
Greg Cosell
Okay, so we, I've said I think Tennessee is going to be a playoff team with him. That's my one of my upset picks. I think he's a starter now. I like Shador more than others because I can't get past this. When I watched him and I probably watched him like everybody else a dozen times, I thought he was kind of uniquely accurate. Moving left, moving right, holds right, holds the ball too long. Some of that though may just be get more refined. So it does worry me. They say he's not a great athlete, but he feels like he moves well enough. To me he had to with that O line. I think he's a B prospect, not an A. What's the tape say to you?
- [19:26]
Dan Morgan
Yeah, I think at his core he's not a statue by any means. Just like CJ Stroud has turned out not to be a statue. But at his core he's a pocket quarterback and I think he's got an over the top delivery. He's an easy natural thrower of the football. He is accurate. He did throw about 150 screen passes this year. So I think the 70%, whatever it was, completion percentage that is irrelevant in conversations about him just because of the high number of screens he threw. I like Jador Sanders. I think there's two things that he clearly has to work on. One is he has a tendency to retreat backwards when he feels pressure and that cannot happen in the NFL. And the Other thing, and this can be cleaned up is he tends when he perceives pressure to hold the ball with one hand, with his right hand. And you know that's disaster in the NFL. But I think he's an easy natural throw of the football. He's pretty rhythmic. That's his game. There are plenty of examples on tape where he stood in the pocket in the face of pressure and delivered the football. And I think that's real positive. He's going to have to do as a pocket quarterback, you're going to have to do that. You're going to have to work in squeezed pockets and stand and deliver. And I think he showed that it's always easy to talk about offensive line. We saw this with Caleb Williams. The one other thing that's concerning is quarterbacks that get sacked a lot in college for whatever the reason, Colin get sacked a lot in the NFL. We saw that with Caleb Williams this past year.
- [20:53]
Greg Cosell
Okay, we'll probably start disagreeing here. Jackson Dart worries me. When I first watched them in college, I thought of Zach Wilson. I didn't know they went to the same high school. Power high school in Utah.
- [21:05]
Dan Morgan
Right.
- [21:06]
Greg Cosell
You know, they've kind of the RPO thing, very successful. Didn't always think Jackson Dart saw the field particularly well. That was my knock on Zach Wilson. Also my knock on Justin Field. Some guys just don't see see it as quickly. They have slower eyes or whatever they call it. I don't see him as a first round quarterback. Tell me I'm wrong. What do you see?
- [21:28]
Dan Morgan
I don't think you're necessarily wrong. I kept going back and forth on Jackson Dart. I watched him last summer from his 2023 tape. I think I watched 10 or 11 games this year because I just couldn't get a great feel on what I think he'll be in the league because that's what we're talking about. We're not talking about college football. We're talking about the projection and transition. I think I ultimately came down on the fact that he could be a quality starter depending on any number of variables and variances, which is usually the case with most quarterbacks. You know, the system he ran at Ole Miss, it was a really good system. He was very efficient and proficient at it. They did run a lot of NFL route concepts contrary to what people might believe. One thing that always bothers me, I kind of learned this from Phil Sims years ago and it always bothers me with quarterbacks. Once Phil told me and it resonated is he works hard, Colin, to Throw the ball and guys that work hard to throw the ball. I always think when there's going to be pressure and you have to kind of sit on your back foot and drive the ball with some velocity, I always wonder how that's going to play out. Like, for instance, Cam Ward has zero problem with that whatsoever. So, you know, I just kept going back and forth on dart. I'm not quite as low on him as you are, but I'm just not certain about what he is in the league. I think it's going to be a function of team, coach, the offense that he's asked to run. So many factors that we just don't know right now.
- [22:56]
Greg Cosell
Okay, so it's funny because I keep hearing this about this Louisville quarterback, Tyler Shuck.
- [23:05]
Dan Morgan
Yep.
- [23:05]
Greg Cosell
Okay. Been hurt a lot, bounced around a lot. He's 27. The truth is, when I was in college, you go to your college dorm and there's always that one old guy in the college dorm and he runs the floor. I forget the name of it, but he runs the floor. And he's got a beard and he drinks better beer. He drinks better beer than all of us. We're drinking, you know, like cheap, Milwaukee's best. And I think to myself, it reminds me of this guy. Like, listen, he's 27. He should be more physically developed. He should be smarter. He's got more reps. But it's like he's older than Trevor Lawrence. I'm always so reluctant. Unlike really old college quarterback who crushes in his final year of college. What do you make of Louisville's quarterback?
- [23:53]
Dan Morgan
Well, I can only tell you what I saw in film and by the way, in talking to people around the league, the age doesn't bother them as much as the injury history, so just keep that in mind. But I thought that after Cam Ward, just purely on tape, that he had the next best tape of any quarterback in this year's draft. I mean, he's a big kid. He's almost 6 5. And by the way, that's a trait. He's almost 6 5. He throws the ball really, really well. He's got movement, ability. I like Tyler Schuck a lot. I don't know where he's going to get drafted. I doubt he's a top five pick, but, you know, I think the tape was really, really strong. And I really liked his game a lot. And, you know, I've heard people who do this kind of thing, you know, that interview him, talk to him, say that he is really mature, which, of course, he should be, as you said, but that he's ready to go right now. He's one of those guys that's really impressive in person. But the tape was very, very impressive. Colin.
- [24:50]
Greg Cosell
Okay, so I said this about Aston Genty. It's a really good running back draft, but I remember years ago. I'll tell a story. So it was a draft that had Patrick Willis, the Ole Miss linebacker. And I don't know if you and I were doing our thing back then, but I remember watching the pre. YouTube, I saw a couple pieces of video as I was waiting for the draft where he literally ran down an sec running back. And I said, I'm like, that's the best player in this draft or the. The SEC at that time. I said, that piece of tape doesn't look normal. That's. That's a pro. I saw a piece of tape like Jamar Chase as a sophomore. I'm like, that guy would start for everybody in the NFL. Ashton Genty, even against Oregon, is bouncing off NFL players. Oregon's got NFL dudes. Penn State, he's just. It seems like nobody. Maybe it's because he's five, seven and a half, five, eight. I watch his tape and I'm like, I know he went to Boise State. I know he's small. Nobody can get a clean shot on him. I think we're looking at a star here, aren't we?
- [25:53]
Dan Morgan
Well, that's the magic to him. The contact balance, the ability to absorb hits, continue to move without losing any momentum or speed. That's kind of his magic elixir. That's what makes him a really, really good back. You know, it's interesting that he didn't run because I'm not sure that he's straight line fast the way we think of it, but I don't think that matters for NFL running backs for the most part. But no, I think he'll be a really good back. You know, it's interesting in talking to people, there are some people, and you might disagree with this totally, but there are some people in the league who think that Omarion Hampton is a better NFL prospect than Genty. And I guess we'll find out. But there's no question the contact balance, the low center of gravity, he's only five, eight and a quarter, five eight and a half. So he's very low to the ground. He's very tough to get a clean hit on. And he's got that ability just to sort of. It's not power per se. It's not like he runs over People he pinballs off people, he absorbs it and continues. And that's a very rare trait. And he's got that. And I mean, he'll be a good pro. You know, again, it's always hard to know, you know, running backs are hard, Colin. I'll tell you why. Who would have thought what, three, four years ago that Kyron Williams coming out of Notre Dame would be an NFL feature back and have 316 carries last year, you know, and not even play the final game of the season. So it's very difficult with a lot of these backs. So much is dependent on team and scheme.
- [27:18]
Greg Cosell
So Travis Hunter, I do think Ohtanian baseball is something that we're all shocked to see. But I do think going forward we're going to see a few Travis hunters. We're going to see kids now athletically that can play both sides of the ball. His motor is weird. He can play 88 snaps and on the 88th snap, he looks like it's his third snap of the game. I would prefer getting him the ball than defending the ball. When you watch tape, is he a better receiver or corner?
- [27:50]
Dan Morgan
I would probably say at this point in time he's probably a better receiver. But I think that corners, you know, you can always find quality receivers. Really good corners are tougher to find. And I think in terms more of preparation. Colin, do you think, and I, you know, do you think you can be a part time corner? You know, think of it this way. Imagine if you're, you know, he's not going to be on the Eagles. But just think of it this way. Imagine Nick Sirianni walking into Vic Fangio on a Wednesday, you know, as they're preparing for a game and saying, hey, coach Vic, you know, today Travis is going to be with the offense, not with you. Well, Vic's going to tell him, well then you know what? He's not, he's not playing on Sunday because you know what, we're putting in 15 new things and if he's not here for the practice and the meetings and all the things that we're going to do, you know, I don't care how gifted he is, but you know what? If he makes a mistake, we're giving up a 60 yard touchdown. So to me it's not whether he's physically capable of doing it. He may be that freakish guy. That is because what he did in college is absolutely remarkable. It's ridiculous. But I think it's more about the preparation during the week. I'm not sure you can Be a part time outside corner in the NFL and start. I don't mean being a nickel or any of that. I mean playing, you know, 70 snaps at outside corner because there's too much, I think that goes into the preparation with that in conjunction with the rest of your defense, whereas you can be a part time receiver in terms of playing 15 or 20 snaps in given packages. So I'm not sure that's going to work out. But I mean, he's obviously a uniquely gifted athlete.
- [29:23]
Greg Cosell
Okay, so I know this is not a first round player or maybe a second round player, but. And I know his deep ball is erratic, but I said when I watch Kyle McCord, anything intermediate or under, he lets it rip, he's accurate, he can squeeze a ball into tight spots. He's played with a powerhouse and then he's played with Syracuse. He's wildly productive. He's a pure, he's a pocket guy. But I said he's a pocket guy, no question. So he's not going to be a first and probably a second round pick. But I said if, if McVay went and got him and he sat behind Stafford for two years. I look at Kyle McCordon, I'm like, I know he's not sexy athletically. That looks like a starting quarterback to me. If you told me there was a guy that got drafted in the fourth that in two years started and was effective, I like him. But. But he's just a pocket guy. So does that limit him in your evaluation?
- [30:16]
Dan Morgan
Well, let me ask you this. Everything you just said, and I just thought of this right now, and I'm sure people are going to say I'm crazy, but everything you just said, how would that be different from Shadir Sanders?
- [30:32]
Greg Cosell
Yeah, Shador maybe throws a better deep ball.
- [30:35]
Dan Morgan
Yeah, well, I agree with that. You know, McCord's an interesting guy because one of the things that really struck me when I watched him and I think he throws a good ball, he does have a tendency and I don't know if this can be cleaned up, it just might be the way he throws. He does have a tendency certain times to lift his back foot off the ground before he throws. And that impacts your velocity and your accuracy at times. But I like the player, you know, he's one of those guys. And I don't normally think like this, but just for you and I talking like, if 10 is the highest, to me he's like a seven in everything. You know, he's just, he's a solid player. It's possible that he could be a starting quarterback for sure. I mean, because now you get into team and scheme again, you know, if he's got a run game. And I know people are going to say, well, everybody needs this, but you and I both know that there are certain quarterbacks in the league that can overcome deficiencies, whether it's within their offense. If they don't have a great defense, they can overcome deficiencies because they can just make those wonderful individual plays. McCord is. You know, do you look at McCourt and think of Kirk Cousins in his prime in Minnesota? Do you see that?
- [31:40]
Greg Cosell
Yeah. I mean, a little bit. I remember Kirk at Michigan State. I think I will say, I think he's a more aggressive thrower than Kirk. He'd throw more picks. He's got a little Philip Rivers attitude. He lets it rip sometimes, and I don't think it's the best decision in the world. Whereas Kirk is pretty safe.
- [31:56]
Dan Morgan
Yeah. Although, I mean, if you told a team that drafted McCord and said, well, we think you're like Kirk Cousins, and cousins for what, four, five, six years in a row, threw 35 touchdowns and 10 picks every year, and you said, well, you know, if he could do that, I bet teams would say, that's pretty good. We'll take that.
- [32:12]
Greg Cosell
Yeah. Okay. I want to. I want to do this you've been doing. I have so much respect for you. I've always said there are certain positions that I can look at and go, oh, yeah, that works, like corner. There's not many good ones.
- [32:23]
Dan Morgan
Right.
- [32:23]
Greg Cosell
If you run a 4, 3, 5, like the kid at Texas, the corner, he's not fast enough to be a dominant corner, but he's a really good player, and he'll. He'll make it in the league. Will Johnson, by the way, is not a burner either. But if you play enough zone, Will Johnson from Michigan is going to be a very good NFL corner, but he's not a burner. He's not going to guard your speed guy. That's not what he is. But he's a typical Harbaugh, tough, smart player. So I. But I always think I can watch corner and go, yeah, that works in the NFL. I also think a lot of times, you know, quarterback's obviously very hard. People keep telling me, this is not a great offensive tackle draft. I want to talk and I want to ask you. So I watch Kelvin Banks in big games, and I'm like, yeah, that's a starting tackle. Is there a position in the NFL, college NFL, that you have struggled with and you just have to watch it in the NFL. Like when I watch Kelvin Banks, I'm like, I think he's, is he close to Joe Alt? But everybody's telling me now there's no great tackles. How do you look at tackle? Because it's a 330 pound man that needs good feet. And is that a position that you've struggled with for years and you're like, I just got to watch it in pros first?
- [33:33]
Dan Morgan
Well, there's positions where I feel like I have to watch a lot of games because they're hard. And those two positions are corner and safety because you can go through games and depending on how the game plays out, they may not do a lot. So you have to sit and watch games and games and games. And I try to space out how I do corners and safeties because if you watch five or six in a row, Colin, I mean, let's face it, almost every corner you watch, unless he's terrible or unless he's ridiculously special, after a while, they all look kind of the same. They all, oh yeah, their hips are pretty good, they transition pretty good. You know, they start to look the same. So I space it out. But to get to offensive tackle, I think the litmus test for offensive tackles in the NFL, so you have to think about this when you're watching guys in college is can you pass protect one on one on third down? Because there's not one single offensive coordinator in this league that wants to keep a tight end or a back in on third down. They want to send five out and be as detailed and subtle with their route concepts as they can possibly be. So the litmus test for offensive tackles in the NFL is can they pass protect on third down, on third and long, and if you don't feel they can do that, then they're not NFL quality offensive tackles.
- [34:47]
Greg Cosell
Well, you know, let's end with this because Bruce Arian said about Jalen Milroe, he said, when I look at a college quarterback, how is he in the two minute drill and on third down? And he goes, I don't see Jalen Milroe being a guy that on a big third down when everybody in the ballpark knows you're throwing, or a two minute drill when everybody in the football stadium knows you're throwing, he goes, I just don't see that guy doing that. And I listen to Bruce Arians and he's a little mechanical for me. Great kid, but do you look at quarterbacks the same way? As I always say in the NFL, the Difference between the haves and have nots is third and eight. And Big Fangio knows you're throwing the topic well.
- [35:26]
Dan Morgan
Yeah, it's the, yeah, the NFL with quarterbacks are the must have downs, third downs, red zone, you know, two minute end of game, the must have situations. But I will say this, and this is where the game has changed and just not speaking totally about Millereau, but the fact is, how many quarterbacks now beat you on third down with their legs? It changes the game, particularly in the red zone. I mean, look at Jalen Hurts. I mean, the game has changed to the point where it's third and eight. You have to defend differently now because the quarterback can run, you know, Bruce Arians, and he certainly knows more than I do. God, the guy was doing it for years and years and years, you know. But the bottom line is it's not just now about dropping back and sitting in the pocket. Some guys it is. That's the way Shador Sanders is going to have to beat you. But Jalen Milro, who's obviously not the refined passer that Sanders is at this moment in time, when it's third and eight, the defense has to play differently because he can take off and run for 20 yards.
- [36:26]
Greg Cosell
Yeah. Okay. Out this week, the tape notebook as we look at some Jaylen Milro, a comprehensive draft guide. The best in the business. Greg Cosell, as always, my friend, it's.
- [36:35]
Dan Morgan
Good talking, Colin, really enjoyed it. Thanks so much.
- [36:39]
Greg Cosell
Yeah, so, yeah, it's, it's, it's, it's kind of fascinating when you. The quarterback position is obviously very hard because, you know, it's a leadership position. I, you know, I was talking yesterday to a general manager and we were talking about the jets and Aaron Glenn, and it's similar to quarterbacks. He said, coaches are CEOs. Now. Sean McVeigh's a CEO. He goes. Now sometimes you get lucky and you get Andy Reid, who's a CEO and a schematic genius. Belichick was that defensively. Shanahan is that. He goes, but you're hiring a CEO. That's what your coach is. You've got coordinators to call plays. You're the CEO. Belichick would have the headset on, not calling plays, not even doing deep. He's doing situational coaching.
- [37:25]
Colin Cowherd
Right.
- [37:25]
Greg Cosell
Okay, big third down. Here's what we're going to do. He's coaching to win the game. A lot of times coordinators position coaches, you know, they're padding resumes. Right. And so when we were, I was talking about him. He said, it's just in college, it's different. You can be calling plays. Lane Kiffin, you're recruiting, you're dominating personnel in the NFL. You're a CEO. Aaron Glenn was not a very good CEO with Aaron Rodgers. He tried to go rogue. He tried to go alpha. He's like, that's, that's not what a good CEO does. So this person, this executive said, that's just bad CEOing by Aaron Glenn. And that's what a pro coach is. Yeah, occasionally you get McVeigh, who also is good with schematics. Most of them aren't. And it's the same with quarterback, is that it would be great if everybody's great from the pocket. And though Lamar Jackson's always been better from the pocket than anybody acknowledges, the truth is what Greg said is true. You have to defend Lamar differently. You just can't. By the way, good luck playing man to man against Lamar Jackson, because once a defensive back turns, boom, he's off and running. So a guy like Jalen Milroe is going to see more zone than Shador Sanders. Shador is not going to take off and run. So you can play man to man. Very hard to play man to man with Anthony Richardson or, or a Jalen Milroe or a quarterback that likes to run. So there Bo Nix. By the way, last year, Bo Nix ran a ton. He not running against the zones. Bo Nix is running against man. Corners turn their back, boom, he's off and running. So it's all, you know, contextualize all. But it's fun. 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, 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 call, 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.
- [39:59]
T-Mobile Representative
And if you miss any of the.
- [40:00]
Greg Cosell
Live show, just search kobeno'enrich wherever you get your podcasts. And of course on social media, that's Covino and Rich.
- [40:07]
Colin Cowherd
Balancing work, family and education isn't easy, but American Public University makes it possible with online courses, monthly start dates and flexible schedules. APU is designed for busy professionals who need education that fits their lives. And Affordability matters too. APU offers the opportunity grant, giving students 10% off undergraduate and master's level tuition, helping you reach your goals without breaking the bank. Plus, they provide career services and 24. 7 mental health support at no extra cost. Visit Apu Apus Edu to learn more. That's Apu Apus Edu.
- [40:55]
Dan Morgan
I've got Dan Morgan here on the pod. Say hi Dan. Hey, how's it going today? It's going good, man. Tell us who you are and what you do. I'm Dan Morgan. I'm an attorney and a managing partner at Morgan and Morgan, which is America's largest injury law firm. That's pretty awesome. I think I saw a billboard of yours recently that said 20 billion one 20 billion is an insane number. Yeah, 20 billion recovered. It's actually, I think somewhere north, probably closer to 22, 23 after this year. And each year we get bigger and badder and our army grows. So the number will hopefully keep getting bigger and bigger as time goes on. Awesome. So how does someone get in contact with Morgan and Morgan? What would I do if I got into an accident? Probably the easiest way is dialing pound law. That's £529 from your cell phone. We are always open. Our call center is always waiting to take your call. 247365 wow. Dan Morgan from Morgan & Morgan, America's large injury law firm. Thanks for coming by the show. Thanks for having me. Visit forthepeople.com for an office near you.
- [41:54]
Colin Cowherd
Looking to transform your business through better HR and payroll? Meet Paycor, a Paychex company. The powerhouse solution that empowers leaders to drive results. From recruiting and development to payroll and analytics, paycor connects you with the people, data and expertise you need to succeed. Their innovative platform helps you make smarter decisions about your most valuable asset, your people. Are you ready to become a Better Leader? Visit paycor.com leaders to learn more that's paycor.com leaders T Mobile's stats are as.
- [42:29]
T-Mobile Representative
Impressive as your favorite athlete's highlight reel because T Mobile helps keep you connected from the heart of Portland to right where you are on America's largest 5G network switch. Now keep your phone and T Mobile will pay it off up to $800 per line via prepaid card. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com KeepAndSwitch up to 4 lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device, credit service report in 90 days device and eligible carrier and timely redemption required Card is no cash access and expires in six months.
- [42:58]
Greg Cosell
I think Houston's gonna upset Golden State. Golden State's got a Jonathan Kaminga issue. We it's. I think it's gonna be wide open outside. You know, Oklahoma City's not playing Boston. They get the buys. Other than that, it's. I mean, I don't think Detroit's gonna beat New York, but I think they're gonna make the Knicks sweat for it. So who are the 10 best players in the playoffs to keep your eye on? Number one's an easy one. Nikola Jokic. Listen to this. The Nuggets were plus 594 when he was on the floor this year and minus 275 when he wasn't an 800 point swing. I mean he's just after Kareem. He's the best center I've ever seen. His dexterity is incredible. He's the best player. I'm gonna give Giannis the number two player defensively much better than Jokic. I worry about him shooting free throws late, 61% on the year, so he's got a little Shaq liability late in games. But one of the more dominant athletes in the NBA. I think he played his best late in the year. Giannis is two sga, number three, very good defender with an insane wingspan for a point guard. Led the NBA in scoring. I'm not sure he's going to get the whistle, but he's just a. He's just a bucket. I mean that's just all there is to it. He is just a bucket. Again. Plays real defense and that's why I put him three and I put Luka at four who tends to get worn out in the playoffs and is a defensive liability. But passing and shooting and scoring, he can just take over games. There will be stretches in this playoff where he looks like the best player in the world and I can't wait to watch it because he doesn't have to carry the offense, but he's the most gifted player on offense and this is going to be a real statement series for him because he came to the Lakers off an injury, wasn't in great shape. I can't wait to watch it. Number five, Steph Curry. Best player in the game without the ball. Great free throw shooter, great three point shooter, ball handler. He is the culture and playoff. Jimmy's going to take a little pressure off him now. It's a tough matchup against the Rockets. Amen. Thompson's their best athlete and this is gonna be a work, a working series for him. But I think he's number five. Jayson Tatum, who does everything very well, although not necessarily everything great, but he's very good at everything, is sick. This is not a knock on him. It's just, you know, he doesn't have a lot of iconic moments or moves. And there are moments that Jaylen Brown feels like he's going to take the big shot. Jayson Tatum, though, leads the Celtics and the stuff that matters, points, rebounds, assists. All through last year's run, he's number six. Number seven is Ant, who I just don't think is as refined as Jayson Tatum is as a player. Yet he led the NBA in made threes this year, so that's a real thing. He's going to have to score 40 plus in multiple games for the T Wolves to beat the Lakers. He was. It's a very hot team entering the playoffs. He doesn't have a lot of help on offense. I don't trust Julius Randle in the playoffs, although I like Julius Randle as a player. So I would put ant 7 and this just really indicates how good the playoffs are now. You think I'm crazy putting LeBron 8, but I don't get a consistent defensive effort from LeBron. And I also think there are going to be moments in these playoffs where LeBron's going to let Luka take over. So LeBron is the best closer in the NBA. And what do I mean by that? He led the league in shots made in the fourth quarter. LeBron also right now is often the first or second best player in the league in spurts. He's very smart and calculated. He will save himself for later in games. But SGA and Jokic could could end the game in the second quarter. That's not really what LeBron is right now. I put him eight. Number nine, Kawhi Leonard again. Do you get six or seven games per series? I don't know, but he's playing great late in the season. Real minutes. I mean, five, six years ago, I mean, we were like, he's a less dynamic Jordan. I mean, he's a get a bucket. Huge hands, really good defender, incredibly strong for his weight. KAWHI Leonard, number nine. Number 10, Donovan Mitchell, former Utah Jazz, led the team. Best offense in the league. Very efficient. He just a real pro. He's just gotten better and better, but his team's never advanced past the second round. Cleveland's a team that doesn't get a lot of love during the regular season, but they feel like a more adult Oklahoma City, where there are like what Oklahoma City is going to be next year in the playoffs. So Cleveland, we've been waiting for them. Oh, last two years we've been like, oh. And they just. The NBA is a baby steps league and that Cleveland just wasn't ready. I think Cleveland's now ready and I think they could beat the Celtics. They're built to beat the Celtics. They're a tough matchup for the Celtics, but I think Boston's better than we're giving them credit for. So Those are my 10 best players. I know what you're going to say. Well, Jason Tatum, 6. Because the five guys ahead of Jayson Tatum, if I said to you I need a bucket now, I would trust. I would trust the five guys ahead to get a bucket now. I think Tatum has got great dexterity and does everything well, but there are times in big spots where I'm not quite sure I want him or Jaylen Brown shooting. But now Tatum's had his best year. I know this will be viewed as a, as a shot, but everybody loves Ann Edwards and I think Jason's a more complete player than Anne Edwards right now.
- [48:39]
Dan Morgan
Two things that jump out. If Kawhi is right and he's healthy, he could easily be two or three. And so if we believe that he's going to have a healthy playoff run, considering he's probably been the best player in the league the last six weeks.
- [48:52]
Greg Cosell
Well, he also is like a Jimmy Butler. Kawhi usually plays better in the playoffs.
- [48:56]
Dan Morgan
Yeah.
- [48:57]
Greg Cosell
So he's. There's no question. I have like Jimmy Butler just missing the list.
- [49:02]
Dan Morgan
Yeah. But I just. The Clippers are the wild card team. Everyone, I think, is scared of what they could be. The other thing, and I mentioned this the other day, you have Mitchell there at 10. I went and saw Nick's Cavs the other day and it was, it was unbelievable to me to see how connected Cleveland was. They have such a great feel to them. They're so incredibly deep. Yeah, I don't know if they're quite there but they're dangerous and I certainly that Mobley and Allen in the front court and then the guards, Garland and Mitchell. That is lethal.
- [49:32]
Greg Cosell
Yeah, no they're really well run. They've done a really good job. So it is. Listen, it's top heavy Celtics, OKC and Cleveland feel better than everybody else. I think the Lakers are the best of the next group but I mean Oklahoma City's good but really young. Cleveland and Boston I think are the two best teams built for the playoff. OKC was the best regular season team. Cleveland, Boston I think are built for the best playoff run size. They can both defend you coaching. Yeah, they can both defend you at the rim, on the wing, at the point. They just. They offer a lot of stuff. I'm excited for it. We got a. I mean Indiana, Milwaukee.
- [50:09]
Colin Cowherd
Balancing work, family and education isn't easy, but American Public University makes it possible with online courses, monthly start dates and flexible schedules. APU is designed for busy professionals who need education that fits their lives. And Affordability matters too. APU offers the opportunity grant, giving students 10% off undergraduate and master's level tuition, helping you reach your goals without breaking the bank. Plus they provide career services and 247 mental health support at no extra cost. Visit Apu Apus Edu to learn more. That's Apu Apus Edu looking to transform your business through better HR and payroll? Meet Paycor, a paychecks company. The powerhouse solution that empowers leaders to drive results from recruiting and development to payroll and analytics. Paycor connects you with the people, data and expertise you need to succeed. Their innovative platform helps you make smarter decisions about your most valuable asset. Your people. Are you ready to become a better leader? Visit paycor.com leadership to learn more. That's paycor.com leaders Ah, come on.
- [51:31]
Greg Cosell
Why is this taking so long?
- [51:33]
T-Mobile Representative
This thing is ancient. Still using yesterday's tech Upgrade to the ThinkPad X1 carbon ultra light. Ultra powerful and built for serious productivity with Intel Core Ultra processors. Blazing speed and AI powered performance that keeps up with your business, not the other way around. Whoa.
- [51:49]
Dan Morgan
This thing moves.
- [51:50]
T-Mobile Representative
Stop hitting snooze on new tech. Win the tech search@lenovo.com Lenovo Lenovo unlock AI experiences with the ThinkPad X1 carbon powered by Intel Core Ultra processors so you can work, create and boost productivity all on one device.
- [52:08]
Greg Cosell
We live in a divided country and our media couldn't be more polarizing.
- [52:12]
Dan Morgan
That's why we started the Middle with Jeremy Hobson.
- [52:14]
Greg Cosell
It's about bringing voices not from the extremes, but from the vast middle into the national conversation. Each week we hear from ordinary Americans from all over the country. And when you subscribe to the Middle, you also get an episode each week called One Thing Trump did that focuses on just one item from the avalanche of news. Listen to the Middle with Jeremy Hobson on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.