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- [00:00]
Capital One Bank Guy
Banking with Capital One helps you keep more money in your wallet with no fees or minimums on checking accounts and no overdraft fees. Just ask the Capital One Bank Guy. It's pretty much all he talks about in a good way. He'd also tell you that this podcast is his favorite podcast too. Oh really? Thanks Capital One Bank Guy. What's in your wallet? Terms apply. See capitalone.com bank Capital One NA member.
- [00:27]
Wendy
FDIC Wendy's is the official hamburger of March Manners, which means more deals for you and more burgers for your face. It also means we got a junior bacon cheeseburger or a double stack for $1 with an in app offer and a purchase. It's hard not to get excited when there's an offer of two of the freshest hot off the grill burgers that Wendy's makes. The Junior Bacon Cheeseburger with the fresh beef, apple, wood, smoked bacon, cheese, crispy lettuce, tomato and mayo and a hot and juicy double stack with two patties of fresh never frozen beef with cheese, ketchup, mustard, pickled onion. The real champions of March Madness. Head to Wendy's app and grab a $1 junior bacon cheeseburger or a $1 double stack with an in app offer and a purchase for the freshest deal on fast food. Gotta be Wendy's.
- [01:11]
Jeremy Hobson
We live in a divided country and our media couldn't be more polarizing. That's why we started the Middle with Jeremy Hobson. It's about bringing voices not from the extremes, but from the vast middle into the national conversation. Each week we hear from ordinary American 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.
- [01:41]
Greg Rosenthal
What's up everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs, mock drafts to my top 101 free agents. Have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
- [02:10]
Capital One Bank Guy
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.
- [02:30]
Jason McIntyre
This is the Best of the Herd with Colin Cowher on Fox Sports Radio. Hello and welcome to the Herd. It's a beautiful Tuesday in the sports world. The Florida Gators are national champions. Oh, yeah. Gotta love it. It's me, Jason McIntyre, in for Colin Coward. I'm joined today by with Alex Curry. Alex, how are you? No Dodger Bl today.
- [02:58]
Alex Curry
Yes, yes, we got it. We got to mix it up a bit, but did you pick Florida?
- [03:02]
Jason McIntyre
I did, yes.
- [03:03]
Alex Curry
I'm like, did we talk about that yesterday?
- [03:05]
Jason McIntyre
You know, we talked about that.
- [03:06]
Alex Curry
You kind of just talked about how sad you were about Duke. So I'm like, I don't even know if we actually talked about who you were taking.
- [03:12]
Jason McIntyre
I had Florida. I think I mentioned it briefly. We didn't dive into the game, but it was a bit of a thriller.
- [03:17]
Alex Curry
Dude, you gotta love when it comes down to the last minute of the game. That's all you can hope for in, like, a championship final game. So good job.
- [03:25]
Jason McIntyre
Yeah, that was great. We got a big show ahead. Former NBA center Ryan Hollins on the show. Joining us in studio, NFL running back Aaron Jones in the house. I'm very excited to talk to a guy who's played with Aaron Rodgers. What does he know about J.J. mcCarthy? We'll do some NFL draft stuff, but obviously, folks, we have to start with the Florida Houston thriller in the national championship last night. I mean, what a game. It went from bad to, oh, this is gross, the refs are ruining it to, holy cow, what a comeback by Florida. And folks, I'm sure you've heard about the great bestselling book Grit, right? The passion and perseverance in life. And essentially one of the big takeaways from the book is those who are going to succeed in life. One of the great predictors of success is do you have grit? Are you just throwing in the towel at the first sign of a problem? Are you bailing? Or are you going to figure out the how to solve the problem and get through it? And this season in college basketball, we saw the Florida Gators lose three really close games. They were excellent all season. Only lost four games. One was a blowout, but three close ones. And what happened in the NCAA tournament? Comebacks in the second half four times by the Gators. The Cardiac Gators. They came back when they were trailing UConn Texas Tech. They were down 10. Auburn on Saturday, they were down nine in the second half. And then last night down 12 against Houston. I'm told by all the guys who cover college basketball all season you can't come back against Houston. The defense is just too tough. Florida said, hold my beer, please. And the Gators storm back with a thrilling final minute. Folks, look at these comebacks that they've had all tournament. And the game against Houston last night was just the perfect capper. Houston had three possessions in the final minute. They didn't get a shot off and they turned the ball over three times. That, my friends, was incredible. And how about the grit displayed by the great Walter Clayton? Now he's a divisive figure in NBA circles. What's he going to be? You know, you got, you got a punted at ESPN saying you got to take him third in the draft.
- [05:29]
Capital One Bank Guy
What?
- [05:30]
Jason McIntyre
Let's not go that overboard. Listen, I like Walter Clayton a lot. He had zero baskets. Zero for the first 32 minutes of the national championship. Is a guy who had back to back 30 point games. He had 34 against Auburn. He had no baskets. What he did, did he panic? No, no, he just attacked the basket, buried a three, had nine clutch points in the final eight minutes and Florida is champ. Here's their coach, Todd golden talking about how defense rode the way. We've been a top 10 defense all year also and we've been able to stand up against really good offensive teams and find a way to get stops. We held them scoreless the last 220. And Walter, great closeout and condo, great hustle play to win the game. And that's what made this team special all year, is that we could win different ways. And we showed that again tonight. I got to be honest, guys, I'm not going to lie. I was on Florida. I was extremely nervous. Down 12. I thought, how are they going to pull this off? Even when Houston had the ball in the final 20 seconds with a chance to win the game. I love the Florida adjustments. Defensively, they blitzed both of the Houston guards, USAN and Crier. We're not letting you shoot it. We're going to double you. And they get it over to Sharpe who has, for my money, just the most unfortunate, memorable mistake at the end of a college basketball national championship since Chris Weber called timeout a timeout he did not have against North Carolina. I felt so bad for the kid sharp. He had two turnovers in the final 25 seconds, dribbled it off his leg. It was like, oh, my gosh, that's devastating. I felt really bad for Houston, but at the same time, Houston Cougars fans. Now you know how us Duke fans felt on Saturday night as Duke was melting the game away, just handing it to Houston. Duke was up nine with three minutes left and gagged. Houston up 12 in the second half, and then can't even get a shot off in the fight. Look at that. Clayton, of course, with the closeout. Clayton heroic. A quick word on the refs, and I don't want to be bag on the refs guy. And anytime somebody says that they're going to be bag on the refs guy. The refs called four total fouls in the first half. That's it. They let Houston do what they wanted. Defensively, Houston is grabby and handsy. That's why the number one defense in the country. Well, what happened in the second half? The refs came out and were like, oh, wait, we. We can't allow this. We got to call everything. 26 fouls in the second half. So from 4 to 26. Well, what's the impact of 26 fouls in the second half? Well, Florida's able to actually run an offense, you know, without being held and jostled. And then Florida starts getting to the line. They hit their free throws. An amazing comeback, a great capper to folks. I'm going to go ahead and say I think this was the greatest final for this century. You had three games all determined in the final 90 seconds, and three games all the team that won had trailed at halftime. I think it was a phenomenal final four. All right, let's pivot to the NFL draft and oh, boy, things are getting spicy at the top. Now, I do want to preface this by saying, by nature, I think I'm a risk taker. I could tell you stories about my family coming from the Caribbean to America back in the 60s and 70s, but I won't bore you with that. However, I myself am a risk taker. Many of you who know my story, I was at a magazine in New York City. I decided to quit to run a sports blog full time. You can imagine how that went. Over to the future in laws.
- [08:56]
Aaron Jones
Oh.
- [08:56]
Jason McIntyre
So, Jason, how's work? Yeah, I quit my job to run a sports blog and I get this blank state. What's that? You know, this was like 2006, 7. And I obviously got a little lucky with it and it paid off. But taking a risk worked. So nine years ago, you know, Colin Cowherd and Fox come to me and they're like, hey, would you move across the country to try your hand at tv? Risk taker, Jason? Yeah, let's give it a shot. Why not? Family was like, are you sure about this? So far, so good. We'll see what the future holds. But taking risks in life, you know, high reward, high risk. I like being a risk taker. I do some gambling. I don't mind playing the card games in Vegas. Enter the Cleveland Browns, who are in risky territory at number two. If we assume Cam Ward is going one to Tennessee, which everybody has, what's happening at two is all over the place. So everybody knows one of the best newsbreakers in the NFL is Adam Schefter. He does a great job. In February, he said it made sense for the Browns to draft Shador, a quarterback. Not Shador, a quarterback at 2. In March, he came out and said, you know what? Abdul Carter is the lean right now for the Browns. Here we are in April and Schefter comes out this week and says, you know, it looks like Travis Hunter is going to go to to the Browns. Folks, nobody knows what Cleveland's going to do. Let's stop pretending like anyone has a clue. It all comes down to what would you do? And this is where I get risky and I say, I'm taking Shador Sanders. I understand he doesn't have elite arm strength. He doesn't have elite escapability. He doesn't have elite size. I mean, you know, frankly, he doesn't didn't have elite protection at Colorado. So I don't think we've seen the best. Shador Sanders. Could he be Tua, a highly accurate quarterback who's kind of sort of limited by his size? Sure, he could be Tua. I. I don't think that would be the worst thing in the world. Who is a good quarterback? He's had a couple good runs. If he could stay healthy, you know, he's been paid. Dolphins got to the playoffs with him. Could he be Tua? Sure. Could Shador Sanders be Zach Wilson? Yeah, that would not surprise me either. Could he be Trey lance? Who? The 49ers. Riskily. Is that even a word? Traded up in the draft. They went up to get Trey Lance, who I believe is out of the league currently. He may end up on a roster, but I think the Cowboys have moved on with this new Joe Milton move. So, folks, do you risk it by going Shador Sanders at 2? I keep hearing Abdul Carter. He's safest, safest pick in the draft. Okay, well, you start to drill down on Carter. He's coming off a surgery. He's got like a foot thing. And then there are reports about, like, is he. Was he the hardest worker at Penn State? You know, maybe, maybe there's people trying to poison the water for Abdul Carter. I think he looks like a great football player, but safe. You know who else was safe? Chase Young coming out of Ohio State. Remember him? One of the Bosa twins? Not twins, sorry, Bosa brothers who was with the Chargers for a long time. I thought he was supposed to be safe. Like they just moved on from him, you know, good player, but he was supposed to be safe. What does safe mean? Is Travis Hunter that safe? Okay, great. You've got a wonderful wide receiver. What are you going to do with him? Go ask the Giants how that worked out with Malik Neighbors. They got three different quarterbacks throwing to him and they're not winning anything. So what is safe? And I'll counter that with, I go, I take the risk and I go, Shador Sanders. Because you know what? If I get Hunter and I got no quarterback throwing to him, I'm probably getting fired. If I'm the front office. If I got Abdul Carter and Miles Garrett coming off the edge, oh, exciting. I got no quarterback. But Jay, you're forgetting Kirk Cousins to Cleveland. What about the rumors? Well, guys, I, I looked it up. Kirk Cousins, his last five games in Atlanta, he had one touchdown and nine picks. He was benched. Now, could that be because of the Atlanta offense? Maybe. Could it be that Kirk Cousins is washed? That's also possible. Is he going to work out in Cleveland and the outdoor situations in that division? I don't know. He seems like an indoor quarterback to me. I know he went to Michigan State, but I don't think Kirk Cousins is a slam dunk. Let's not pretend that. That magical run by Joe Flacco where he won what, five games, they got to the playoffs and they got smashed by 50 because he threw two pick sixes. Let's not act like that is definitely going to duplicate itself with whoever you put in at quarterback. I take a risk and I grab Chadour. Could you wait until the second round and get Cowherd's favorite guy, Mr. McCord from Syracuse? Sure, you could do that. Guys, I just, I just went down the list of the best second round quarterbacks ever drafted. Brett Favre, home run with Green Bay, not his first team. Geno Smith, kind of sort of thriving now in a late season surge. It didn't happen with the jets, when they drafted him, he was a risk. Second round, he didn't work out with the Jets. Andy Dalton, I won't even say Cowherd's nickname for him, but he has zero career playoff wins. Could he be Jalen Hurts or Drew Brees, a second round quarterback who thrives and wins the Super Bowl? Sure, two quarterbacks won Super Bowls. Obviously, Boomer Esiason was the second round pick. You can hit on them. But this idea that, hey, Shador is a huge risk. Isn't everyone a risk? I mean, guys, I hate to break it to you. Cam Ward at 1, as much as I like him, he's a risk. He's good at Washington State, great at Miami. Is he going to work in the NFL? Nobody knows. And that's why we could talk about the NFL draft for nine months out of the year, because nobody knows a damn thing. But I'm telling you right now, if you want to be a risk taker, Shador Sanders is your guy at number two in the draft. Cleveland, I'm just here to help. That's all we do, Alex. We're trying to help these teams out. And I think you got to go. Shador Sanders, too, in the draft, it's.
- [14:51]
Alex Curry
Also like the most important position on the team. And if you have a gaping hole at the most, who, who's driving your ship, the most important position, you have to go after it if the option is there, especially at number two.
- [15:05]
Jason McIntyre
You know, and I, I hear all this talk, oh, well, you could draft Travis Hunter, then trade back in the first to get Shador. You don't report that the Saints love him at nine. Yeah, you gonna jump it up to eight? You giving up all that draft capital, it just feels like too many gymnastics.
- [15:19]
Alex Curry
I think that, like, when you say like, safe, I think the safest thing about both Travis and Shador is their leader, their coach, Deion Sanders, who is obviously Shadora's father, but a father figure for Travis. Like, he. We heard him talk about that and cry about that at his Heisman acceptance speech. He knows what it takes to win in the NFL, so he's preparing these guys to be able to be successful at that level. So I think when you say like safe, that might be the closest. Like, mentally, I think they'll be ready for it.
- [15:51]
Jason McIntyre
Safe or risk, you know, take chances in life. It's fun. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific, on Fox Sports Radio FS and the iHeartRadio app.
- [16:03]
Capital One Bank Guy
Banking with Capital One helps you keep more money in your wallet with no fees or minimums on checking accounts and no overdraft fees. Just ask the Capital One bank guy. It's pretty much all he talks about in a good way. He'd also tell you that this podcast is his favorite podcast too. Oh, really? Thanks. Capital One Bank Guy. What's in your wallet? Terms apply. See capitalone.com bank capital1na member FDIC.
- [16:32]
Jeremy Hobson
We live in a divided country.
- [16:34]
Jason McIntyre
I am a lifelong Republican with all.
- [16:36]
Jeremy Hobson
Kinds of different people.
- [16:38]
Alex Curry
You know, I'm a mother, I'm a grandmother.
- [16:40]
Jeremy Hobson
That's why we started the Middle with Jeremy Hobson. It's about bringing voices not from the extremes, but from the vast middle into the national conversation.
- [16:49]
Jason McIntyre
Anna, I'm calling from Las Vegas.
- [16:51]
Jeremy Hobson
Each week we bring together an all star panel. Mark Cuban, so great to have you on the Middle.
- [16:56]
Jason McIntyre
Thanks for having me. Jeremy.
- [16:57]
Jeremy Hobson
Neil Degrasse Tyson, welcome to the Middle.
- [16:59]
Aaron Jones
Thanks for having me.
- [17:00]
Jeremy Hobson
And hear from ordinary Americans from all over the country on the most important issues.
- [17:04]
Jason McIntyre
Hi, my name is Venkat. I'm calling you from Atlanta, Georgia.
- [17:08]
Jeremy Hobson
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.
- [17:16]
Aaron Jones
We should be examining what our government spends its money on and are these jobs necessary and what are we doing here? But that doesn't seem to be what we're doing in this situation.
- [17:24]
Jeremy Hobson
Listen to the Middle with Jeremy Hobson on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [17:30]
Greg Rosenthal
What's up everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs, mock drafts to my top 101 free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
- [18:00]
Bob Pittman
Hi, I'm Bob Pittman, chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia. I'm excited to introduce a brand new season of my podcast, Math and Magic Stories from the frontiers of Marketing. I'm having conversations with some interesting folks across across a wide range of industries to hear how they reach the top of their fields and the lessons they learned along the way that everyone can use. I'll be joined by innovative leaders like Chairman and CEO of Health Beauty, Tarang Amin.
- [18:25]
Jason McIntyre
The way I approach risk is constantly try things and actually make it okay to fail.
- [18:30]
Bob Pittman
I'm sitting down with legendary singer, songwriter and philanthropist Jewel.
- [18:34]
Jason McIntyre
I wanted a way to do something that I loved for the rest of my life.
- [18:38]
Bob Pittman
We're also hearing how leaders brought their businesses out of unprecedented times, like Stefan Bonsell, CEO of Moderna. It becomes a human decision to decide.
- [18:48]
Jason McIntyre
To throw by the window your business.
- [18:51]
Bob Pittman
Strategy and to do what you think.
- [18:52]
Jason McIntyre
Is the right thing for the world.
- [18:54]
Bob Pittman
Join me as we uncover innovations in data and analytics, the math and the ever important creative spark, the magic. Listen to math and magic stories from the frontiers of marketing on the iHeartRadio app. Apple Podcasts are wherever you get your podcast.
- [19:11]
Jason McIntyre
Welcome back. Our number two here on the herd, Jason McIntyre in for Colin Cowherd. I did text with him yesterday. The fishing excursions are going great. He's just catching stuff left and right. I'm joined today by Alex Curry. Alex, you a big fisher person?
- [19:25]
Alex Curry
So I was in Fiji in December and I caught my very first fish.
- [19:30]
Jason McIntyre
What a flex.
- [19:30]
Alex Curry
And I caught a barracuda. I'm not kidding you guys. This was the most thrilling and terrifying experience of my life. Life.
- [19:37]
Capital One Bank Guy
Wow.
- [19:38]
Alex Curry
And it like, it has like crazy teeth.
- [19:40]
Jason McIntyre
Yeah.
- [19:40]
Alex Curry
Comes right at you. Oh, wild.
- [19:43]
Jason McIntyre
So did you swim in the water in Fiji after that or were you like hell?
- [19:46]
Alex Curry
Oh, yeah. There's sharks. There's everything. Yeah. Here with the locals. Cuz I stayed on like a private surfing island. Notu. It's like the most magical place in the world. So you wake up every morning and you go fishing or surfing or snorkeling, like wherever.
- [19:57]
Jason McIntyre
Sounds good. But I hear trucks. I'm like, it's a bit of a pass for me. We got Ryan Hollands, NBA veteran. He's a tall guy. I'm just trying to recruit him on men's league team. He's very tall, played center. We could use him as a rim protector. But he's like, I'm in Houston, damn it. All right, we're gonna start here real quick. I'm gonna buzz through my five favorites to win the NBA championship. You're gonna vehemently disagree. Fan bases are going to be irked. Let's get started at number five, the Cleveland Cavaliers. I wanted to put the Knicks here so badly. I just, I can't do it because the Knicks are going to probably play the Celtics in the second round. The Cavs path will be easier since they are the number one seed. Dame Lillard unlikely to play the Rest of the way due to blood clots. I think things just line up for Cleveland to have their best season since LeBron left. Donovan Mitchell's great. I know they've slid a little bit lately here down the stretch, but they got nothing to play for. They got the number one seed locked up. Mitchell, Mobley, Allen, Garland. Love everything about this team. Cavs, fifth on my list of title contenders. Number four. Let's go with the Oklahoma City Thunder. What? Jason, they're the favorites. They are the favorites according to Vegas. I'm just not a believer. I know, I know. It's too hot of a take. Ryan Hollins. I could see him shaking his head over here. He's not happy with me already, folks, OKC got fat and happy. Beaten up on the east, blowing out the Orlando Magic and the wizards by like 50. I know, and listen, some of the Numbers, they are 9, 9 against the top teams in the west versus the Lakers, Warriors, Nuggets, Rockets and Wolves. It ain't going to be easy. And again, I saw them against Luka in the playoffs last year. He owned them. You could have your Lou Dort and your J Dub and Chet Holmgren. They're not winning the Finals. I have them. Number four on my list. Number three, ahead of the Thunder, Steph Curry's Golden State Warriors. What's not to love, man? One bad game against the Rockets, they're fine. If Podzemski can hit eight threes against the Lakers, they're fine. That won't happen again. I like what I've seen from Kuminga. I like the depth. But most of all, I like Steph Curry. As long as you're not allowed to grab him and hold him and foul him and chuck him and bury him like the Rockets did. Warriors should be fine. I don't want the Lakers to play them in the first round. I know the sheet here says The Lakers were 3 and 1 against the Warriors. Those wins were before the Anthony Davis trade. It's not a great matchup for the Lakers, but I do like the warriors as my third favorite to win the title. Check it in at number two. It's the Lakers. LeBron and Luca. Go ahead. Hate it all you want. I'm telling you guys. Luca, LeBron and Reeves is the best big three in the league. Period. End of story. I don't think the Celtics have as good of a big three. They have more depth, of course, and they're better 4, 5, 6. But the Lakers big three will take them to the Finals. All of a sudden, Denver's looking vulnerable, folks. No Jamal Murray. There's some quotes from Michael Malone making it sound like Jamal Murray may play in the playoffs. So now you're looking at a Russell Westbrook, Christian Brown backcourt. Are you kidding me? Those guys have no chance against Luka. Austin Reaves is just a superhero right now. And oh, by the way, LeBron's taking his foot off the gas because Luka's ready to take over. I just love this Lakers team. Second best chance to win the title and checking in at number one on the top, it's got to be the defending champion Celtics. They are the number two favorites plus 215 plus money for the Celtics to win the title. I don't know how you don't take that. Although the odds were probably better earlier this season. They won't have home court advantage against the Cavs. I don't think they'll need it. Cleveland did play them well at moments last at times last year. But when fully healthy, Porzingis, Horford, Holliday, White, Brown, Tatum. I mean Peyton Pritchard, by the way, is going to be sixth man of the year. That is a nasty, nasty top seven. I think Boston's got to be the team to beat. Lakers 2, Warriors 3, the OKC Thunder. Everybody loves SGA and the free throw free throw Merchants. And at number five, the Cleveland Cavs. Apologies to my Knicks. The Clippers also just missed out. Keep an eye on them. They're hot. And the Houston Rockets narrowly missed one more herd. The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the iHeartRadio app search heard to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like.
- [24:20]
Steve Covino
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 Enrich 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 Covino and Rich wherever you get your podcast. And of course, on social media, that's Covino and Rich.
- [25:17]
Capital One Bank Guy
Banking with Capital One helps you keep more money in your wallet with no fees or minimums on checking accounts and no overdraft fees. Just ask the Capital One bank guy. It's pretty much all he talks about in a good way. He'd also tell you that this podcast is his favorite podcast too. Oh, really? Thanks, Capital One Bank Guy. What's in your wallet? Terms apply. See capitalone.com bank capital1na member FDIC.
- [25:46]
Jeremy Hobson
We live in a divided country.
- [25:48]
Jason McIntyre
I am a lifelong Republican with all.
- [25:51]
Jeremy Hobson
Kinds of different people.
- [25:52]
Alex Curry
You know, I'm a mother, I'm a grandmother.
- [25:55]
Jeremy Hobson
That's why we started the Middle with Jeremy Hobson. It's about bringing voices not from the extremes, but from the vast middle into the national conversation.
- [26:03]
Jason McIntyre
Anna, I'm calling from Las Vegas.
- [26:05]
Jeremy Hobson
Each week we bring together an all star panel. Mark Cuban, so great to have you on the Middle.
- [26:10]
Jason McIntyre
Thanks for having me.
- [26:11]
Jeremy Hobson
Jeremy Neil Degrasse Tyson, welcome to the Middle.
- [26:13]
Aaron Jones
Thanks for having me.
- [26:14]
Jeremy Hobson
And hear from ordinary Americans from all over the country on the most important issues.
- [26:19]
Jason McIntyre
Hi, my name is Venkat. I'm calling you from Atlanta, Georgia.
- [26:22]
Jeremy Hobson
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.
- [26:31]
Aaron Jones
We should be examining what our government spends its money on and are these jobs necessary and what are we doing here? But that doesn't seem to be what we're doing in this situation.
- [26:39]
Jeremy Hobson
Listen to the Middle with Jeremy Hobson on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [26:45]
Greg Rosenthal
What's up everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs, mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
- [27:14]
Bob Pittman
Hi, I'm Bob Pittman, chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia I'm excited to introduce a brand new season of my podcast, Math and Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing. I'm having conversations with some interesting folks across a wide range of industries to hear how they reach the top of their fields and the lessons they learned along the way that everyone can use. I'll be joined by innovative leaders like Chairman and CEO of Health Beauty, Tarang Amin.
- [27:40]
Jason McIntyre
The way I approach risk is constantly try things and actually make it okay to fail.
- [27:45]
Bob Pittman
I'm sitting down with legendary singer, songwriter and philanthropist Jewel.
- [27:49]
Jason McIntyre
I wanted a way to do something that I loved for the rest of my life.
- [27:53]
Bob Pittman
We're also hearing how leaders brought their businesses out of unprecedented times, like Stefan Bonsell, CEO of Moderna. It becomes a human decision to decide.
- [28:03]
Jason McIntyre
To throw by the window your business.
- [28:05]
Bob Pittman
Strategy and to do what you think.
- [28:07]
Jason McIntyre
Is the right thing for the world.
- [28:08]
Bob Pittman
Join me as we uncover innovations in data and analytics, the math, and the ever important creative spark, the Magic. Listen to Math and Magic stories from the frontiers of Marketing on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.
- [28:23]
Jason McIntyre
Never a dull moment in the NBA. Breaking news. The Denver Nuggets, who won the NBA championship in 2023, have fired their head coach, Michael Malone, and their GM, Calvin Booth. Ladies and gentlemen, the playoffs start in like 10 days in the NBA. What is happening now? I was scurrying during the break to get some information. It's so weird because I think yesterday I alluded to Denver being a bit of a mess. And this morning I saw that Jamal Murray's hurt. And the way Michael Malone is talking lately, he's just talking kind of wild. But that has historically been his M.O. he's a queens guy, grew up in the Northeast. He's a tough talker. He's a little combative. Do you remember when the Lakers beat Denver one game in that series in the playoffs and he came back and, oh, the Lakers won one game. He's just basically, you guys are talking trash about us. I can't believe it. We're going to destroy them, he said. Like, put it in your pipe and smoke it. He was really just aggressive and this is his nature. And there are reports I'm reading that maybe he was kind of sort of losing the locker room in Denver. Again. He is a mouthy individual. There's nothing wrong with that. As a coach, you know that that can work for so long. But when you're not winning. The staff here found some numbers for Jokic in April. Okay, this is real. He's averaging 45 points, 12 boards and 10 assists in the month of April, they're 03. Like, how are you not winning in crunch time? They were looking at being the 3 seed. They could potentially fall to the 6, 7, 8, maybe into the plan. They don't have any wins with Jokic putting up huge stats. Now, obviously the Jamal Murray injury, and Jamal Murray always seems to be hurt. That's kind of damaging. You do have who I believe is the best player in the league, who I would have as MVP in Nikola Jokic putting up historic rate numbers. But it just doesn't seem to be working now early in the season. And Murray hasn't played in the last two weeks because he's. He's so banged up. And obviously that hurts. You know, Christian Brown and Russell Westbrook. That's not a backcourt that scares anybody. But one of the interesting things about Denver is that Malone historically doesn't like playing young guys. They don't always know how to play. There's a steep learning curve. You got to deal with a lot of dumb turnovers and bad shots. He likes to lean on veterans. So the GM of the Nuggets gave this big fat contract to Zeke Najee, who was one of these combine warriors, one of these workout dudes who's like, measurements through the roof, checks all the boxes he gets on the court, he can't play. And the GM still gives him a big extension, which was a blunder. They paid Michael Porter Jr. I don't know that he could guard half the guys in my men's basketball league. I like Aaron Gordon a lot. I think he's a good piece. I think Jokic is obviously a superstar. I didn't like the Russell Westbrook move, but it speaks to Malone having influence on the gm. Hey, man, go get me a veteran who's going to try hard and hustle. Michael Malone loves a good try hard, but the narrative of Denver trying hard is not there because they're not stopping anybody now. So you got mpj doesn't play defense. Russ is a bit of a train wreck and out of control. Jokic is dominating but looking around like, where's my help? And Jamal Murray's in street clothes again. So Denver is slip sliding badly in the west. And as the staff pointed out to me, Taylor Jenkins was fired by Memphis last week. They were in the top five in the West. And Ryan, who, you know, a longtime producer, he was actually my first radio show producer when I had a weekend show, said something smart. He's like, you know what? It kind of sort of feels like these teams don't think they can compete to win a title this year. So they're getting ahead of the coaching cycle for the summer. Hey, man, we ain't going to win. Let's just see if the assistant can be promoted. Let's see what he can do. If we could change some of the voices in the locker room. And let's think about the summer. So Memphis fires their coach two weeks before the playoffs. Denver fires their coach a week before the playoffs. The problem is Malone just won a title. He's the winningest coach in franchise history. He's been there for 10 years, and you fire him a week before the playoffs. Now, the staff is sending me some good stuff here. According to Ramona Shelburne, the situation in Denver is been tense and pressurized since the beginning of the year. Malone and Booth had big ideas and strong wills. Both are now gone. Again. This was a weird mix in the locker room. Apparently Booth and Malone didn't really like each other and get along. They did not talk and they spoke behind each other's backs. That's toxic, man. When are we going to start reading about are the Denver Nuggets wasting Jokic? His prime? I mean, that's probably got to come next. Now, I did see one of my buddies who's a huge Knicks fan. I mean, the body's not even cold in Denver and Knicks fans are like, can we get Michael Malone for Tibs? Can we, can we do that trade? Can we run up, move off Tibbs? Tibbs, by the way, in New York, is running his players into the ground. I think four, like the top 30 players, minutes wise, are on the Knicks. And you know what's going to happen when they get to the playoffs? They're going to be broken. Same thing happened to Tibbs in Chicago. Could Michael Malone, who instantly is going to vault to the top of every wish list around the league, hey, man, I would not be surprised if there's NBA teams right now looking, do we love our guy? Should we go after Michael Malone? I mean, I don't know that the Phoenix Suns would do it, but remember they ran off Frank Vogel, who I saw at an event a couple weeks ago. Very nice guy. Does watch the Herd shout out to Frank. They fired him after one year. Well, Budenholzer comes in, he beefs with Kevin Durant. The videos are out there. Now. KD has downplayed it, but would the Suns move off another coach? 2, 1 and Dones and bring in Michael Malone? I don't know. It's Possible, but. Oh, my gosh, Alex, any. I know it's. It's just breaking, and we're trying to get. Get our bearings here, but it's just kind of fascinating. Fire you could coach 10 days before the playoffs.
- [34:44]
Alex Curry
It feels weak. It feels weak to your fan base. It feels weak to the organization. You're still in a playoff position. You are in fourth in the west right now, and you are throwing in the towel saying, I. I don't. I don't think we can do it. I don't think we can win a championship. It just. It's not the mentality you want from a franchise organization at, like, the most important stretch of the regular season. When you're in a playoff position, you. You suck. Like, you. Oh, man. Like, you tough it out. You tough it out. Like, what are you gonna do? Someone's not gonna come in and make it better right now, the last week of the regular season and into the postseason. But it also. Because we were talking about Russell Westbrook's body language yesterday when he was talking to the media, and now it all kind of makes sense. Like, oh, things were, like, not good behind closed doors. And you might have thought that might have been the case. And he was kind of giving that energy and vibe off. And this is just.
- [35:43]
Jason McIntyre
Whoo.
- [35:44]
Alex Curry
It just. I. I don't agree with. When you are in a position to win and you are in a playoff position, a high playoff position, like, why would you do this?
- [35:57]
Jason McIntyre
Something weird.
- [35:57]
Alex Curry
Why would you. There's something more that we don't know.
- [35:59]
Jason McIntyre
I've been waiting for the Memphis story to come out on Taylor J. Jenkins, and nothing's come out. It's been a week. Maybe they're still waiting to do the Tick Tock, but. And not Tick Tock, the app, like the story of day to day, hour to hour. Got it. Okay, so we're still. Wait. We'll wait for that on Malone. But here's another interesting note. So the owner of the Denver Nuggets is Stan Kroenke, and he also owns the Rams. What do the Rams have a really unified front with McVay and Snead? They're like a tandem. They go everywhere together. They seem to get along great. They have a shared, unified vision. It doesn't appear. And I. Again, I don't know 100% if there is a shared, unified vision between Booth and Malone, but it sounds like Booth wanted to mix in some young guys, and Malone was like, no, thanks. I want veterans. Remember, he was reluctant to play Christian Brown at all. And I watched a video clip during the commercial about Brown meeting the media, and he just, he looks young, okay. He's playing with Jokic, Westbrook, Aaron Gordon. These guys have been around a lot of playoffs and Brown looks still kind of wide eyed and kind of shook and rattled. And I don't know. If your coach and the GM are not on the same page, it ain't gonna work. Listen, if Alex and I are not getting along or we totally disagree, this is gonna look awkward. And I think the audience is gonna tell.
- [37:17]
Alex Curry
Yeah, but again, like, then let the GM go right now. Fire the gm, but keep your head coach.
- [37:22]
Jason McIntyre
Yeah. Malone has won so much.
- [37:24]
Alex Curry
Like, it was a 20, 23, won an NBA championship. He is your winningest coach in franchise history. He's been with the team for 10 years.
- [37:32]
Jason McIntyre
His story coming from the Kings, where he got run off.
- [37:34]
Alex Curry
Yeah.
- [37:35]
Jason McIntyre
Where again, he is a combative guy. And listen, you can only battle with management long enough when you're winning. Yeah, right. Hey, I'm gonna say what I want. I'm gonna do what I want. We're on top. I don't give up. You know, now you're certainly losing, sliding in the standings, and all of a sudden maybe the locker room, then it's easy to move off of them and you just make it a package deal. Let's get both of them the hell out of here.
- [37:56]
Alex Curry
But not right now. Right now doesn't. You're. You're in fourth place. You still have like a winning record.
- [38:02]
Jason McIntyre
There was video of Malone talking about Jamal Murray and talking about his team. And I think there was a loss Monday to the Pacers. That was what it was on Monday. And he came out and is basically like, yeah, nobody watches their minutes on film. Nobody watches film. He's like taking shots at his players. Like, I try to teach these guys to watch film. They don't want to watch film. Hey, listen, it's tough to teach an old dog new tricks. I'm sure it's difficult to tell veteran Russell Westbrook, who's been in the league for like 15 years, hey, man, let's watch some film together. Hey, I'm a mvp. I'm a triple double machine. I'm going to the hall of Fame. I'm good on the film. Carmelo Anthony ran into some of this at the end of his career when he's bouncing around. It's tough to teach old dogs new tricks. And it's like, I don't know. I'm not. I'm not ready to side with Michael Malone yet. Obviously, More information is going to come out. This literally just broke eight minutes ago. But the Denver Nuggets have fired their head coach. Who won a championship. Must have been like 20, 20, 23. Yeah, 2023 is like within the last two years.
- [39:05]
Aaron Jones
Yeah.
- [39:05]
Jason McIntyre
Unbelievable. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9:00am Pacific. All right, we got a special guest in studio. I'm sure you guys recognize him. Legendary NFL running back. He's carried me to a fantasy championship. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings, played for the Packers. How you doing, man?
- [39:26]
Aaron Jones
I'm doing great. Are you?
- [39:27]
Jason McIntyre
Yeah, I'm, I'm happier now that you're here. We had a great combo during the commercial break. My favorite stuff is just asking him random questions. But first, you recently participated in the NFL USO tour, visiting US Service members at military bases in Kuwait. I've never been to that part of the world. What's that like?
- [39:45]
Aaron Jones
It was amazing. I grew up a military child. My, my dad served 29 years, retired as a command sergeant major. My mom served 27 and retired as a sergeant major. So for me, it was a big part of giving back. Going over there. It was a full circle moment. One of the bases that we stopped at, Air of John in Kuwait. My mom was deployed there in 2003. So completely full circle moment. Then just getting to go over there, talk to soldiers, lift them up, you know, give them that little bit of joy. I know what it's like having parents deployed. And when, when one person serves, the whole family serves. You feel those hardships. Also got to see high school, high school basketball teammates or kids who went to other schools, guys from El Paso or people who were stationed at Fort Bliss. So that was surreal. Got my hair cut by one of my high school basketball teammates who's a barber now. I was sitting in the barracks with the guys, just hanging out. Midnight child eating in the defect, eating lunch with them, doing everything they. They did, but just also being there, meeting with them, talking to them and trying to lift them up.
- [40:51]
Jason McIntyre
Dude, that sounds awesome, man. I did hear you say high school basketball. So you were football and basketball in high school? Just dominating both or.
- [40:58]
Aaron Jones
No, track as well? Football, basketball. I ran track, yes, sir.
- [41:01]
Jason McIntyre
Wow. Do you. Would you rather start with the packers or the Vikings? Because. Shocker. I've got some Aaron Rodgers questions for.
- [41:06]
Aaron Jones
You wherever you want to start.
- [41:08]
Jason McIntyre
Let's start with the Packers. So you're, you're drafted by Green Bay, but there's the log jam at running back. And as you were telling us during the break it's like you had a big champion in the organization. Tell us how you first got on the field.
- [41:19]
Aaron Jones
Really? It was a Rod. He went over to the sidelines like, I want 33 in the game, signaling from the field, but then went over there and was like, I want 33 in the game. And I'm looking down, I'm like, hey, that's me. Let's go. So, like, I always tell people, I think people have the wrong perspective of him or whatever. If you're a player, you've been around him, you'll. You're. You'd be thankful for your time around him and what he's done for you in your career. So he really helped jumpstart my career, gave me that confidence and continued to give me that confidence.
- [41:50]
Jason McIntyre
So why do you think he gets a bum rap in the media if he's so loved by so many teammates?
- [41:56]
Aaron Jones
Because the, the media can sway, sway whatever you say, whichever way they want to, whether you meant it in a certain type of way or whether you didn't. So I feel like it's part of that.
- [42:09]
Jason McIntyre
Yeah. Now your time with the Packers, a lot was written about McCarthy versus Rogers at the end. There was some kind of cold war. They didn't talk. Whatever. I don't know what, what did you see in Green Bay near the end? Because you guys had a great, great run.
- [42:22]
Aaron Jones
You know, I was a fifth round guy, so my head was just down trying to stay out the way. But it was, it was. We, we. We were like a middle of the pack team. We win, win, lose, win, lose, and a lot of it dep a Rod was healthy and out there, able to play. We went as he went. And so he, once he got back healthy, we were great. So I feel like he was a big part of a big part of us. You know, when he was out there, we were doing great.
- [42:52]
Jason McIntyre
Yeah, I guess playing in Green Bay as like a running back at the time, you know, the running back position was still highly thought of, but in the last few years, it kind of dipped down. Did you notice it as one of the top running backs in the league, that, hey, man, we're not getting paid, we're not getting respected?
- [43:06]
Aaron Jones
What was that, like, 100%, you know, as you're, as you're going through contract negotiations or you're seeing what other guys are getting across to other positions and you can kind of see what's going on and you start talking all the backs as a whole, not just the running backs on your team, but across the league, you Guys start talking and everybody's kind of feeling a consistence of that way of, hey, they're trying to devalue us, devalue our position, but we bring so much value to the, to the game, you know. But luckily, guys bought out this year. Saquon did what he did and was really able to help the running back market kind of get back a little bit to where it's supposed to be. I still think it should be a little bit better. But the reason I say that, because you have a think about how many times a running back is touching the ball, a game versus a receiver. Number three.
- [44:00]
Jason McIntyre
Yeah.
- [44:01]
Aaron Jones
You know, we're picking up blocks as well or we're lining up our wild running routes. So, yeah, I, I feel it. But hey, I'm not complaining. I'm happy that it's gotten bumped up, but I'm, I'm advocating for the backs, not complaining, advocating.
- [44:16]
Jason McIntyre
So you're in Green Bay. I had to look this up. So you guys are doing well and then they draft AJ Dillon and at that point, you know, you're one of the top acts in the league, but are you like, guys, what are we doing? I'm the guy, or is that just part of the job? Like, you always got to be looking.
- [44:28]
Aaron Jones
Over your shoulder as you learn your time in league. That's just part of the business. They're always trying to either bring somebody in to replace you and if they can't replace you, they're there, or if maybe not to replace you, they're there to team them up with you and you guys go to work together. But that's part of your job to know that, hey, they're bringing some. They're trying to replace me every year. They're trying to bring somebody in every year. And that's your. It's your job to stay on top of everything and put in that work. So, so when it, when that those challenges do present itself, you're. You're still on top.
- [45:03]
Jason McIntyre
Could you see, like, oh, damn, it's probably ending soon for me in Green Bay. I need another landing spot because very rarely do people stay in the division.
- [45:13]
Jeremy Hobson
Right.
- [45:15]
Aaron Jones
Definitely did not see it coming to an end. I finished the, the year off strong. I got hurt earlier the year scoring a touchdown against Chicago. Battled the hamstring for a little bit. Then once I was back out there, I feel like I helped lead us to the playoffs and essentially a first round win. So everything I was being told from the organizations, hey, you're the heart and soul of this team. You'll be back here. So didn't turn in my iPad. Didn't do anything because I'm under. I'm thinking I'm coming back. So what happened that didn't happen? They wanted me to take a pay cut. And sometimes you got to bet on yourself. And that's what I did. Love that organization, loved the connections that I've made there. But at the same time, I have a family to feed. And I felt like I knew my worth and my worth was more than what they wanted to give me.
- [46:12]
Jason McIntyre
So was Roger still there?
- [46:14]
Aaron Jones
No, he wasn't. This was Jordan. This was Jordan Love.
- [46:17]
Jason McIntyre
He was your advocate. And Jordan Love, you probably didn't know him as well, right?
- [46:19]
Aaron Jones
Oh, no, I knew Jordan very well. That's, that's the thing. I, I, I get all the, I got all the receivers. Jordan, his quarterback coach, he's like my uncle, like my uncle Steve Calhoun. We got all, I got all them. Hey, we're going out here this off season to work with Jordan. He's gonna first time starting. So I was a catalyst in a lot of that, getting us, getting us together. And I think that's some of the stuff they started to see from behind the scenes. But, you know, I have a lot of love for those guys as well. My young receivers, my young, my quarterback, you know, so I wonder if the.
- [46:56]
Jason McIntyre
Audience picked that up guy. You got to listen closely to what he says anyways, so you're, you know, you're igniting all that stuff, and all of a sudden they come to you with a low ball. That was kind of when the running backs, Nobody wanted to pay them, right?
- [47:07]
Aaron Jones
Yes, sir. But got got worried that they were gonna bring in another back. Didn't know who, but they were gonna give. Essentially make me take a pay cut, ask me to take a pay cut, but give another back. A extension or a big deal.
- [47:23]
Jason McIntyre
I'm out. Sorry.
- [47:24]
Aaron Jones
And you know, you kind of, the writing's kind of on the wall then do I wanna be, be a two or do I do I feel like I can go somewhere and prove myself, Continue to prove myself and show them, hey, I still can play. I got a lot of value left. And so that's, that's what I essentially did.
- [47:45]
Jason McIntyre
So naturally you go to Minnesota and then you dominate and you can flash the middle finger to them. Talk about the transition to Minnesota in the Division A T A franchising team, you know. Well, but you got to move your family and everything. Was your family behind the move and everything?
- [47:58]
Aaron Jones
My family was definitely behind the move. They Were they were all for it and everything. And I don't know if you guys see those report cards that are given out on, on every NFL team. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So that was very true when we got there. The treatment of the family, everything, it's. It's a world class organization and I'm blessed to be there. You know, I, There's a lot of guys who like, oh, don't leave Green Bay. Don't leave Green Bay. Like a lot of vets were there, they would leave, they're like, oh, they really take care of you. The grass isn't greener. All the things that they would tell you, you know, So I was kind of like nervous making that move, but God doesn't make mistakes. And I ended up there for a reason and it's been a blessing for me and my family. They really take care of you. It's like I said, it's a world class organization and I was able to stay healthy all year. It's a great place to be and I think you'll, you'll really continue to see, see the Minnesota do, do great nuts because it starts so now I.
- [48:59]
Jason McIntyre
Got to be careful with the questions because you're in Minnesota, you know, and you got to see these guys all the time. But, you know, you get to Minnesota and they, they got Sam Darnold, but then they draft McCarthy and you were there for the quarterback battle in the offseason. Did you, because you're a new guy, were you able to like, hey guys, let's get together and let's go offense, let's go do stuff the way you did in Green Bay?
- [49:17]
Aaron Jones
Kind of just, just trying to get moved in, get settled there, everything. Found my foot in, but we were still close, you know that and I think that's what made us really good this year. We had a bunch of guys on there on one years, but veterans, and we knew we had to come together and I think that's what made us special. And it didn't matter who was like in the preseason with JJ and Sam was out there. It didn't matter who was out there slinging it. We were, we were pumping, pumping that quarterback up. Whoever was out there taking the rep, we were, we were pumping them up, lifting them up. And you couldn't, you couldn't tell who was who really, like from that close I went, I don't know how close it was. Both of them were balling in the preseason though. But I'm saying you couldn't like in terms of, oh, we're cheering for this guy, we're not sure. Like the, the way that they built it up there, like each guy was getting loved on.
- [50:13]
Jason McIntyre
So I'm just curious how this works. Like, you go to a new team, new franchise, you've got it. Everybody knows who Aaron Jones is, right. But you got to meet, like, make all these new relationships. How is that like in the locker room? Because obviously they had other running backs. You're coming for their job, you're going to be the guy. They got a new quarterback. They got something of a quarterback controversy. They got a young coach. Just what was that like?
- [50:35]
Aaron Jones
Oh, it's a lot of fun. It's. No, honestly, it's a lot of fun. And I feel like that's part of the military helped me just being able to adapt to change quickly. Military, I was moving every two, three years so as a child having to re establish myself in sports. So it was fun just going and making new relationships, meeting new people, learning about them. And these are relationships that'll last forever. Not just this, this couple months. These are everlasting, everlasting relationships. They get to know about you, you're getting to know about them and then you're finding out, hey, we're a lot, like, we're a lot alike or we, we come from the same kind of the same background or same makeup or, you know, just being there as a resource as well. Like you said, I'm a, I'm a veteran coming in and we had Todd Chandler, Cam Akers, they're still young guys on their third, fourth year. So I can just come in and give those guys everything they need. And then I think as an athlete, you know, like, hey, if this guy's better than me, then he's, he's better than me and I can learn from him and I can improve or. But there's also bits and pieces you can take from everybody's game. So I'm taking something from Cam. So Cam Maker's game, I'm taking something from Todd Chandler's game. I'm learning from those guys just as much as they're learning from me. So I think is, is just great.
- [52:03]
Jason McIntyre
So now you're out here doing media and I have to ask, as a high profile player on a team that I don't think anybody had the Vikings pegged to do what you guys did this past season. Are you reading the stuff in the preseason where people are like, oh, well, I don't know, Vikings maybe 500, you know, they got Aaron Jones and Justin Jefferson. Like, are you reading that stuff? Because the media, I don't think, love the Vikings coming into the season.
- [52:25]
Aaron Jones
You know, you see those first couple headlines come out and you're just like, ah, whatever. And then after that, we kind of didn't pay any attention. You know, we're like, okay, we're gonna. We're gonna make them respect us. Yeah, they're not talking now, but when it's. When it comes down to what they will be and, you know, what's done in the dark will always come to light. And we. We put our heads down and we worked even though we. The light wasn't shining on us. And eventually everybody started talking about us and seeing what we were doing over there.
- [52:55]
Jason McIntyre
It felt like the injury to the left tackle was kind of one of the big infection points during the season. And I don't want to say it went south, but it just.
- [53:03]
Jeremy Hobson
What?
- [53:03]
Jason McIntyre
The offensive line wasn't clicking the way it was with Derrisau in there. Is that a fair assessment?
- [53:08]
Aaron Jones
Definitely. Cam Robinson came over and did a great job, though. Came in, I want to say, two days and started with really one day of practice. He did a great job. I think it's just Ceedee was like the leader of the O line group kind of, you know, maybe, and getting them going. So he's all pro, you know. Yeah, all pro guys. So when you lose one of those guys up front and he's given a lot of those guys across the board confidence as well, it does get a little tough. But like I said, Cam did a great job of stepping in, and I'm proud of him. And he got a. He got a. Paid off of that as well. So congratulations to my left tackle, Cam.
- [53:54]
Jason McIntyre
Yeah, he's pretty damn good. And. And the other guy with Cam was a first round pick in his own right. Right. With the Jacks. All right, so tough question. Gotta ask it. Play with Devonte Adams. Play with Justin Jefferson. Who's better? I. I have to put you on the spot. These are two of the best. I mean, these are two hall of Famers, obviously.
- [54:13]
Aaron Jones
I would say two different receivers.
- [54:14]
Jason McIntyre
Ah, of course. He's ready for the media, you see.
- [54:16]
Aaron Jones
No, they are two different receivers. There are two different receivers, both very special. That's a tough question. Honestly, I have seen both of them go to work every day and consistently do it every day. I'm gonna say the only difference that I've seen is I wasn't there when devonte was younger, when he was fair in his first three years, first four years, first five years. All right, I got There. Well, he was. He's still young, but Justin's like year four, year five, so I get to. Got to see that a little bit. But I would say that's. You flip a coin, get used to.
- [55:02]
Jason McIntyre
Being in the media.
- [55:03]
Aaron Jones
You flip a coin. Yeah, you flip a coin right there. I go with either one.
- [55:07]
Jason McIntyre
If. If we gave you truth serum. And the question was, when Aaron Rodgers and the Vikings were doing whatever dance they were doing last month, were you privy to what was going on? Did Rogers call you to check in? Hey, what's the vibe like there? Did you talk to Rogers when he was allegedly talking to the Vikings?
- [55:22]
Aaron Jones
No, we really didn't talk. You know, but I would love for him to. Love for him to come over there. He. He can do a lot for the young players. Not just. See, that's. That's. That's.
- [55:36]
Jason McIntyre
I'm sorry to be a hater.
- [55:37]
Aaron Jones
That's the.
- [55:38]
Jason McIntyre
That's the jets fan.
- [55:39]
Aaron Jones
That's the media. That's the media side. You guys got rid of Robert Salah through five games in. You guys got rid of Robert Salah five games in.
- [55:48]
Jason McIntyre
I like him.
- [55:49]
Aaron Jones
Where you guys were two and three. What was the. What was the record?
- [55:52]
Jason McIntyre
It was. It was not good.
- [55:53]
Aaron Jones
It was two and three.
- [55:54]
Jason McIntyre
Yeah.
- [55:55]
Aaron Jones
Okay, look, look, my last year in Green Bay, we were like 4 and 7 and made the playoffs.
- [56:02]
Jason McIntyre
Yeah.
- [56:02]
Aaron Jones
So. So you guys. You guys are giving up on.
- [56:05]
Jason McIntyre
Hey, the owner.
- [56:05]
Aaron Jones
You guys are. It's the. I don't even want to say it's the fans. You guys are so quick to just give up on it. On each other, though, like.
- [56:12]
Jason McIntyre
Yeah, yeah, no, that's fair. Not. Not necessarily. Me. I like Salah. He didn't do a lot of winning, but apparently he had a rift with. With Rogers. You know, they didn't remember. Salah was all excited and he came over Rogers like, bro, chill, chill. Come on, man. That's a head coach. I know. That's your guy.
- [56:29]
Aaron Jones
I. I don't. I don't. I went in the locker room. I don't know the dynamic, but. But, I mean, two. You guys are two and three, and you. You go and fire him. Like. I. I don't know.
- [56:43]
Jason McIntyre
The jets have been a dysfunctional mess for a while, so.
- [56:46]
Aaron Jones
So you can try to throw it all on a rod or Salah. It's more to it, you know, and they were trying to get the pieces over there. They were trying to get the pieces over there, but you also got to be able to protect the quarterback as.
- [57:00]
Jason McIntyre
Well, not do that.
- [57:00]
Aaron Jones
You also got to be able to protect them. But, you know, no, he. I feel like he does get a bad spin on the media. But the, the thing, like, I, I spoke on it a little bit, and I'm sure there's so many more athletes out here that can speak positively about a rod. I haven't had a negative interaction with. With him ever.
- [57:20]
Jason McIntyre
Yeah, I had. What was his. The desean Jackson came on the last year. He's very good. I like talking to him about it. All right, so we got one minute left. Vikings. Is Super Bowl a reasonable expectation this year?
- [57:34]
Aaron Jones
I truly think so. We have all our skill positions back. JJ's ready. We're ready to surround him.
- [57:41]
Jason McIntyre
Have you seen JJ lately? Is he good? Coming healthy?
- [57:43]
Aaron Jones
JJ's good. JJ's ready. And he's different. He. He's gonna. He's gonna. He's gonna show you guys.
- [57:49]
Jason McIntyre
Vikings are my sleeper pick to win the division up there.
- [57:52]
Aaron Jones
We're about shortening instead of talking about it. So we're gonna show you guys what's.
- [57:57]
Jason McIntyre
The best thing about McCarthy. Is he a leader already or too young?
- [58:00]
Aaron Jones
No, he's a leader already.
- [58:01]
Capital One Bank Guy
Already.
- [58:01]
Aaron Jones
He's a winner. Like, he's. He's a winner. He's a. We believe in him and he's going to get it done for us. I mean, we're all behind him and he comes in with that confidence as well. And excited to have him.
- [58:14]
Jason McIntyre
Yeah. All right. Aaron Jones, the great running back. A lot of time with the packers, now dominating with the Vikings. Vikings are my pick to win the division. I think the Lions fall back a little. Do you?
- [58:24]
Aaron Jones
I think we have the best division in football. I don't know. I don't know if they necessarily fall back, but I think it is definitely going to be competitive. Chicago also got better in free agency, so thanks, Aaron.
- [58:34]
Jason McIntyre
Good stuff, man.
- [58:35]
Aaron Jones
It's gonna be great.
- [58:36]
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- [59:04]
Jeremy Hobson
We live in a divided country, and our media couldn't be more polarizing. That's why we started the Middle with Jeremy Hobson. 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.
- [59:34]
Greg Rosenthal
What's up everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you, with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
- [60:03]
Jason McIntyre
What's up everyone? Julie Swerbinks here, along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.
- [60:08]
Aaron Jones
We're doing a new podcast together.
- [60:10]
Jason McIntyre
Here we go. The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.
- [60:14]
Aaron Jones
Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?
- [60:19]
Jason McIntyre
Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.
- [60:23]
Aaron Jones
Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.
- [60:28]
Jason McIntyre
Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.