Colin Cowherd (10:09)

We want Steph back. I'll tell you that. It's hard playing without that, man.

Joy Taylor (10:12)

What do you learn from this game? One that you're going to bring into Thursday?

Colin Cowherd (10:14)

As a team, Steph is our best player. And the game is much easier when we got him.

Joy Taylor (10:19)

Yeah, I mean, I will say this. Whereas The T Wolves didn't seize the moment. I mean, the minute Steph is out, you're at home, you're younger, well rested, you're thinking, okay, we have to win this game. And yet the warriors were the ones that played with urgency. Without Steph. They would have had excuses, but I thought in the fourth quarter, late, their defense. Listen, the Warriors, Steve Curb may be known as an offensive guy, certainly was as a player, but their defense with Golden State discombobulated Houston in Game 7. And it felt like it deserves a lot of credit here, but I just didn't like the lack of energy. I. I'm watching Ant thinking, bro, this. You got outplayed by Buddy Heald, who wore the wrong shorts to the game. Like, you got to do better than that. This is one of your games. You got to step up and make it. And by the way, guys get sick. Like I was talking to somebody last night about this 82 game regular season, you could not play the NBA could not officiate the regular season like they officiate the playoffs. That game was physical. These games are crazy. Guys are on the floor, there's elbows flying. I understand that there are. You know, you get to a fifth or a sixth game in a series. But when the warriors are outperforming the young Houston Rockets in game seven and a well rested T Wolves team has significantly less energy than an old warriors team with fewer days rest, that's on Ant. You're the most dynamic athlete here. You have to step up and say, steph's gone. This is. This is a w. There are no excuses here. So I thought it was a bad look for Minnesota and the playoffs remain. They are so good. I'll get to the Indiana win. But J. Mac, so many things. I mean, like the Knicks beating the Celtics in game one last night. I'm watching Cavs, Pacers. Cavs had like a seven point lead. You know, it's like a minute left. Some of the stuff that happens in these pressurized situations where a Tatum can disappear, an ant can disappear, and this is where I'm very old school. Magic didn't always give you his best game. He once got the nickname Tragic Johnson. Yes, but. But Magic's energy was great. Michael and Bird's energy was great. Guys, you're flying on these jets. You don't get back to backs. The all star break is longer, nutrition's better, you can play poorly, but you can't lack energy in these playoff games. And what we saw with Steph Curry, I saw a stat he ran 1.9 miles in Game 7 against Houston, the most he's ever run in a game. And again, this isn't straight line running. This is cutting defending. And interestingly, 48 hours later, he pulls his hamstring. And Colin, I know you know, injuries, hamstrings, need rest. I don't think he's coming back this series. That's my early guess. I'd be shocked if he's back at all. Well, he won't play game two. Hell no.

Colin Cowherd (13:14)

No, no shot.

Joy Taylor (13:15)

I mean, hamstrings are weeks, not days. And, you know, without Steph Curry. Colin, I know. Minnesota looked terrible. There's no way they're losing this series to Jimmy Butler. I will say this. A former lacrosse player. I know, it's crazy. I'll say this. What made the Patriots great was the culture.

Colin Cowherd (13:32)

Yeah.

Joy Taylor (13:33)

Many times the weather's inclement. I mean, remember when Brady slashed his hand before a big playoff game and he had like eight stitches? He ripped it on a helmet. Culture in these big moments can really help win games. Buddy Heald has been Steph the last two games. Pods is playing like elite defense.

Colin Cowherd (13:54)

He can't make a shot, but his.

Joy Taylor (13:55)

Defense, his defense has been great. They got a lacrosse player in there that the what. What culture provides is everybody in a strong culture in New England knew what their assignment was. Nobody's guessing Houston's half court offense. Nobody knows what it is outside of Shen. The thing about the warriors is it's like, guys, we got a crisis here. Steps out. Everybody knew their role. Pods knew his. Buddy knew his. Jimmy Butler's the bucket guy. Draymond's like, oh, I have to shoot more threes now. Like, Draymond's like, okay, now I've got to crank up some threes. Like, everybody instantly when Steph left, they went into their role and their slot. And that is the value of experience and culture. So many of these football games are decided in a red zone, fourth down. That's a great point. I would go to the other side of it as well. Minnesota. Interesting. Julius Randle suddenly can't make a three pointer. Couldn't miss against the Lakers.

Colin Cowherd (14:49)

I mean, Jaden McDaniel.

Joy Taylor (14:50)

These guys couldn't do anything last night. Meanwhile, they torched the Lakers.

Colin Cowherd (14:54)

And don't tell me that's defense. The Lakers got unlucky in that series.

Joy Taylor (14:57)

At what point do we say, hey, man, come on, how unlucky did they get? Gobert, 27 and 24. What'd he do last night?

Colin Cowherd (15:04)

It was like, nothing.

Joy Taylor (15:06)

Maybe because the Defensive Kavon Looney. Yeah. Draymond Green. Those guys. Looney was good last night. Solid.

Colin Cowherd (15:12)

Come on.

Joy Taylor (15:14)

Losing in five games has never been due to bad luck. That's. It's. It's a tough one. Lakers fans were ticked watching that last night because Julius Randle turned into a pumpkin. He basically did. Yeah. Julius Randle, as Tim Legler will tell you the NBA's whole contested shot thing, he had the idea of what a contested shot is. I would say Golden State contests a lot more shots than the Lakers do. That's. That's fair. Yeah. I mean, now the Celtics had something like 32 uncontested threes against the Knicks, and they missed, like, 70%. Well, they also shot 60. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, Weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the iHeartRadio app.

Colin Cowherd (15:57)

Introducing Instagram Teen accounts. A new way to keep your teen safer as they grow. Like making sure they always have their seatbelt on.

Joy Taylor (16:05)

All right, sweetie pie, buckle up. Good job.

Colin Cowherd (16:08)

Or ring the bell on their bike.

Joy Taylor (16:09)

Okay, kid, give it a try. Nice. Or remember their elbow pads. Knees, too. Okay. Yep.

Colin Cowherd (16:17)

There you go. New Instagram teen accounts.

Joy Taylor (16:21)

Automatic protections for who can contact your.

Colin Cowherd (16:23)

Teen and the content they can.

Joy Taylor (16:25)

See, 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. At the end of the season, there's only one team that can call themselves NBA champs. Only one player that can call themselves the number one pick in the NFL draft. Well, there's only one electric SUV worthy of the title. The ultimate. The all electric BMW ix. What I love about the IX is that it delivers legendary BMW performance. While its sleek design exudes innovative style from the inside out. Not to mention how much space and utility it provides. Over 75 cubic feet of cargo space, the IX is completely changing the game with an all electric suv. The greatest legends of sports never compromise any part of the game. So why would you settle for anything less from your suv? After all, there's only one ultimate the BMW ix. Everything you love about the ultimate driving machine. Electrified summer is almost here, and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats now. What do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered. A day at the lake, That's a no. A Philly cheesesteak? That's a yes. A nice tan. Sorry. A box fan. Happily, yes. What about a day of sunshine? Not happening. How about a box of fine wines? Yeah, that's happening. Delivery's on its way. Okay. How about some clear skies? Nope. Well, how about some French fries? Yeah. So how about a freshly cut lawn? Can't help you there. But a barbecued prawn? Order it and it's on its way. Even throw in some paper towels. Clean up after the feast. So while you can't get fun in the sun delivered, don't worry because you can get pork buns delivered. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost, almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. Product availability may vary by region. See app for details. All right, J. Mac asked the question during the break. He said, do you think Aaron Rodgers of the Steelers potentially, do you think Aaron Rodgers had anything to do with George Pickens being moved? So Aaron Rodgers is not a stealer. There is speculation out there he is waiting for the schedule to drop. Aaron did not like and by the way, Peyton Manning hated primetime games. A lot of these quarterbacks, as they get older, they get into rhythms. Kirk Cousins hated primetime games. Aaron, people are speculate he's waiting for the schedule next Wednesday to drop. And if they don't have a ton of primetime games and I don't think they will, then Aaron's like, I'll go to Pittsburgh. If he does it early, the NFL could manipulate the schedule. Aaron doesn't want primetime games. He wants that one o' clock window. A lot of these guys do. I totally get it and defend there and there. A lot of guys get tired of getting monkey. I mean, Mahomes last year, you know, never played a normal schedule. So I will say this. I do believe Dan Rooney, the owner, the Rooney family had said, we think Aaron's going to be a Steeler. Aaron already showed his allegiance. Hey, listen, I like the DK Metcalf guy. He's been in the league. He's great. So Aaron shown his hand. He, he, he of the two receivers they had, he's like, I'm going to go work out with this one. Aaron is always liked effort guys at wide receiver. Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, I mean, James Jones, you don't have to be a burner. Randall Cobb, he likes Dependable guys he can trust in. You can't trust George Pickens. Metcalf may be high maintenance, but he plays hard. Pickens bails on routes. Now this is also a Steeler issue. The Steelers have lost a lot. They lost Dan Moore, their left tackle, Naji Harris, Pickens, Van Jefferson, Mike Williams, both their quarterbacks. So they're the only team in the league that has lost their leading passer, leading rusher and leading receiver from last year. But Aaron obviously is a better quarterback than the two they had. So I think they could be fine. They tend to. Maybe it's. It's Mike Tomlin. They think he can handle it. They tend to draft a lot of dramatic players. They draft and develop. They roll the dice on Lavan Bell, Chase Claypool, ab. You know, Pickens, Pickens had red flags when he was coming out of college. Deontay Johnson. Now they bail on them. To their credit, you know, if they think they're a pain in the butt, they'll move off them. But they have moved off a lot of highly dramatic players and it feels like it's, it's an exercise in futility. You keep doing the same thing over and over. You won't red flag guys that most of the league does and you end up, you know, getting a couple good years. But you have to bail on him. So the Steelers got a third round pick. I think Aaron, I believe that he's waiting and this is the speculation, you don't want primetime games. So now he's got, and he would never admit it, he's got a number one receiver, he'll have a great defense. He's. Obviously there's some sort of discussion going on between Aaron and the Steelers. I don't know if there's an agreement, but I think what the sad part for the Steelers is they have become a franchise that's more interesting than they are very good. That's what they become. I think, I think Aaron makes them very interesting. I said this yesterday, they're going to be a third place team in the division. They're too gifted, too good of a coach, too good of a culture, too good of a defense to be fourth place. But they're not in Baltimore's league right now. They're just not, they're not good enough at quarterback. They're not in Cincinnati's league because they're not good enough at quarterback or at wide receiver. So. But I. Did Aaron have influence over this? Listen, Aaron has showed his hand multiple times on influence. He wanted McCarthy out, out. He wanted Randall Cob, Lazard and Hackett got it. So it's not like Aaron hasn't shown his hand before. Aaron generally is at a point where he's got 300 million dollar net worth. He's like, hey, tell me what you can do, tell me what you can't do. I, I think honestly Aaron's pretty predictable at this point that I think he'll go to Pittsburgh, but it's got to be right. He's got to get the things right. The TV schedule, one great weapon that may be a bit high maintenance but he's already shown his hand and his allegiance. Yeah, my guess is he's going to be a Steeler and it's going to be sometime late next week he'll announce it. That would be my guess. Aaron doesn't communicate with a lot of people. He's got a new relationship reportedly that would be my guess. But I do think Aaron has shown his hand multiple times is he's going to want certain things. By the way, when Tom Brady went to Tampa, get me Gronk, get me Lenny Fournette. And there's something. But by year, you know, year two or three, move Arians upstairs like the veteran quarterbacks Peyton Manning. There's things I want. This is not picking on Aaron. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific. Hey, Steve Covino. And I'm Rich Davis and together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio.

Colin Cowherd (23:47)

You can catch us weekdays from Fox, 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4.

Joy Taylor (23:50)

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.

Colin Cowherd (24:19)

I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the most interactive.

Joy Taylor (24:23)

Show on planet Earth. Be sure to check out Covino and Rich live on Fox Sports radio and the iHeartradio app from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search Covino and Rich.

Colin Cowherd (24:33)

Wherever you get your podcast.

Joy Taylor (24:34)

And of course on social media, that's Covino and Rich.

Colin Cowherd (24:38)

Introducing Instagram Teen Accounts. A new way to keep your teen safer as they grow. Like making sure they always have their seatbelt on.

Joy Taylor (24:45)

All right, buckle up. Good job.

Colin Cowherd (24:47)

New Instagram Teen Accounts.

Joy Taylor (24:49)

Automatic protections for who can contact your teen and the content they can see. 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 at the end of the season, there's only one team that can call themselves NBA champs. Only one player that can call themselves the number one pick in the NFL draft. Well, there's only one electric SUV worthy of the title. The Ultimate. The all electric BMW ix. What I love about the IX is that it delivers legendary BMW performance. While its sleek design exudes innovative style from the inside out. Not to mention how much space and utility it provides. Over 75 cubic feet of cargo space. The IX is completely changing the game with an all electric suv. The greatest legends of sports never compromise any part of the game. So why would you settle for anything less from your suv? After all, there's only one ultimate the BMW ix. Everything you love about the ultimate driving machine. Electrified summer is almost here and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. Now, what do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered. A day at the lake? That's a no. A Philly cheesesteak? That's a yes. A nice tan. Sorry. A box fan. Happily, yes. What about a day of sunshine? Not happening. How about a box of fine wines? Yeah, that's happening. Delivery's on its way. Okay, how about some clear skies? Nope. Well, how about some French fries? Yeah. So how about a freshly cut lawn? Can't help you there. But a barbecued prawn? Order it and it's on its way. Even throw in some paper towels. Clean up after the feast. So while you can't get fun in the sun delivered, don't worry because you can get pork buns delivered. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost, almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. Product availability may vary by region. See app for details. I will say this so I was Told according to an NBA player poll that Tyrese Halliburton is the most overrated player in the league. That's what the NBA players poll said. I'm going to flip that. I think he's the most underrated player. Rick Carlisle last night, a veteran head coach who I know did not use a timeout. Loose ball, ball. He's like, bro, I trust you. You can go to that. At the end of the game. They had a timeout to use. They wouldn't use it. That tells you they trust their guy. Indy all season. By the way, I don't know if you know this. All season long, the Pacers second best record in one possession games. That's not because of your forwards. That's not because of your bench. That is your point guard. That is your facilitator. That's a Halberton stat. So game seven, they're up. Cavs are up by seven with 57 seconds left. Even by Cleveland standards, this was humiliating. But here was Halberton's game winner from last night. Listen to this. I want you to listen to this on Pacers radio. Second one is short and it's rebounded by Halliburton. The Pacers have a timeout. Will they use it? Four seconds to go. Halliburton for three.

Colin Cowherd (28:28)

Three ball.

Joy Taylor (28:29)

Up top.

Colin Cowherd (28:30)

Indiana by one.

Joy Taylor (28:32)

One and one. Ten seconds to go. You have got to be kidding me. He was 10 of 11 this year to tie a game or take the lead in the last two minutes. 10 of 11. I saw a clip this morning on the Internet and I went to the staff and I said that had to be a highlight package. That can't be real. It is. He was the most trustable guy to tire take a lead under two minutes in the league and you're telling me he's the most overrated player? And it. What really makes this stand out is that because Darius Garland is not available, the point guard for the Cavs, they're leaning on Ty Drome, who's a six man. He's not a number two scorer on your team. So they're. They've got guys trying to out of their depth, trying to be top scorers for Cleveland. So between Garland's absence and Halliburton's excellence late in games, it's becoming so obvious why this machine in Indiana works. The Pacers work because of Holy Halle, who hit another game winner last night. And here was Halliburton on the game winner.

Colin Cowherd (29:39)

It's a special feeling, man. It's a lot of fun. I Mean, like any basketball fan or anybody who's involved in basketball at all, everybody in their life has imagined being a kid, being in the driveway, being in the living room, time winding down in their head, shooting it, missing, putting more time on the clock. You know, all those things like, this is a kid's game. And I get paid a lot of money to play a kids game. So I'm just having fun out there and yeah, just having fun with what I'm doing. And I really. Winning is fun.

Joy Taylor (30:13)

Eight points, last two minutes. And here's another thing. And we're seeing this all through the playoffs. He went back and stayed in college for a second year and became a lottery pick. All you guys rush into the G League. Another NBA playoff performer. You, you know who's been really good in the plat. Mikhail Bridges, defense. McHale Bridges hasn't missed a game since like the seventh grade. I mean, I'm not joking when I say this, this idea. The NBA has marginalized college basketball over the last decade. I like Adam Silver. I think they've done a lousy job on this whole. Go to the G League. The coaching's not as good. The culture's not as good. It's all about getting buckets. Jalen Green has no offensive game. Jonathan Kaminga, talented. What is he? It's guys like Halle that go back to college. The loud coach play among a collective in a basketball collegiate culture. Make yourself a lottery pick. I do not think it's a coincidence. Look at the Warriors, Draymond Green and Steph Curry and guys that spent a lot. Jimmy Butler, guys who spent years and years defining their games and maturing in college. Who's the one warrior that doesn't work? Kaminga. Right to the G League. And it's nothing against the G League. College basketball. The NBA can't figure this out. College basketball is your ally. It's your friend. NFL's always understood that about college football. You advertise and market and coach the hell out of the players. Then hand them to us. We'll microwave them. They're ready to play. So the college basketball in March. There's no pressurized situation in the G League like March. You get better coaching in college basketball, you know, and then you go and have this tournament in March, which is like the NBA playoff sudden death. And you're these Duke kids and Kansas kids and UConn kids. I mean, Dan Hurley's barking at him. Dan Hurley's a better coach than anybody in the G League. And Dan Curley. The practices are hard. The Practices are better. And then you get March in college basketball. You don't get any of that in the G League. So these kids play in these wild environments on a college campus. G League, there's parents and friends at the game. There's nobody at the game. A college basketball can look like an NBA playoff game where you get these situations where it's like, it's the biggest shot of your life. College basketball and college football are your friend for a pro league. NBA can't figure it out. Once again, Halliburton stayed in college an extra year. He's got a defined offensive game. It's a little herky jerky. His mechanics aren't always pretty, but it's. I'll. I'll die on this hill that the G League gets in the way of your development and college basketball, I don't know. Bill Self, Dan Hurley, Tom Izzo, Mark Few or G League Gary, who doesn't want to be there in front of playing in front of 38 people? You tell me what matters going on the road in the Big Ten or the Big 12 or the ACC playing in Duke. Cameron, that intense pressure or G League, what do you think develops a young player dying on that hill all day long? 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. Now, J. Mac over here is like, I, you know, it's a little dicey. I'm like, hey, we're journalists. You got to get on this stuff.

Colin Cowherd (33:47)

Yeah, yeah.

Joy Taylor (33:48)

All right, so listen, I defended Jordan. I even defend her real estate empire, which she's building. She's a go getter. She's. You know, her mom and dad had a business that went bankrupt that I. Hey, I. You know, the fear. She's like, hey, I'm gonna go get her. I get it. Like, I'm gonna defend her. I defend. She's a tough pr. She's telling people, don't ask that question, and doesn't bother me at all. It is. There are people around, Bill, that are a little concerned. In Patriot Nation, if you were on a text chain is just say, you don't have to give me names. Would it be concerned? Would it be he's okay? Because it's like a thing now.

Colin Cowherd (34:28)

Yeah, it is a thing. And the number one thing we used to talk about all the time in New England was distractions. Let's not make distractions. The game's already as hard as it is to prepare for. To play, to coach. And, you know, regardless of what her role is. Jordan. Yeah, I thought he got an unfair. An unfair public opinion on the whole thing because that happens all the time. Anytime we're doing behind the scenes this, that you got someone who represents you, they're going to jump in. But now that it's. It's gained and snowballed to the. What it's become right now, where we're talking about it three weeks later, it's becoming a distraction. So that's what. I'm sure that's what we all think right now. This is becoming a distraction. We got to. We got to, got to, got to practice what we preach here.

Joy Taylor (35:25)

Yeah, I mean, Barry White said they're both benefiting from this. Her professionally, him somewhat professionally. So I don't like to be too judgy on this stuff.

Colin Cowherd (35:35)

I don't either. But, you know, once again, I mean, we're talking about this three weeks later, it's on abc, it's on this, it's on that. I mean, it's getting to a point where we gotta. We gotta start worrying about, you know, the acc. We gotta start worrying about Dabo Sweeney. We shouldn't be talking about our girlfriend. And that's what that's how coach would say to us. So, you know, that's, that's the truth. You know, when it comes down to running a football organization and playing football, let's make the main thing the main thing.

Joy Taylor (36:06)

So you were with New England at a very interesting time when they acquired Randy Moss. You were there for the last year and a few games. Yeah, so. And I think Randy's better than George Pickens, but I think both are spectacular talents that can be at times a bit moody and can be, by the way, confrontational. That's not terrible. But receivers tend to be outspoken. They're the NBA dudes of football. They break the huddle first. They're out on an island. They're often the best athlete. So when a player like Randy, there was that sideline blow up against, like, Miami, what does it do to what? Because Mike Tomlin just said, yeah, I'm done. Yeah, he, He. He kept ab for several years. When there is a combative player and you got little bit of Randy, Bill moved off it fast. Right. Like, did that happen overnight?

Colin Cowherd (37:01)

Yeah, I mean, you know, there was, that. There was confrontation with, you know, on the sideline in Miami. He was traded next week. And that was my first moment in the NFL where you're like, damn, everyone's expendable, right? Randy Moss just got cut, you know, and Randy wasn't a problem like that. But what it was is we were in the gap of the dynasty, the old dynasty in trying to develop the new team. And so there was a lot of young foundational players there that Bill probably didn't want that to be a scene thing that, hey, this is all right. So, you know, he traded Randy Moss and everyone in the locker room, you know, straightened up right away.

Joy Taylor (37:40)

Okay. I was going to say. So when Randy left, you lose the talent. But you did feel immediately a sort of the temperature came down.

Colin Cowherd (37:49)

Yeah, but you know that's, this is also apples and oranges. You know, we had Tom Brady who had three Super Bowls. We got Bill.

Joy Taylor (37:56)

They don't know who their quarterback is.

Colin Cowherd (37:57)

We don't know who the quarterback is. You know, you had other. You had a young Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez who were there at that point like the team was changing already. So it wouldn't, it wasn't like we just got jumped ship because he popped off. They, they clearly had a plan to go to that 12 personnel group and that's what we ended up doing for the next few years. So I don't know how this Pickens is going to deal is going to. Is going to turn out because ultimately, I mean, Dax had weapons. What makes Dak good is when he has a run game. That's the truth. And they didn't get a, they didn't get a big time running back. I know they got a running back in the fifth and they got a. They got the Williams kid out of Denver from last year, but that's a quarterback's best friend is a run game. They have Ferguson, who's a hell of a tight end. They got CD who's going to benefit hugely from Pickens if Pickens is down.

Joy Taylor (38:57)

To play ball coverage on him now.

Colin Cowherd (38:58)

Yeah, and I think Dak's going to be able to handle all that, but you know, I think they need to address the running back room. Some one of those guys got to come out of nowhere and play well. I'll never, I'll never judge a draft pick lineman from the Cowboys. They know how to do that, so I'm sure that pick will be all right. But the running back thing is what ultimately concerns me the most about them.

Joy Taylor (39:22)

So you. When Travis Hunter gets picked, we talk about how's he going to be in an offensive and a defensive meeting. Actually, when you came out, did you do that at New England?

Colin Cowherd (39:32)

Yeah, I did that my third year. We were down At Star. So I started playing to Star. And we got to put this in context though. Star is the nickel. I was the nickel. Let's put this in context. I wasn't the best receiver on my team at that point in my career. I wasn't even sniffing the best corner on that team. So when I was going in, I was guarding the fifth to sixth best player and I was getting guarded by the, the fourth, the fifth best guy on defense. This is completely different. So. And I had two years of offense already in my system. I knew the offense all right. So on Thursdays I would leave all the defensive meetings. I would have a defense. I would be in defense Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. And then on certain third down periods or third down days, which is usually Thursday, I'd hop into the offensive group and go over my installation for my 4 wide group, my package for that third down package. But everything else I had to get accustomed to corner because I never played it before. Now Travis is going to do this. He still has to develop into great one of these sides, you know, and that takes time, that takes film, that takes reps at both and that takes coaching at both. So it's going to be very tough. But I do think he can have packages, you know, so he goes and plays corner the whole time. Maybe you have him on a red zone package. You have six to eight plays that you know he's comfortable with. You know, the quarterback's comfortable with throwing it to him. And that's another thing, you know, is the quarterback going to be comfortable throwing to a guy if he's in the defensive meetings all day, he's not asking questions. When you're installing the plays, how are they going to do that? They're going to put in more time. There's collecting a bargaining agreement. You can't do that anymore. So like, what are we going to do here? The time is the hardest part about this and it's the preparation for playing both sides. And then, you know, you're not playing Colorado State defensive guys. You're playing the best guy in his conference, in the NCAA when he played every single play. So you know it's going to beat you up a little. So it's going to be a tough situation to go through. If there's a guy that can do it, it's Travis Hunter. But I think that they're going to have to pick one side, I don't know what side that is, and then give him packages on the other.

Joy Taylor (41:48)

So I think the most improved team I predicted last Year it would be Washington. I got lucky on that. This year I think it's New England. I think, you know, I think they bought about five starters and they drafted about three. What did you see? I mean, usually there's a plan, you know, Vrabel, when you watch the draft, free agency, what was the plan you saw?

Colin Cowherd (42:09)

Well, clearly offense, first three picks, you go Will Campbell with the fourth overall pick. That's, that's, that's a huge, huge piece for them. They needed offensive line. They showed that they needed offensive line. They went out and drafted a guy with the fourth pick that they liked. They didn't wait and try to do something cute, trade back, do this, do that. They got the guy they wanted and then they get Hendrickson in the second round. Ohio State. I think him paired up with Josh McDaniels is going to be so big for the development of Drake May. All our super bowl teams, we had Shane vereen who had 13 catches out of the backfield, who was great with protections. We had James White who had 15 catches in the super bowl, was great with protections. All I keep on hearing about this Hendrickson kid. Kid's great with protections, great with the ball in his hands. Him, Josh McDaniels, that's going to be great for Drake May and then the third round receiver, the Williams kid, have.

Joy Taylor (43:05)

You seen him play?

Colin Cowherd (43:06)

Dude, he's, but I've asked all my guys, he's great. I keep on asking all my GM guys, I'm like, yo, what's this kid about? And they're like, dude, he's, he's good.

Joy Taylor (43:16)

He will start.

Colin Cowherd (43:17)

So, you know, I, I, I was very excited with what they did in the draft and in the offseason, adding, you know, tackle with Moses on the, you know, veteran tackle to kind of help.

Joy Taylor (43:27)

They got a center in, they got.

Colin Cowherd (43:28)

A center in the fourth. You know, with W. Williams on the defensive side, they handled a bunch of that on in free agency. It seems like they're spending their money, they're, they're adding the right positions. Now they got to go out and prepare and execute it and do it.

Joy Taylor (43:44)

There's a story out, true or not, Aaron would never admit to it, that Rogers, Aaron Rodgers is waiting for the TV schedule to come out. Aaron did not want to do another Sunday night, Monday night, Thursday night, just like the NFL last year had Mahomes playing like everything.

Colin Cowherd (44:03)

But Tuesday, I can assure him the Pittsburgh Steelers will not be playing every.

Joy Taylor (44:09)

Because Kirk Cousins, legendary, didn't like it. Manning Peyton, didn't like it. How was Brady knowing creature of habit that his schedule. Now it's Sunday night again. How did you guys handle? You didn't play in the one o' clock window much.

Colin Cowherd (44:25)

No. And you loved playing in those one o'clock windows. Everybody, everyone does because you get up, go game, you get to watch the 4 o' clock on the way home. It's just an easier schedule. But you know, that was one thing, you know, no one batted an eye with in New England. You know what time we played when we played.

Joy Taylor (44:44)

You like the 1 o' clocks?

Colin Cowherd (44:46)

Everyone likes the 1 o' clocks. But I also like the night games. That's when everyone was watching you. That's when the show was all about you. That's when you could go and show the world what you were about. So, you know, it's a double edged sword. But you know, this whole Aaron Rodgers thing, the more I think about it, maybe he is really just that much smarter where he's probably going to land into like some team that gets a hurt quarterback that he really likes. You know what I mean? At first I was so on the fence, like why wouldn't he sign somewhere? You know, we saw his time in the jets that he struggled with being on the same chemistry page with his receivers, which is developed through organized team activities, minicamps, off season. You need those practices. So why is he doing it again? And then, you know, hey, the draft, they didn't draft a quarterback. They should get rid of the other guy. Maybe he falls into something else he wants. I don't know. He's. He's very unpredictable. I know you think he's predictable though, right?

Joy Taylor (45:41)

No, I think Aaron thinks he's unpredictable. But Aaron wants to control things. He likes control and he wants you to think that you don't know anything. He likes goes out of his way to say Schefter doesn't know what he's doing. And Diana Rossini, he goes, he tries too hard. It's like when people say I don't care if people like me. If you're trying too hard to say that you really care that people like when you're trying too hard to say I nobody know. I think he's fairly predictable that he wants to. He's going to want two or three things. He didn't want Pickens around. He probably wants Alan Lazard and you know, he probably wants to make sure he's not on seven, you know, games at Sunday night and Thursday night.

Colin Cowherd (46:21)

For me it's just, you know, if you're a quarterback, I would want as much time on task with the players as you could have, you know, just because it's going to be. I know he's probably. Arthur Smith's their O.C. yeah, he's a West coast guy. He's going to know the terminology and stuff, but it's more of like learning the body mechanics of your guys, having them learn his cadence, which is an ultimate tool, but very hard to learn. Cadence is not easy like that takes this time to get used to. So regardless of where he goes, I hope he goes quick because it's fun to talk about him.

Joy Taylor (46:59)

I was thinking about this. Matt Stafford took $20 million less to stay with the Rams.

Colin Cowherd (47:03)

Smart.

Joy Taylor (47:04)

Obviously, in New England, when you guys took less than your market value, did the team, you know, did they say, you know, Julian, we'll give you a better parking spot? Did they. Was there ever any team guilt that, you know, Mr. Kraft knew that you could have gone elsewhere? You had a market, you played for a little, sometimes a lot less. Did you ever get a little. Did ever give you a pizza on Friday night for the fam or. It's just like, hey, bro, you're part of the culture. Take pay cuts.

Colin Cowherd (47:32)

I think we're just part of the culture, really. It's just part of the culture. And you couldn't say anything because, you.

Joy Taylor (47:38)

Know, Tom was taking.

Colin Cowherd (47:39)

Tom was taking a cut, so no one could say anything. But, you know, with. With the Stafford situation, I completely understand taking less money in this part of his career. It's a whole process, especially when you. You're comfortable somewhere. He's at this age. He's 37, 38, whatever he is, you know, does he want to uproot his family that probably loves it here? Does he want to go and learn a completely new offense? Does he want to learn a completely new roster of names? I mean, there's something comfortable about going to the janitor that, you know, for the last eight years and having a conversation with George. That's comfort, you know, and some. That's what I loved about New England. When I drove in, I had the same lady wave to me for 12 years. And that made me feel at home, you know, so at this point in his career, I can completely understand. He loves his. You know, he knows the coach that he's with is a viable coach that can get. Knows how to dial up plays. Sneed's going to get them players. They've shown that they can draft players. They're bringing in tools for them. I mean, this is a. A good spot. I mean, he's made a lot of money. How much do you need?

Joy Taylor (48:49)

That's right.

Colin Cowherd (48:50)

How much do you need?

Joy Taylor (48:51)

I mean, how much do Sour Patch Kids cost? I mean, it's your, you know, who cares?

Colin Cowherd (48:55)

I mean, he's, he's, he's made a lot of money.

Joy Taylor (48:58)

Oh, he's made like 400 large or something. Hey, what? Shadour Sanders, little cocky, falls in the draft, gets humbled. When you're a veteran and you walk into a locker room and there's a kid, he's a draft pick. Oh, yeah, he's got a little. Little tude. Did guys like to humble him? I mean, was that something that was discussed among veterans?

Colin Cowherd (49:22)

You know, a lot of. We had Tim Tebow come into our camp and, and I remember to play backup quarterback. And I remember the first day he came in, the media was just like through the roof. You know, this is like OTAs and it's like a Super bowl media that.

Joy Taylor (49:40)

Didn'T last very long.

Colin Cowherd (49:41)

Didn't last very long. And it was a lot. But he, he was humble about it. He was a humble kid about it. And he was in the locker room cool about it. And I'm sure Chidor is going to be a different guy. When there's a guy who's been playing on that team for 10 years making $30 million and say, hey, rookie, you know, hey, let's be, let's be seen, not heard. Like, that's the kind of stuff.

Joy Taylor (50:02)

Yeah. Miles Garrett has a way of influencing.

Colin Cowherd (50:04)

Let's be seen, let's not be heard, buddy. Let's. That's the kind of thing that the older guys used to say to us.

Joy Taylor (50:10)

Okay. It was announced this week, finally, Julian, you were voted into the Patriots hall of Fame, which is incredible. And I saw that, the video with your father. Take me back to the first game. You were. It was a four year journey to really become. Take me back first to the minute you made the team and the call with your dad.

Colin Cowherd (50:39)

It was a weird situation because my first preseason game west didn't play. It was Tom's first game back from the acl, so they wanted to get him some game reps. He wanted to get game reps. And so Wes didn't play. I caught a few balls from him and that was a big thing. And I housed a punt and I had a kickoff tackle to open the game. So I was making plays. But then the next game I sprained my foot and I was out for the next three weeks. So I was up in the air. I didn't Know if I was making the team and Billy o' Brien's over here playing with me, like, you know, Buffalo, week one. Hopefully you're there for the inst. Like, you know, messing with me, but knew I was going to make the team, so I didn't really have that moment where, like, hey, you made the team. We went into week one, and in New England, there's still parts moving throughout the year. So I never really called my dad and told them, hey, Dad, I made the team. I said, dad, I'm still around right now. Okay, so I'll let you know if I call you the next time. It's probably because I'm coming home.

Joy Taylor (51:47)

But there was a moment at some point in your and Tom's relationship where you could sense he trusted you. That's big for Tom.

Colin Cowherd (51:54)

Yeah.

Joy Taylor (51:54)

When was that?

Colin Cowherd (52:00)

I would say probably that Buffalo. The week one Buffalo game in 2013 where, you know, I. Gronk blew out his back. We signed Amendola, he ripped out his adductor, and Hernandez was gone by then, so there was no one else to really throw to. And so he kind of had to. And then we balled out. We won that game. And that's when I felt like the trust was really coming. Now, I put in a whole lot of sweat equity with them years before that in the off season, and there was a trust, but the trust didn't come until he saw it in, like, a real game, you know, and it had to be seen in practice for you even to get an opportunity in the game. So you. And it wasn't like you just got it. You had to continually earn it. And that's something he always said. He never said, hey, you don't just trust someone. You got to continue to earn the trust. And that's through the preparation, that's through the practice, that's through the reps. And, you know, it was very, very cool for me. And it's a blessed experience to get to go into a environment like that.

Joy Taylor (53:12)

Yeah.

Colin Cowherd (53:13)

Because you become a product of your people.

Joy Taylor (53:14)

You had a market, you could have played again. Do you remember where you were when you just decided, I'm going to shoot that video at the 50 yard line. I'm retiring a patriot.

Colin Cowherd (53:24)

Yeah. I was in Austin, Texas. I was in Austin, Texas, and I. I remember calling my dad and I was, like, nervous to tell him, like, my knee wasn't really responding. And I just got an opinion that they wanted to potentially do like a micro fracture surgery. I'm 34 years old, three Super Bowls, I'm like, we're good. Micro fracture is 12 month recovery. And that's just to potentially get the cartilage to calm down or something like that. And so I called my dad and it was, you know, it was, I needed to have his validation that it was okay. And, you know, that was it.

Joy Taylor (54:03)

What's it mean to be a Hall.

Colin Cowherd (54:05)

Of Famer, you know, for this organization, which could be argued the best organization over the last 20 years. No one will have that kind of success. Being a kid that grew up around an organization like that and the San Francisco 49ers, to be associated with some of the greats that are in the hall of Fame, the Tom Brady's, the Ben Coates, the Kevin Falks, the Vrabels. I mean, it's an absolute honor, you know, and it's pretty cool because I can remember the first day, you know, getting there, just looking at my helmet in my blue locker. Because you had to earn your real locker. You didn't get real lockers that you had blue lockers in the middle for the rookies. And I just, I would stay there all night. I never had free Gatorade shakes. I was at Kent State. So I would stay there and use all the facilities and I would just look at my helmet like, man, I'm on this team. That's crazy.

Joy Taylor (55:01)

What's the singular thing, the singular gift your dad gave you? The message that you will take forever.

Colin Cowherd (55:11)

No sniveling. That's what he always says. You know, even if you come up short on something, if something goes wrong, there's no sniveling. Okay? Get to work, work your way out of stuff that's, you know, through your preparation, adjust, adapt. He's, he's now, he used to say or die. Now he's or and overcome. He's, he's grown up a little, but just a hard working guy that, a self made man that, you know, the real respect is for people that wake up at like 5am and work till 5am doing something they don't love, right. But that they have to do for their loved ones. That's like, that's what I've taken from him for 45 years from what I can remember. You know what I mean?

Joy Taylor (56:06)

Congrats, buddy.

Colin Cowherd (56:07)

Thank you. Thank you. It's awesome.

Joy Taylor (56:09)

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Colin Cowherd (57:57)

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Joy Taylor (57:59)

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Colin Cowherd (58:03)

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Joy Taylor (58:07)

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Joy Taylor (58:15)

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Colin Cowherd (58:20)

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Joy Taylor (58:24)

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Colin Cowherd (58:29)

Today you're listening to an Iheart podcast.