Hour 1 - Bold Predictions

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Hour 1: Bold Predictions

Episode Information

• Title: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
• Host: Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts and The Volume)
• Description: A thought-provoking, opinionated, and topic-driven journey through the top sports stories of the day.
• Episode: Hour 1 - Bold Predictions
• Release Date: June 24, 2025

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1. Introduction to Bold Predictions

In the inaugural hour of "Bold Predictions," host Colin Cowherd teams up with co-host John Middletop to delve into the most significant and speculative sports forecasts. Setting the stage for a dynamic discussion, Colin emphasizes the importance of versatility in today's athletes, both in basketball and football.

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2. NBA Draft Forecast: Cooper Flag as Top Pick

Discussion Highlights: Colin and John dive deep into the upcoming NBA draft, spotlighting Cooper Flag as the likely number one pick. They compare Flag's playing style and potential to established stars like Jason Tatum and LeBron James, emphasizing his versatility on the court.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd [03:08]: "The draft is tomorrow, and Cooper Flag is going to go number one. So he played at Duke. Obviously, you, me and our dogs watched Cooper Flag play a few times, and he was in the tournament. He's a great player."

• John Middletop [22:29]: "MVP, Western Conference finals MVP, Finals MVP champion. I don't think anybody in here would question his ability."

Key Insights:

• Versatility Over Specialization: Colin argues that, unlike players with a single "go-to" move, Cooper Flag's ability to perform multiple roles makes him a valuable asset. He likens Flag to a "general practitioner" in basketball, capable of addressing various on-court needs without being confined to a specific role.

• Comparison to Legends: The duo draws parallels between Flag and legends like LeBron James, highlighting LeBron's unselfish playstyle and ability to elevate his teammates. They suggest that Flag possesses similar traits that could translate into immediate impact in the NBA.

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3. Boston Celtics' Strategic Trades and Team Dynamics

Discussion Highlights: Colin analyzes the Boston Celtics' recent trade activities, shedding light on their strategy to reshape the team post-season. He discusses the implications of trading veteran players like Jrue Holiday and acquiring younger, cost-effective talent to balance the roster.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd [13:19]: "The Boston Celtics work another NBA team on a trade as soon as the season ended. It's like Howie Roseman and the Eagles—they don't pick the phone up. Just don't pick it up."

• John Middletop [31:20]: "I think their quarterback situation's odd."

Key Insights:

• Margin Moves vs. Big Swings: Colin emphasizes that successful teams like Boston are excelling through "margin moves"—small, strategic trades that enhance team depth rather than making headline-grabbing acquisitions. This approach contrasts with other teams that opt for high-risk, high-reward moves, which often don't pay off.

• GM Acumen: The discussion highlights the critical role of General Managers in executing these strategies. Colin commends Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens for their ability to navigate complex trade negotiations, ensuring the Celtics remain competitive without overspending.

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4. Evolution of Player Branding and NBA Culture

Discussion Highlights: The hosts explore how player branding and the culture within the NBA have evolved. They compare past eras, where players had distinctive nicknames and signature moves, to today's more versatile and media-savvy athletes.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd [23:59]: "There's always been criticism with LeBron James and you know, he can be polarizing. I understand that. But I've always thought he elevates others. He's very unselfish when it comes to basketball."

• John Middletop [32:37]: "The Bears this year are not as good as before. Players have more responsibility now without relying on a single superstar."

Key Insights:

• Nicknames and Identity: Colin reminisces about the past when every star had a unique nickname (e.g., "Air Jordan," "The Round Mound of Rebound"). Today, with globalization and the international influx of players, nicknames are less emphasized, reflecting a more mature and sophisticated league.

• Versatility Over Signature Moves: The shift towards versatile players who can perform multiple roles reduces the need for standout signature moves. This versatility is praised as it allows players to adapt and excel in various game situations without being pigeonholed.

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5. NFL Quarterbacks and MVP Considerations

Discussion Highlights: Transitioning to the NFL, Colin and John discuss the current landscape of quarterback performances, focusing on Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. They analyze their career trajectories, comparing them to past legends and debating their potential for future success.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd [24:24]: "If you ask quarterbacks today, in fact, I heard Brady talking about this a month ago who had the best arm. He's like Marino and I don't want because Marino got a lot of attention when he played."

• John Middletop [26:46]: "I believe that Josh Allen will get a Super Bowl ring before it's all said and done."

Key Insights:

• Career Longevity and Impact: The hosts speculate on the long-term careers of current quarterbacks, considering factors like physical health, contract constraints, and team support. They express confidence in Josh Allen’s ability to secure a Super Bowl ring, citing his consistent performances and leadership.

• Hall of Fame Comparisons: There is a discussion on how quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson might join the ranks of legendary players such as Dan Marino, Elway, and Peyton Manning, balancing individual accolades with team success.

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6. Upcoming NFL Season Predictions

Discussion Highlights: Colin and John make bold predictions for the upcoming NFL season, focusing on team performances within the AFC and NFC. They analyze coaching changes, player performances, and strategic moves that could influence each team's success.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd [44:34]: "I'm just gabfest over here. So we're gonna do AFC today, we're gonna do NFC tomorrow."

• John Middletop [45:28]: "You're going to think I'm nuts. Daniel Jones leads the Colts to the playoffs. This race is over."

Key Insights:

• Chargers Winning the AFC West: Colin predicts the Los Angeles Chargers will emerge victorious in the AFC West, citing their improved offensive line and strategic acquisitions.

• Steelers’ Struggles: The Steelers are expected to finish with a losing record, primarily due to offensive shortcomings despite a strong defensive lineup.

• Colts' Playoff Aspirations: Contrary to conventional wisdom, John forecasts that Daniel Jones will steer the Indianapolis Colts into the playoffs, leveraging the team's robust defense and emerging offensive talents.

• Dolphins' Potential Reboot: The Miami Dolphins are predicted to undergo a significant turnaround, revitalizing their offense and competitive standing within the league.

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7. Player Development and Team Strategy

Discussion Highlights: The conversation shifts to player development and how teams are strategizing to maximize their rosters' potential. Colin emphasizes the importance of depth and versatile players in maintaining a competitive edge throughout the season.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd [13:32]: "It's becoming a depth league because you can't stack your rosters."

• John Middletop [46:33]: "They feel like an NBA team. Star players everywhere, high price. Something's missing."

Key Insights:

• Depth Over Star Power: Both hosts agree that having a deep roster with versatile players is more advantageous than relying solely on star power. This depth allows teams to adapt to injuries and maintain consistent performance levels.

• Strategic Acquisitions: Emphasis is placed on the strategic acquisition of players who can fill multiple roles, ensuring that teams remain resilient throughout the grueling NFL season.

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8. Conclusion and Closing Remarks

Colin wraps up the hour by reiterating the importance of strategic planning and versatile player development in both the NBA and NFL. He teases upcoming topics, including detailed analysis of the AFC and NFC, and hints at future guest appearances from notable sports figures like Rick Pitino.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd [50:17]: "I've said, you know I think I've said this. You've heard me say this. I like everything about the Colts."

• John Middletop [50:17]: "If this doesn't go well, which I don't think many people think it will, is could this be his last season in the NFL?"

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Final Thoughts: "Hour 1 - Bold Predictions" sets a high standard for the series, offering insightful analysis backed by informed opinions. Colin Cowherd and John Middletop provide listeners with a comprehensive look at upcoming sports seasons, blending statistical analysis with strategic foresight. Whether discussing emerging NBA talents or forecasting NFL team performances, this episode promises to engage and inform sports enthusiasts eager to hear bold and thoughtful predictions.

Transcript

[Colin Cowherd]

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[John Middletop]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[John Middletop]

I did. I was surprised. My key card worked this morning, but I'm here, so I made it in the building bagel ready to roll.

[Colin Cowherd]

His key card worked again. So I saw this story. The draft is tomorrow, and Cooper flag is going to go number one. So he played at Duke. So obviously you, me and our dogs watched Cooper Flag play a few times, and he was in the tournament. He's a great player. I think he's a better version eventually. Not now, but eventually of like a Jason Tatum, Brian Scalabrini, who does a really good job. He's a broadcaster in Boston. We've had him on the show before. He was talking about what is game, what, what, what, what. Cooper flags game is like LeBron has.

[John Middletop]

Scored 50,000 points, doesn't have a go to shot.

[Colin Cowherd]

I'm not sure he has a go to shot.

[John Middletop]

It's just a basketball player that makes things happen.

[Colin Cowherd]

LeBron's a freak of nature defensively. He's a freak of nature defensively.

[John Middletop]

LeBron can run point. He can run point. Six, eight point guard. Six, eight point guard.

[Colin Cowherd]

Like, he. He trends like that. I have never been into guys with an absolute go to move. The best restaurants I've ever been at don't have a signature dish. They just do everything. Well, you can get a Cobb salad, you can get a chicken parm. The cocktails are good. So are the desserts. Everything's good. That's a good restaurant. And I always remember this. When I was in college, when I was in college, I want to be a baseball announcer. I wanted to be like, you know, like a Vin Scully or something, right? Or a Dick Enberg. And I remember everybody had a home run call. Everybody had a home run call. And the two favorite guys. When I was in college, my two favorite broadcasters were a young Bob Costas and a young Al Michaels. And they didn't. They didn't need a gimmick. I didn't need a fly ball to left followed by, get out those spatula, grandma. We're making fried potatoes and hash. Just call the game, be good at everything. I don't need a signature home run call. When I started watching UFC 20 years ago, every fighter had, like, one style. They were a kickboxer, a wrestler or a boxer. Now the best fighters can do everything. Quarterbacks, I want mobility. I want you to be good in the pocket. I want you to be good pre snap. Jaden Daniels is good at everything. Yeah, he can run. He's great in the pocket. He's smart, he's good pre snap. He's good early in games, he's good in the two minute drill. Like I. I'm not looking for specialization. I don't need a bag. James Harden's game feels sticky. He'll finish as one of the great scorers of all time. Carmelo Anthony would never take two steps back and hit a three. Like he didn't play defense. I think he'll be a good broadcaster. But his game, I don't need definition on one move. If you have one like Kareem, well, Colin, what about Kareem? Yeah, but Kareem wasn't a ball handler. He wasn't a playmaker. He didn't have the ball in his hands much. Back in his era. The point guard ran the show and always had the ball. You would never let the center or the power forward touch it until they got the ball down low. So Kareem had to develop a signature move. And it was great for him. But the best guys now, like Wemby, Wemby can put it on the floor, he can shoot at three, he can drive, he can do everything. And that's Cooper flag. I look at it this way, if I want specialization, it'll be for a surgeon, a heart surgeon, a brain surgeon. But I want my basketball players to be like a general practitioner. I got poison ivy. I broke my wrist. Can you help me with both? I got a rash. Help me fix it. I broke my ankle. Can you mend it? That's what I'm looking for. So I don't need a go to move. I think Cooper flag is a more aggressive version of Jason Tatum. And what have I always said about Jason Tatum? He's an A player. If he was more aggressive, he'd be an A plus player. So that's what I think he's going to be. I don't need a signature dish at a restaurant and I don't need a signature move. Kareem had to have one. But in today's basketball, LeBron James led the NBA last year. Think about this. LeBron James at his age led the NBA in getting a bucket in the fourth quarter. And the knock on LeBron is. Well, he doesn't have a signature move that's because he's a better ball handler than Michael Jordan or Kareem. He's a better ball handler. He elevates others. He's smart. LeBron always gets a really good shot when you need him to get a good shot. He's not limited or boxed in or marginalized by having to go to his signature move. So I think Cooper Flag is going to get drafted. I think he's going to average almost 20 a game as a rookie. I think he's going to have a great back wall of defense in Dallas and their bigs behind him. And the thing I like most about him, he doesn't have a go to move. He's not concerned about having a bag. And now this story and I feel like it's the 13th time I've done this story. The Boston Celtics worked another NBA team on a trade as soon as the season ended. Between Danny Ainge and, and Brad Stevens. They seemingly work every team. It's like Howie Roseman and the Eagles. Don't pick the phone up. Just don't pick it up. So Drew Holiday, I've always liked Drew Holiday, but he got really old really fast. And the Celtics have new owners and their books are all messed up. They got to, they got to go work on their cap sheet. So yesterday they called Portland. Portland took his monstrous contract and he's not the same player. He didn't make an all defensive team last year. And this happens with guys that play defense at a high level. You can age very quickly. Defense is hard, defense becomes injuries. Defense, you're on the floor. Defense is hard work. And Jrue Holiday has been a great defensive player and for five years I think it was all defense, right? He didn't make it, he didn't make it last year and he looked suddenly kind of old. So the Celtics have to clean up their books. They move him and they get. And they get a younger player, a cheaper player, a better offensive player from Portland and. And for Simons, who they're going to rent for one year because Tatum's gone and they need his scoring and then he's out. Now Simons doesn't really necessarily fit Boston's culture. He's not a great defender. He doesn't elevate others. But he can shoot threes and nobody shoots more threes than Boston, so he'll be a good fit. But mostly what they did is got Drew Holiday off the books. They got second rounders in this deal, a couple of them. They got a younger, cheaper player with an expiring contract. How do they do it? But I'll tell you what's happening in the NFL and in the NBA. It's not just the big swing. You got to win on the margins because you know the salary cap in the NFL is pretty tight. And with the new aprons and CBA and the NBA. Phoenix went big with KD and Bradley Beal and it was a disaster. Dame Lillard to Milwaukee didn't work. But look at what Indiana did with Obi Toppin for a couple second round picks. That was a great move. TJ McConnell. And go look at Sam Presti's getting Isaiah Hartenstein or Alex Caruso. It's winning on the margins. Now you are limited on the big swings. And I said this yesterday. Most of our lives in the NBA we knew like Jerry west was a general manager or Pat Riley became a GM. We didn't talk GMs. We didn't talk. I mean, one of the great GMs in league history. 90% of sports fans wouldn't know who San Antonio's GM was. R.C. buford. He was like the Howie Roseman of the NBA. We didn't talk about it. Now figure out who the GMs are. You have got to make these smart moves. Remember Denver wins a title a couple years ago and I fell for it. I'm like, okay, Jokic is the best player in the world. Gordon's a great defensive player. By the way, Gordon was one of those margin moves. But all of a sudden they lost kcp. Well, KCP was their shot maker. Later if Jokic wasn't and they lose, was it Bruce Brown? They lost another and you start losing those guys. Well, Jokic is still great. Gordon's still great. Porter still Porter. Jamal Murray still Jamal Murray. Malone can still coach. It was the guys on the edges. They got bad, they got worse. Defensively, they became too Jokic dependent. If Murray got hurt, they didn't have another shot creator. So it is now becoming a margins league. And this is what Boston just did. They got a guy who's aging off the books. They get draft picks. Boston always gets multiple draft picks. They get a younger, cheaper player with an expiring contract who can shoot a bunch of threes the day the season ends. The minute the season ends, they don't do it during like Phoenix, they don't do it. You know, Houston and Phoenix, they're doing it day of the finals. Lee does not like that. The minute the season ends, Brad Stevens, boom. Next day, got a deal. Draft picks, younger, cheaper player off the books in a year as Tatum's hurt. So you can go big game hunting. And I'm not opposed to big game hunting, but I don't consider Katie to Houston big game hunting. Giannis is big game hunting. But, but when I look at kd, you are accentuating a strength. You move some pieces, but you have to pay a 5 year max for KD. That doesn't feel like big game hunting. It's smart hunting, but boy, Boston does it. Danny Ainge, Brad Stevens, it's got, it's got. This is what the NFL is really all about. You know, it's like that's why I kept saying for Chicago, they went and got DJ Moore, didn't win any more games. Watch Joe Tuney, Drew Dahlman, the center, Jonah Dak, all those interior offensive linemen, those feel more like what kind of marginal moves. We don't talk guards on this show. Watch Chicago improve dramatically. It's not just the wide receiver, the left tackle and the quarterback. So the Celtics do it again. You know, you know this as a former. You work for the Philadelphia Eagles. You know this is that the media, myself included, we love the big swing.

[John Middletop]

Yeah.

[Colin Cowherd]

But a lot of times it's, it's fixing your guard, center guard combination and in the NBA, it's, it's getting that first guy off the bench and adding depth. It's becoming a depth league because you can't stack your rosters.

[John Middletop]

I was with the Eagles when they signed Namdi Awesome. Wa didn't go well last year. How he signed Zach Bon, All Pro, super bowl, special teams guy, $4 million.

[Colin Cowherd]

You know, that's that, that, that it, it's a remarkable how this stuff works so good for Boston. We got a lot of stuff today. Caitlin Clark smartly turns down an offer. We find out today, draft tomorrow. And one player I think is pulling a little bit of a Shador Sanders and I don't love it. We'll talk about that. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am.

[John Middletop]

Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and.

[Colin Cowherd]

The iHeartra video app. Hi, this is Jay. I'm the producer of the Paulie and Tony Fusco show. Usually in these promos, they ask you to listen to the show. I'm here to ask you, please don't listen to the show. The hosts are two absolute morons who have the dumbest takes on sports imaginable. Don't listen to this show so it can get canceled. What the hell are you doing in our studio? Get him, Paulie. Ignore that fool.

[John Middletop]

Listen to the Paulie and Tony Fusco.

[Colin Cowherd]

Show on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcast. He's still moving. The NBA Finals are here and this is your last chance to bet on the NBA until next season. And DraftKings Sportsbook, an official sports betting partner of the NBA, is pulling out all the stops to make this a finals to remember. One team will be crowned champ and the other will be lost to history. Who do you have winning it all? Put your hoops expertise to the test. All season long, DraftKings has been the go to spot for NBA player props, and that doesn't stop now. Ready to place your first bet? Just download the DraftKings sportsbook app. Now lock in your bets, finish this season as a winner, and here's something special new DraftKings customers. All you have to do is bet $5 bet five bucks to get $300 in bonus bets. If your bet wins, don't miss your last chance to bet on the NBA this season. Download the Draft Kings Sportsbook app. The code is HERD H E R D HERD for new customers to get $300 in bonus bets. If your bet wins by betting just five bucks only on DraftKings, the crown is yours. Gambling problem. Call 1-800-GAMBLER in New York. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text hopeny467-369 in Connecticut.

[John Middletop]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[John Middletop]

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[Colin Cowherd]

Age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Bet must win to receive reward. Minimum minus 500 odds required bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see dkng Summer is 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. Everybody loves a good MVP story and the story of Wasabi Technologies is one of the best. Wasabi is purpose built to free businesses from skyrocketing storage costs and unpredictable egress fees from old and top heavy legacy providers. You know the big guys Wasabi is the world's hottest cloud storage company, becoming the go to provider for professional and collegiate sports teams and leagues around the world. And here's why. From Wasabi's AI enabled intelligent media storage, Wasabi Air to the industry's only cloud storage service with triple protection against cybercriminals, data deletion and ransomware, Wasabi has taken the lead in driving innovation in data storage, eliminating overhead where it matters to deliver you results you can count on and won't break the bank. In fact, Wasabi is up to 80% less than those other guys and doesn't charge a cent for businesses to access their own data. Wasabi Another championship story. Check them out for [e-mail] Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage proud partner of the Volume Podcast Network the following heartwarming yet informative scene is brought to you by Trust and Will Son. Your grandpa and I used to work on this car together and when I'm gone, I want you to have it. Wow. Thanks dad. Doesn't count. What you need is a will. Luckily, Trust and Will makes it easy. Designed by attorneys but customized by you, you can easily create a state specific, legally valid document that actually counts. Now let's let the engine do the talking. Am I right? Start your [e-mail] use offer code count for 20% off and make it count. Trust and Will is an online estate planning service. For details, see trustandwill.com all right, welcome back. So I said this yesterday. I wasn't picking the Oklahoma City Thunder. It may have felt like it, but I said in the last seven years I thought they were probably the fifth or the sixth best championship team. They had one true dependable elite score and he had multiple bad games in the tournament. But I think the thing I'm struck with with SGA is what an adult he is, how mature he is, what a nice guy he is, how how consistent his personality is. He doesn't take the bait from the media Looking for quotes. He's just a real grownup, a nice guy to build your team around. He reminds me of Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles. I always trust him at the podium. I know he's giving me his best effort. I know he's coming in focused. Even when Jalen Hurts has a bad Sunday and he had one against the Rams, I know he was focused. I know he was concentrating. I know it was the most important thing in his life. And I like that. And I was thinking about this this morning. If you watch the NBA in the 80s and 90s, you could see how angry the players often were by their dunks. Like Michael Jordan's career is largely fueled by animosity and being cut by his high school basketball team. Sean Kemp. You notice how many good players now don't dunk a lot or you don't even remember their dunks. Even though they're bigger, more athletic, they don't do it. And years ago in the 80s 90s, everybody had a nickname. Larry, legend, Air Jordan, Akeem, the Dream, the Microwave, the Admiral, Round mounder, rebound, human highlight reel. Every star had a nickname. Well, Colin. What about the Greek Freak? A teammate started that because they couldn't pronounce his name. Nicknames now often go to international guys so it's easier to remember and it's given to them by teammates. Players don't need nicknames now. Dunks and nicknames. When Magic Johnson signed a 25 year, 25 million dollar contract, you had to make money elsewhere, you had to make it in shoes. There was no social media. So a nickname got your poster, it got you a brand, it got you a car deal, it got you deals and more money. Bench guys in the NBA now, they make, they make $15 million a year. SGA. We just use that to shorten his name. It's the same with Joker. I don't think I've ever in his entire career said Giannis's last name on the air. I don't think I have at the Greek Freak, Giannis. So I think it shows the growth of the NBA. I think it's a global, international, wealthy league. I've always compared it to Premier League Soccer or Barcelona, Real Madrid. It's grown up, it's adult, it's sophisticated. You don't have to have a catchy nickname. Players aren't angry. They all go on each other's podcasts. And that's my favorite part of the young generation of players. They don't have to have a signature move. They don't, they don't play angry now, maybe, maybe many people miss that. And I, and I'll be Honest, I like Dr. J's Dunks and the round mounder rebound and angry Charles Barkley on and off the court was kind of fun. But it's a new league. And here's Alex Caruso talking about why SGA is a potential face of the.

[John Middletop]

League as far as, you know, like.

[Colin Cowherd]

Face of the league and best player on best team. He's got that capability. I mean, clearly the year he's had.

[John Middletop]

Mvp, Western Conference finals mvp, Finals MVP champion. I don't think anybody in here would question his ability. And I think the thing that sets.

[Colin Cowherd]

Him apart is he'll probably be hungry for more. Listen, star players today. Wemby, do you know what he did? Do you know what Wemby did this offseason? He went to China, a Buddhist temple, to practice as a monk. Jokic, by the way, did not want to be in the Nuggets parade. He wanted to go back home. He wanted to hide. And you know, any time I see like, you know, you'll see sometimes, like athletes doing something, they're at a fan fest or something. And I always think to myself, why you don't have to join every club. Why? And this new NBA players don't get into a lot of trouble. You don't hear about it a lot. They're not at clubs as often. They're on match.com or tinder or wherever young guys go. But it really does show a pivot to the NBA. The stars are hiding. They don't need ancillary income to make it after their shoes and after their game. And SGA is the. He's like the poster for that is like never lights the fire. He is. Jalen hurts at a podium. If there's a fire, he's the cooler. If there's impending trouble, he brings everybody down. That's modern NBA basketball. That's my quarterback as an NBA star. And you know, I like that. John Middelkoff with the news. No, no, no, no.

[John Middletop]

Turn on the news. This is the Herd line news. Speaking of quarterbacks, Colin Josh Allen coming off an M, but his season ended before he would have liked losing a tight game to the Chiefs in the AFC title game. Allen said that while the MVP award was a great honor, his resume still has a hole in it until he wins the ring. Adding that is the only goal is.

[Colin Cowherd]

You know, I look at him and I've thought about this. Let's say he doesn't win a ring. I think he Will, and I think he'll win a couple, but then he'll be in that Jim Kelly, Dan Marino class. He'll still be a Hall of Famer, but you just won't talk about him as much. And I mean, if you ask quarterbacks today, in fact, I heard Brady talking about this a month ago who had the best arm. He's like Marino and I what I don't want because Marino got a lot of attention when he played. He had. Don Shulet was Dan Marino. He was a star. He was on national commercials. I don't think Josh is that interested in doing that stuff. Like he, again, he's the modern star. Like he makes enough money. This he's just got married. He doesn't need to do a lot of commercials. I hope he doesn't. And I say this respectfully to Dan. I hope he doesn't become Dan Marino because I do think there's an argument including Elway, Marino and Mahomes, he's the most physically gifted quarterback in the history of the league.

[John Middletop]

Well, think about it. We're coming off an era. Obviously, Brady surpasses Montana, but Peyton was winning. Peyton won multiple rings. Rodgers won a ring, Breeze, Roethlisberger, they're all champions this era. Mahomes is the king. We know the two next best quarterbacks are Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson.

[Colin Cowherd]

And Burrow Burrows close.

[John Middletop]

These guys are winning. MVPs are great players.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah.

[John Middletop]

Who knows? I mean, what if Jared Goff wins a ring this year? What if Purdy gets one in a couple years? I mean, it's hard to get them. Now, these guys, one of these two guys, Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson, could go ringless and have a Marino like career. Where we go, he's one of the greatest players I've ever seen. He just couldn't get it done.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. And I also think Josh and Lamar both, and I'm guessing here, because players careers last longer, I would say Josh and Lamar have probably four more prime years and then three to four after that where they just don't want to get hit as much. But you are getting to a point with Josh now. He's expensive. There are limitations on the roster. You got about four more prime years and then it gets trickier because you're not going to be paying him less because you're not going to. There's no other Josh Allen on the market. He could play till 45 if he wanted to. He won't, but he could. So these years are important.

[John Middletop]

And Josh, unlike Lamar, has played well against the Chiefs in These playoff games, Right. The defense just didn't make a play. The coach screwed up. They've been right there. I'm with you. I believe that Josh Allen will get a Super bowl ring before it's all said and done.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah.

[John Middletop]

Okay. Onto a team right down the road, the Rams. They're fresh off a Hawaiian minicamp that we discussed yesterday. One thing that came up in the Maui trip were some comments that the president, Kevin dimafit, and he discussed one of the team's goals going forward outside of a Super Bowl. We already have America's team in the Cowboys and more recently, the Chiefs. But according to Dema Demoff, the Rams are looking to become the world's team. Is that possible, Colin?

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, I mean, you know, it's funny. They play in a lot of different places. Have they played a game in Southeast Asia yet? I don't know if they have not. No.

[John Middletop]

I mean, they used to do that. I remember when I was a kid in the 90s. But they've been over there.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, they're not the most popular team in their division, the Niners.

[John Middletop]

By far, they're not the most popular team in Los Angeles. I've been to it. Niner, Rams game. The NER sold.

[Colin Cowherd]

You know, I. I think this is. And again, I think in the NFL, to some degree, you are as popular as your quarterback. I mean, the Philadelphia Eagles went a lot of years on this show when I didn't talk about it. Then they get the owner. I mean, they had bad owners. They had weird, wonky owners for a long time. Then they get Jeff Lurie, then it's Howie Roseman. I mean, if they didn't have Jalen Hurts and they were banging around looking for a quarterback, they're not on the show. So I think in the NFL, because of the rule changes, it really comes down to, do you have an offensive coach and a star quarterback. I mean, let's take Green Bay. Green Bay felt huge during Favre's tenure. Gigantic. Madden was in love with them. And then they felt not quite as big, kind of underachieving with Aaron Rodgers, but they were still a huge brand. I mean, like, in their division. I think people are more excited about the Bears this year than Green Bay, because they're not. At this point, we're not sure if they're good at quarterback.

[John Middletop]

Before we become the world's team, can we just become the city's team? I mean, they're the third biggest brand here, right? We got the Dodgers, the Lakers.

[Colin Cowherd]

That's true.

[John Middletop]

You have the Niners. Biggest brand in Northern California. I've lived in Philly. The Philly. You got to be the biggest brand in your own city before you can take on the world, right?

[Colin Cowherd]

I think that's fair.

[John Middletop]

I like the big, the big thinking though last but not least, your guy used to be your guy. Maybe you've pivoted. Russell Wilson is a member now of the Giants as he lands his third team in as many seasons. Bouncing around a little bit. Speaking at the fanatics fest over the weekend, Russ broke down his reasoning for signing with the New York Giants because of him. Big, big reason of it, you know.

[Colin Cowherd]

You know, I really wanted to play.

[John Middletop]

With a guy that's special like him. I think also too a lot of guys have put a lot of hard work into it.

[Colin Cowherd]

We've got a really good defense rush in the fat certain. We got a lot of dudes. Yeah, I'm not an anti Russ guy. I was a big Russ guy because I never thought he got quite the credit. But at some point you would have to be loyal to honesty. Pete Carroll moved off him. Sean Payton moved off him and last year another team moved off him. Mike Tomlinson. So those are three hall of Fame level coaches all moved off him. And so my take is they're seeing something on tape. There's something about him that people aren't willing to put the hooks in going forward. And so I just, I think I've watched and reassessed my earlier opinions.

[John Middletop]

There's no disputing. For the six, seven years in his prime, he was one of the best players in the league. That's one of the more dynamic players. I've seen him live.

[Colin Cowherd]

He got guys drafted.

[John Middletop]

He was incredible. But whatever version this guy is now is no longer that. And let's he's on the Giants. That was his only option. Where was he going? I mean. And let's face it, if this doesn't go well, which I don't think many people think it will, is could this be his last season in the NFL? You talk about this forever. These big brands, these big names, it's hard for them to be backups. Could this be it?

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, it's interesting. I had dinner with a Giants fan last night and we were talking about Jackson Dart and my take is I didn't love the draft of Jackson Dart because Russell is going to start and let's say they win a couple early games, you're going to keep playing him well, then Jackson Dart plays only later and next year there's six potential first round draft picks at Quarterback and I don't think dart is as good a prospect as most of those. So by drafting Jackson Dart, unless they flush out the GM and the coach, you're going to have to give Jackson Dart more Runway. So it's a weird, it's a weird thing if you're Brian Dable and you start winning with Russell. You can make an argument if you start. I don't think they will compiling wins. Don't play Jackson Dart right. Like so don't have people see the glimpses of excellence or else your owners like going to be no, don't draft this quarterback. And you're like, they're much better prospects. So I think their quarterback situation's odd.

[John Middletop]

What if they're not compiling wins though?

[Colin Cowherd]

And I don't think they are, that's.

[John Middletop]

Where the owner is going to want to see him. Day ball. You know, Tomlin had this weird loyalty last year to Russ as the season went on and wouldn't go back to Justin Fields. I don't think Dabal and Joe Shane will. So I would expect. We talked about this yesterday. Jackson Dart to be inserted much earlier than later.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, you know, I was thinking about this as I was talking to a Giants fan last night. I looked up the schedule. It shows you the depth in this league right now. I mean there are some really bad teams at the bottom. But if you look at the Giants schedule, I don't, I don't have high hopes for Dallas, but Washington was a tire fire for 15 years. They're now special. Look at their first four or five games. Chargers always underachieved, won't anymore with Harbaugh. I mean you get Washington, Kansas City, then you go into the Chargers two weeks later. Well, Sean, Sean Payton's turned around the Broncos in Denver, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, San Francisco. There are John there, there are some bad teams in this league but because there's more and more good offensive coaches, more good GMs. You talked about coaches in the NFC. There are not a lot of. There are not a lot of rest stops in this league. New Orleans is one of the teams we know will not be good. It's a short list.

[John Middletop]

Perhaps still not an easy place to play.

[Colin Cowherd]

That's right.

[John Middletop]

That dome and they're going to the Chicago Bears. Who knows how good. That's not an easy place to play at the Patriots. I mean later in the season that gets cold.

[Colin Cowherd]

This is a.

[John Middletop]

This tough schedule, Colin. I mean this is. This got four or five wins written all over it.

[Colin Cowherd]

Again, I was going to say 3 and 14 is not off the radar. John Middelkopf with the news. Well, that's the news.

[John Middletop]

And thanks for stopping by the herd line news.

[Colin Cowherd]

There's always been criticism with LeBron James and you know, he can be polarizing. I understand that. But I've always thought he elevates others. He's very unselfish when it comes to basketball. He always works for the best shot. I defended him early in his career when people are like, well, well, how come he doesn't take the shot? Because he's always been more magic than Michael Jordan. He's a great distributor, one of the great passers ever. Not just, just. I'm not talking. I mean, I'm talking in the magic Bird class. He's a great passer. It's not always fun, clever, but it's great. He gets the ball right in the shooter's hands at the perfect spot at the perfect time. The other thing I always defended LeBron James on is he didn't join the slam dunk contest. And people are like, why not? Michael Jordan did. Well, Michael Jordan's brand was dunking. He leaned into it because of his hand size and his vertical. Michael again was like David Thompson for, for those of you in your 20s and 30s before Michael, there was a player named David Thompson with injuries. He had a 48 inch vertical. His vertical was better than Michael Jordan's. He was an unbelievable player. He didn't look like any player. He was a better jumper than Dr. J and Michael, but he, he didn't have quite the hand size apparently. So. But Michael leaned into the dunk contest. It was great for his brand and Dr. J, but magic didn't do it. Bird didn't do it. LeBron could have done it, but I always felt he was too big for it. The same way I feel about Shohei Otani and Aaron Judge now. Yeah, they did a home run derby once. They're too big for it. And the story came out about Caitlin Clark yesterday that she turned down a chance for the three on three team at the 2024 Olympics. And it seems like an honor until you realize Jimmer for that played on Team USA's 3 on 3 team. We have to be honest with Caitlin Clark now. She is not part of the moment for the WNBA. She is the moment. Ratings dropped 55% not just on Fever games. League wide. She's too big for this. And I, Tom Cruise, should not be on Love Island. You know, whenever I see celebrities, you know, on these, you've seen these celebrity shows like Celebrity island or Celebrity Dance competitions. I always think, ah, career's not going well. Christian Pulisic, I, I defended him. Why should Christian Pulisic be at the Gold Cup, Olympics and Europe? That's what Jokic does. He makes his money in the NBA. He plays for his country. There's no reason for Jokic to play for the FIBA World Championships and there's no reason for Pulisic to be in the Gold Cup. Tiger woods very early in his career was like, I'm not going to play every tournament. Scotty Scheffler now uses great discretion when choosing tournaments. Rory McElroy has moved off some. So I think we have to be honest about this. Caitlin Clark should be doing the Olympics. She should be playing for the Indiana Fever. That's it. I don't even want, I wonder now at this point, should she be in the shooting contest at the All Star Game? We know she's the best shooter in the league. Why risk losing? Like there's, what's the value? She's not going to make any more money. She's not going to get any more merch. Like for her, it has to be strategy. Years ago, years ago, David Falk was Michael Jordan's agent. He told me a fascinating story. I'm sure some of you have heard it, some of you have not. But years ago, Nike, and they were going to make money on this, offered Michael Jordan to play a one on one televised tournament against Magic Johnson. And Michael turned it down. Like LeBron has turned down the dunk contest. Michael Jordan, not Magic. Michael turned it down because Michael was smart enough to know. He told David Falk, he goes, Magic seen as the team guy. If he beats me at one on one, and I don't think he will, but if he did, then he's a better one on one guy and the better team guy. We can't do that to my brand. Did Michael Jordan lack courage? No. Michael smart. Michael knew Michael better than Nike. And David Falk really, really talented people knew Michael Falk later admitted Michael was right. Michael knew his brand better than even Falk and Nike. So Michael Jordan. I'm not playing Magic one on one. Shohei Ohtani is bigger than the Home Run Derby. Tom Cruise can't be on Celebrity Cook Offs. I don't want to see it. I want to see him in Mission Impossible and at the Cannes Film Festival. That's it. With his arm around Brad Pitt photo op. That's it. Okay, we got a lot of stuff today, so we're gonna, John and I are gonna go. We're gonna do the AFC today, We're gonna do the NFC tomorrow. Our three surprises in the AFC now the AFC is viewed now. Better quarterbacks, better conference. What will be three surprises? I don't know his. Maybe he doesn't know mine. That is next. It's the Herd. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific. Summer is here and you can now get almost any 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. 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[John Middletop]

Gold cup quarterfinal as the U.S. men's National Team takes on Costa Rica. No easy path, no second chances. Coverage begins Sunday at 6pm Eastern on Fox.

[Colin Cowherd]

Nick Wright joining us top of next hour. So a lot of things going on. Rick Patino will join us tomorrow. I am told it is a very good draft. Last year was very international. You know my take on this, I think going forward, college basketball players will mostly dominate the draft where it's been very internationally driven many times. And my theory is is that the nil, not that it saved college basketball, but it has made college basketball much better. Nil. Now American colleges are able to go buy the best European players at 18. And like there's there's been stories that they may consider shuttering the Spanish league because American colleges now with the nil are buying, drawing up their best players. So they come over here and play. They get excellent coaching. Also the G League, which I've always thought is nonsense, it was like trying to hurt college basketball and marginalize it. Very few G League players. Amen. Thompson is one of the few G League guys I really, really love. Most of them never kind of define their games. These finals were all about guys that went to college for at least two years. SGA is an exception, Chet Holmgren was an exception. But it was a lot of two and three year players. So I think college basketball is being empowered and and Rick Patino. We'll talk about the draft. It is Rutger guys and it's Arizona guys and it's Duke guys and I think that helps the NBA. That's what makes college football in the NFL. So great is the marriage is that you you're rooting for against Baker Mayfield, but you know who he is. You're viscerally connected to Baker Mayfield or Caleb Williams. You may not like Lincoln Riley, but you were interested in Caleb Williams because of Lincoln Riley. And these college guys, there's just, you know, they're either not. They're going international, they're going G league, they're going to play college basketball. You're going to see them at least one year in March. But like a Zach Edie, Purdue can pony up some money and he can stay another year. And I was interested to watch Zach Edie last year in college basketball. If Purdue was on, I was watching. So I think this is going to empower college basketball. The drafts going forward are going to be more. It's not that they're going to be more domestic but there's going to be higher quality, more mature players like Cooper flag that can help you immediately. And I think Cooper flag with that great back front line for Dallas, I think he comes in averages 18 a game. They're a playoff team. I think Dallas of healthy will be the second best team in the west next year. It'll go, you know okc Houston and Dallas gonna be very good. John, you're looking at me. You ready to go?

[John Middletop]

I'm ready.

[Colin Cowherd]

Okay. I'm just gabfest over here. So we're gonna do AFC today, we're gonna do NFC tomorrow. These are our surprises. These would be surprising moves and big headlines if they happen all start. I think Kansas City is a wild card team and Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers now they have their running back situation and offensive tackle set upgraded receiver. Last year the only thing they were missing was juice. Offensively their defense finished almost near the top of the league. It went from last to near first in one year. They, they built the culture last year but free agency and a draft and you know, you know Harbaugh is good at the draft. I think they're going to be one of the better teams in the league. I think they're an 1112 win team and the Chiefs come into the season, which would concern me with offensive line issues. So I like the Chargers to win the division.

[John Middletop]

You're going to think I'm nuts. Daniel Jones leads the Colts to the playoffs. This race is over. He's going to be the starting quarterback. You would have said two years ago. Baker Mayfield leads Tampa to the playoffs. No chance. Last year. Sam Darnold leads the Minnesota Vikings. The 14 wins. No chance. What does he get in Indy? An offensive coach who created the start of Jalen hurts his career. Yes, a great running game a lot. Like a couple years ago when he had a healthy stake. Juan Barkley. Jonathan Taylor almost had 1500 yards last year. The division stinks. The Jags haven't been good ever. Obviously. The Houston Texans a lot of moving, a lot of moving parts, a lot of question marks with the offense. And the Titans know depth. So when you just look at the division, you look at recent high picks, who's who've resurrected their career. The Colts have pretty good players. And just a couple years ago, Lou Amaruno, their new defensive coordinator, one of the best defensive coordinators in the league. Did he just get dumb overnight?

[Colin Cowherd]

No.

[John Middletop]

The Bengals let all their players go. So I think the Colts. Daniel Jones a little like Alex Smith when Jim Harbaugh got to the Niners. They're not gonna ask him to do some. They're not looking for 40 touchdowns here. Throw me 20.

[Colin Cowherd]

Interesting. Mike Tomlin. The Steelers after 18 years without losing record will have one. First of all, I think Baltimore, now they've upgraded their secondary, may have the second best roster to Philadelphia in the sport. I think Joe Burrow may be the best quarterback on any Sunday in the sport. Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback, well, he was 5 and 12 last year. He didn't do well with a defensive culture in New York. There's less dysfunction in Pittsburgh, but not necessarily on the offensive side. They lost their leading rusher, their left tackle, their leading receiver. I like DK Metcalf, but he can be booty too. I just think the reality is they spend too much money on defense, not enough on offense. The T.J. watt contract extension will be hovering over their head. I don't think they're going to be a six win team, but I think eight is probably the number. Mike Tomlin finally losing record.

[John Middletop]

Zach Taylor seems like a good guy, but I. I think this will be his last season in Cincinnati. The Bengals will have a new coach in 2026. This team feels like an NBA team. Star players everywhere, high price. Something's missing. I mean their star Defensive player, which you kind of need a pass rusher. Nowhere to be found. The guy they drafted to replace him showed up, said, I'm out. I mean, classic Bengals, Joe Burrow pressure. We saw him throw a bunch of touchdowns last year, have an incredible offensive season. They still couldn't make the playoffs.

[Colin Cowherd]

Crazy.

[John Middletop]

Division's hard. We're all going to pick the Ravens. The conference is really hard. How good the AFC west is now. The Patriots are going to be much better. We think that the. The AFC south will be a little more competitive. I just think this Bengals thing, you could see it coming from a mile away. And the other thing, when you have Joe Burrow and you have Jamar Chase, some of these guys under contract think how desirable that job would be for some of these coaches. And I just think that Zach Taylor, again, seems like a nice guy. They always start slow, and they do a lot of negative momentum. I feel like coming into this season.

[Colin Cowherd]

For the Bengals and my final one, Dolphins blowout. Mike McDaniel and the GM. They went from number two scoring offense to 22 last year. Inexplicably bad offensive line and no backup to tua. If you have two as a quarterback, the two things you have to have are a good old line and a capable backup. They have neither. They overpaid for Jalen Ramsey. Now they're looking, you know, Tyreek Hill, a lot of splashy moves. I don't feel like there's a lot of stake. It's a lot of sizzle. The best teams in this league, none of them have battle lines. They just lost. Armstead just retired. So I don't like their direction. I think McDaniels, this is a team that's run through coaches. Scott Greer, don't know him, but I haven't loved the moves. I think both Greer, Chris Greer. I think Chris Greer and Mike McDaniel are gone after a. Remember, New England now is really good, potentially really good. Buffalo is winning the division. Third place gets both the GM and the coach removed.

[John Middletop]

Speaking of the Patriots, I think they make the playoffs. I mean, is there a bigger coaching upgrade? I mean, Pete Carroll and Mike Frable, but Mike Frable's got more to work with. Like you said, the defense stinks. And the other thing is they got an offensive coordinator to go with Drake May. Josh McDaniels, not a great head coach, excellent offensive coordinator. Patriots schedule not very difficult. I like the Patriots to be playing some games in January like old times, you know.

[Colin Cowherd]

So here we go. I got the chargers winning the AFC West. The Steelers will have a losing record probably 8 and 9. The Dolphins start over total reboot and then John I don't think Daniel Jones leading the Colts to the playoffs. He made the playoffs in New York.

[John Middletop]

I know. And way more talent on this roster. Again they're just looking 9, 10 wins. I'm not talking 12, 13. Could he save Chris Ballard and Shane Sikens career owners, you passed away recently. Obviously the girls are now in charge.

[Colin Cowherd]

I've said, you know I think I've said this. You've heard me say this. I like everything about the Colts. They when Andrew Luck retired, they get wins. It was pretty good. And then they get Philip Rivers for a year. It was actually excellent. But they felt like the the late owner had a strong opinion on the quarterback situation and Andrew Luck leaving really illustrates how hard it is to find a quarterback because their O line's good. They get a pass rush, they've got nice receivers. They have a star backfield. They have maybe the first or second best guard in the league in Quentin Else. They have really good pieces. Yeah but when Andrew Luck retired they did a remarkable job went into Philip Rivers. They're just trying. It's a life preserver offensive situation and Daniel Jones may be it. We're not talking 13 wins but playoffs in that division may be nine for sure. Nick Right around the corner BMW didn't just design an electric suv. Every detail of the BMW IX was crafted with passion and precision. With a BMW IX, you'll experience unmatched power, utility, spaciousness, versatility. My favorite feature, cloud based navigation, monitors charge levels, locates nearby charging stations so I can drive electric with the ultimate ease. BMW lets performance do the talking and the scouting report is in. Experience the all electric BMW IX and witness dedication in every detail. The following heartwarming yet informative scene is brought to you by Trust and Will. Son, your grandpa and I used to work on this car together. And when I'm gone, I want you to have it. Wow. Thanks dad. Doesn't count. What you need is a will. Luckily, Trust and Will makes it easy. Designed by attorneys but customized by you, you can easily create a state specific, legally valid document that actually counts. Now let's let the engine do the talking. Am I right? Start your [e-mail] use offer code, count for 20% off and make it count. Trust and Will is an online estate planning service. For details, see trustandwill.com Looking to transform your business through better HR and payroll? Meet Paycor, a paychecks company. The powerhouse solution that empowers leaders to drive results. From recruiting and development to payroll and analytics, paycor connects you with the people, data, and expertise you need to succeed. Their innovative platform helps you make smarter decisions about your most valuable asset, your people. Are you ready to become a better leader? Visit paycor.com leadership to learn more. That's paycor.com leaders. You've heard me talk about Green River Whiskey, the official Whiskey of the Herd podcast. I love a good metaphor, so here's one for you. Green River Whiskey is like a big playoff win by your favorite team, always sure to raise your spirits. So pair the thrills of this playoff season with Green River Whiskey. To find Green river near you, head on over to greenriverwhiskey.com here's the green River Whiskey Raise your Spirits, a product of Green River Distilling Company, Owensboro, Kentucky. Alcohol by volume, varies by product. Greenriverwhiskey.com Please drink responsibly. This is an iHeart podcast.