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Restaurant Host
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Rocket Mortgage Representative
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Jason McIntyre
Equal housing lender licensed in all 50 states nmlscomeraccess.org 3030 Wendy's is the official.
Wendy's Representative
Hamburger of March Manners, which means more deals for you and more burgers for your face. It also means we got a junior bacon cheeseburger or a double stack for $1 with an in app offer and a purchase. It's hard not to get excited when there's an offer of two of the freshest hot off the grill burgers that Wendy's makes. The Junior Bacon Cheeseburger with the fresh beef, applewood, smoked bacon, cheese, crispy lettuce, tomato and mayo and a hot and juicy double stack with two patties of fresh never frozen beef with cheese, ketchup, mustard, pickle, onion. The real champions of March Madness. Head to Wendy's app and grab a $1 junior bacon cheeseburger or a $1 double stack with an in app offer and a purchase for the freshest deal in fast food. Gotta be Wendy's in Mississippi.
Larison Campbell
Yazoo clay keeps secrets.
Wendy's Representative
7,000 bodies out there or more.
Larison Campbell
A forgotten asylum cemetery.
Jason McIntyre
It was my family's mystery.
Larison Campbell
Shame, guilt, propriety. Something keeps it all buried deep until it's not I'm Larison Campbell and this is under Yazoo Clay. Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Rocket Mortgage Representative
Thanks for listening to the Heard Podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports radio at noon to 3 Eastern, 9am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd@foxsportsradio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR.
Wendy's Representative
Now let's get this party started.
Jason McIntyre
You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. It's Friday. What's up everybody? Yes I'm still here. Jason McIntyre in for Colin Cowherd. How we doing today? I'm fired up. We got some more breaking news. Had some earlier this week. We got some now. I'm joined, joined by Alex Curry.
Alex Curry
Is that aqua Turquoise. But you could go. You could go aqua. You're not far off. It can have many. It's a feel good Friday color. Right. Vibes are high today. You're bringing the heat. You're calling everybody out on the staff.
Jason McIntyre
Already did get a donut this morning, so I'm kind of vibing on that donut. I had a great dinner last night.
Alex Curry
Sugar high.
Jason McIntyre
Yeah. And it's Friday, you know, so the weekend is here and yeah, it's exciting.
Alex Curry
It is good stuff. Let's crack exciting.
Jason McIntyre
Especially for Lakers fans. Great news. Not so great news fans for the Kansas City Chiefs. We'll get to that shortly. But I'm going to start the show with the breaking news. Like I said earlier this week we had Michael Malone shockingly getting fired by the Denver Nuggets. And then this morning I wake up to more breaking news. The Browns have signed Joe Flacco and that is not a joke. I know you're scoffing. A 40 year old J. Mac TikTok was not even around by the time Joe Flacco entered the league. Like, what are we doing here? What are the Browns doing? Ah, there's a method to their madness. Cleveland is drafting second overall and for the longest time, I and many others had Shadour Sanders penciled in for Cleveland. Folks, the slide is beginning. It's starting to sound like Cleveland is not going to go. Shador Sanders 2 in the draft and they decided they kicked the tires on Shador. I said, you know what? We'd rather wait for Deshaun Watson's Achilles to heal. We signed Kenny Pickett and now we got Joe Flacco as our third option. They're not taking Shador number two overall. I'm kind of sort of stunned by this. However, let's remember everybody watched college football season. It was a great season for Shador Sanders. 74% completions really turned that Colorado program around and made them relevant much of the season. We would come on here Monday, Tuesday and be like, man, did you see Shador Cook? Did you see that comeback? Did you see that ball placement to Travis Hunter? Shador looks good, bro. That's all we were saying. Deion Sanders was joking about steering his kid to certain programs or steering them away from certain organizations. That's what the discussion was here. We are 13 days to the draft, and the Browns decided we're good at quarterback. We don't need Shadora, too. But it doesn't stop there. The New York Giants, they interviewed Shador. They saw him at the pro day. Yeah, we're good with Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson. Is that not a little humbling for Shador? Like what? However, we had Dane Brugler, an NFL draft analyst, on the show yesterday. Here's what he said about Shador going in the top five.
Dane Brugler
I think he can be an NFL starter. He's smart, he's tough, he's poised, he's accurate. Maybe not as accurate as 74% completions would lead you to believe. I wonder about the way he likes to play. Does he have the physical traits to get away with that in the NFL? The offensive line was bad. There's no question about it at Colorado. But there are a lot of times where he is running himself into sacks and he's not making the right decision from the pocket. And so there's things about his profile that really, I think you can start in the NFL, but is he really going to uplift everybody around me and carry a franchise? That's. That's my hang up where, okay, I like him. I think he can start. But am I taking him top five overall? Because it's not just about. If you miss on him as a top five pick, it's okay. You're passing on Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter, one of these guys in the top five. So I wouldn't be surprised if we're talking mid first round, maybe even in the 20s.
Jason McIntyre
Wow. Well, at this point, it looks like the New Orleans Saints at 9, are kind of sort of the ceiling for Shador. Unless, you know, my jets do something crazy and decide to take him. But if you look at that like the Raiders are almost certainly not taking Shador, unless this has been a great immortal smokescreen from Pete Carroll and company. Hey, we're signing Geno Smith, but. But we're going to grab Shador as a developmental guy. And I say this because, folks, I had to look this up. Shador has not thrown a pass since December 28, and yet he's tumbling down draft boards. So what could it be? Well, this is where it gets interesting. We know that teams have whiffed on quarterbacks, right? The Panthers trade up for Bryce Young, looking like a whiff Maserati. Mitch Trubisky going ahead of Patrick Mahomes, trading up the Niners for Trey Lance. What a whiff. Um, and then we would go down those. Josh Rosen was taken like 20 some odd spots before Lamar Jackson. Teams whiff on quarterbacks. It happens. But what is should. What is Shador doing to make teams say, I don't know. Well, he went on a show this week and talked about meeting with teams and I don't know, it sounds like Shador may be turning teams off.
Wendy's Representative
When I go visit these coaches and when I go to all these different franchises, I ask them truly what I think and how I feel. And some get offended, some like it, some don't, you know, make some people uncomfortable. Some people, you know, invite that so they know what type of person, what type of player they're gonna get out of me. So I just have to make sure you know what type of person, what type of dynamic I'm gonna have with them often.
Jason McIntyre
Yeah, I don't know about that. Shador. I saw some quotes where he said he wants to come in and transform the organization. Bro, don't tell me that. Show me. I'll give you the chance to show me. If I. If you make it sound like you're worthy, but I. It sounds like Shador may be turning off teams now. If you want to get sinister, hey, he's doing this because he don't like the Browns. The Titans are a bit of a dumpster fire. The New York Giants, look at those teams. In the last like five years, they have not been good at all. And Dion has kind of taken some pot shots. Is Shadour trying to steer himself to a certain team? We don't know. But I will say this in his defense because I have thought I would go Shadora too. We've seen some quarterbacks tumble down the draft boards, right? Dan Marino famously fell bad. Hall of Famer, top 10 quarterback all time. Lamar Jackson fell to the end of the first round, two time MVP already. And then there was Aaron Rodgers, who famously, when he's in the green room, people thought he was going to go top three and he tumbles down, way down to the packers. And that was humbling. And maybe there's a world where the draft humbles Shador Sanders and the 23 year go, 23 year old goes into say Pittsburgh or New Orleans or, I don't know, someone trades for him at the end of the first round. And that kind of is the wake up call that Shador Sanders needs. All right, I'm going to pivot to the Kansas City Chiefs, a team I have a tumultuous relationship, shall we say, with their fan base. Right? It works this way. I say Something incendiary about the Chiefs. A hot take. Something that I believe in. And they yell at me and. And then laugh at me when the Chiefs deliver. Funny thing, though. Haven't heard from any of those guys in Kansas City since the Eagles flattened them in the Super Bowl. I haven't heard from any of them. And if you remember, we were in New Orleans for the show. I predicted the Eagles could run away with it. It looked prescient. I got a lot of YouTube views and Instagram. People were loving me for the super bowl prediction. Haven't heard from the Eagles fans lately. So we've had some NFL guys come on this week. Talk about gambling. Adam Chernoff, Chris Felica. And the wheel started turning last night when I started to drill down on the Kansas City Chiefs. And I I'll start with this. The off season is when you improve your roster and fix issues, plug holes. Have you guys seen the Kansas City Chiefs offseason? They haven't done a damn thing. Their biggest signing because we know the offensive line is a train wreck. It was in the Super Bowl. Then they traded Joe Tooney, who was a guard, who they moved outside. Their biggest signing was Jaylon Moore. Who, Fifth rounder out of Western Michigan, who was a backup in San Francisco. A backup. Now he's behind Trent Williams, which is kind of, you know, understandable. Trent Williams, one of the best left tackles in the league, but I think he had five starts last season. That's it. He's going to be their new left tackle. This is how desperate the Chiefs were last year on the offensive line. They tried four different guys at left tackle. Tuni ended up being the best at the end of the season, but they moved off of him. He's now in Chicago. So that's the biggest issue I've had with the Chiefs. They have not improved at all. And you know, I. I love Travis Kelsey. Me and my family like Taylor Swift. We went to see Taylor Swift in concert. I like Travis Kelsey a lot. He's a Hall of Famer. He's coming off his worst season as a pro. He's 35. Turns 36 in October. Travis Kelsey, career low. Three touchdown catches. If you look, you could draw a direct line. It was like basically the stock market on Monday. Right down Travis Kelsey's career stats. Right down, folks. I like Kelsey. Do you remember his last three playoff games last year? A ghost, invisible. Didn't do a damn thing. Showed well in the opener against Houston. After that, nothing non factor. He's the safety valve for Patrick Mahomes. And I know what you're saying. We get Rasheed rights back, okay, we'll wait to see if there's a suspension. We'll wait to see if he gets in more trouble in the next five months. But then I saw the really big issue with Kansas City. So last year they went 11 and oh in one score gains. Historic stuff. You don't see 11, zero in one score games. And the staff pointed out to me this morning, Jay, it's not just 11, 0 and 1 score. They couldn't blow out anybody. They had the worst point differential of a 15 win team in NFL history. But it gets better. Two teams in their division who finished behind them, the Chargers and Broncos, had a bigger point differential than the Kansas City Chiefs. What's that telling you? That the Chiefs are unable to blow teams out anymore because they don't have the horses. They're just not that good. They do have, however, Mahomes and Reed, arguably one of the best quarterback coach combos after Belichick and Brady in NFL history. That can only carry you so far. And you guys know if you've gambled at all one score games historically, flip year to year. Just a little tidbit. The Denver Broncos went 1, 6, 6 in one score games. So if the Broncos flip that and are, I don't know, four and three next year, three extra wins, they might take the division. I think the Chargers are probably going to win that division this year. And what happens if Kansas city goes from 11, 0 in one score games to, I don't know, 4 and 7? Oh, now we're, wait a minute. Now we're looking at like an eight or nine win team in Kansas City. And I'm not saying they're in deep trouble because obviously they're very good. But if you look at the afc, the worst teams in the AFC are getting better. Tennessee is for sure going to get better with a rookie quarterback, K. Ward. The New England Patriots added Mike Vrabel, who's an excellent coach. His record needs no introduction. They're going to be much better. The New England Patriots. Cowherd loves them. He's starting to convince me that they're a playoff team. We know the Raiders are going to be better with a real professional head coach in Pete Carroll. I got a better quarterback at Gino Smith. Here are the Chiefs opponents at home, little edge being at Arrowhead. They have to face the Ravens, the Lions, the Texans. Those are all playoff teams. The colts who were 8 and 9 and the Eagles and Commanders who were playoff teams last year and Met in the NFC Championship. That's a daunting schedule. Now on the road, they get a poo poo platter of the Cowboys, Jags, Giants, like they, they should clean those up. The Buffalo game obviously will be huge. Guys, I'm going to ask you, I'm going to be real. You look at the last three years, Kansas City has played 10 playoff games. That's more than half another season. We see this in the NBA all the time. When you make a run to the finals two, three years in a row, that following year you're drained, the bodies are breaking down, the players are wearing down and it's very, very difficult to keep that sustainability going. I'm already, I'm making the call here. It's mid April before the draft. I don't think the Kansas City Chiefs are a playoff team next year. And, and I don't think they're cratering to like a 6, 7 win team. But guys, nine wins might not make the playoffs in the AFC. Nine, nine, you're fine probably in the NFC, but nine in the AFC. When you got the Patriots on the come up, obviously the Bills are going nowhere. We know the Ravens are good. Houston Texans, C.J. stroud, they'll win the division. I think the Chargers win the division. And I think the Bengals who won nine games then still have, you know, Joe Burrow and I cow hertz convinced me the Patriots are a playoff team and I'll go. Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs missing the playoffs. Go ahead, screen, grab it, save it, tag whoever you, whoever the hell you want. I'm on record. April 2025 Kansas City Chiefs. No playoffs next season. So, Alex, I decided to choose violence here early on. What?
Alex Curry
I'm over here just shaking my head. It's still the Kansas City Chiefs. They're still a dynasty. Yes, they laid an egg in the super bowl, but it's still Patrick Mahomes, one of the greatest quarterbacks in our game right now and Andy Reid, the best quarterback coach duo. That's fair. What they have the most experience. People still can't figure out a way to beat them, especially in the postseason, unless you're the Eagles and your defense just absolutely wins the championship. I just know that Chiefs are getting to the playoffs.
Jason McIntyre
Disagreement. Okay, well, yeah, toss it on the fire. Another log of the fire for when the Chiefs fail this upcoming season. All right, coming up next year on the show. So we know the Lakers are going to probably win tonight against Houston or Portland. They're going to get the three seed. Who would you rather face the warriors or the Clippers. This is not easy because one of those teams is super hot. The other has Steph Curry. That's next year on the Herd. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app.
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Larison Campbell
Of soil in Mississippi called Yazoo Clay. It's thick, burnt orange, and it's got a reputation.
Podcast Host
It's terrible, terrible dirt.
Larison Campbell
Yazoo Clay eats everything, so things that get buried there tend to stay buried until they're not In 2012, construction crews at Mississippi's biggest hospital made a shocking discovery.
Wendy's Representative
Seven thousand bodies out there, or more.
Larison Campbell
All former patients of the old State asylum, and nobody knew they were there.
Alex Curry
It was my family's mystery.
Larison Campbell
But in this corner of the south, it's not just the soil that keeps secrets.
Jason McIntyre
Nobody talks about it. Nobody has any information.
Larison Campbell
When you peel back the layers of Mississippi's Yazoo Clay, nothing's ever as simple as you think.
Alex Curry
The story is much more complicated and nuanced Than that.
Larison Campbell
I'm Larison Campbell. Listen to under yazukle on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.
Restaurant Host
We live in a divided country.
Jason McIntyre
I am a lifelong Republican with all.
Restaurant Host
Kinds of different people.
Alex Curry
You know, I'm a mother, I'm a grandmother.
Restaurant Host
That's why we started the Middle with Jeremy Hobson. It's about bringing voices not from the extremes, but from the vast middle into the national conversation.
Jason McIntyre
Anna, I'm calling from Las Vegas.
Restaurant Host
Each week we bring together an all star panel. Mark Cuban, so great to have you on the Middle.
Jason McIntyre
Thanks for having me, Jeremy.
Restaurant Host
Neil Degrasse Tyson, welcome to the Middle.
Jason McIntyre
Thanks for having me.
Restaurant Host
And hear from ordinary Americans from all over the country on the most important issues.
Jason McIntyre
Hi, my name is Venkat.
Podcast Host
I'm calling you from Atlanta, Georgia.
Restaurant Host
And when you subscribe to the Middle, you also get an episode each week called One Thing Trump did that focuses on just one item from the avalanche of news.
Wendy's Representative
We should be examining what our government spends its money on and are these jobs necessary and what are we doing here? But that doesn't seem to be what we're doing in this situation.
Restaurant Host
Listen to the Middle with Jeremy Hobson on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Jason McIntyre
Yeah, you see that at the bottom of the screen, how John Morant is impacting his NBA future. That's gonna be a tough topic to talk about. Top of next hour. Yeah, not a huge fan of what's going on with John Morant, but let's, let's go to the Lakers because we haven't talked about them yet today, 15 minutes into the show, and it's just been such a banner week for the Lakers. Banner month, banner two months. It's as good of a time to be a Lakers fan as ever. That being said, there's two games left in the regular season pretty much for everybody in the league. And the Lakers, based on, you know, all the numbers that people have crunched and looked at the schedules and win probabilities, it looks like the Lakers will open the playoffs against either the warriors or the Clippers. Now, you know, for the longest time, I've called the Clippers the Paperclips. It's a terrible franchise who can never get their act together. And yet, when I asked our staff today, hey, we got some Lakers fans in here. Who would you guys rather face in the playoffs, the Clippers or the Warriors? Almost universally, everybody said the Warriors. And I was like, what, are you all crazy now to Be fair. The paperclips have been cooking of late. They are one of the hotter teams in the league. But you wouldn't have noticed because Lakers Luka Nuggets implosion Here come the Warriors. The Rockets are quietly one of the hotter teams in the league. Like the NBA has just been a little wacky lately. So people haven't noticed that the Clippers have been on fire. Yes, that is Kawhi Leonard streaking down the court healthy and scoring and dunking. There's James Harden with the cross. Hesi snatch plow like James Harden is playing great. And I absolutely would rather if I'm the Lakers face those guys. James Harden, that choke artist. I would much rather face him in Kawhi than anywhere near the Warriors. Let me lay out the case for you, but I'm going to start here. Have to be nice to these guys. Charles Barkley went on everybody's favorite show last night and said that the second best team in the west is the Clippers.
Wendy's Representative
Might be the second best team in the West.
Jason McIntyre
I don't think that's crazy though.
Rocket Mortgage Representative
When healthy.
Jason McIntyre
When healthy, but they're healthy. Hey, Kawhi Leonard's amazing to me, man. He is amazing, huh?
Wendy's Representative
Yes. I've never seen a guy.
Jason McIntyre
Never. Duke never plays basketball. Never. And comes back like he played. Been playing somewhere else. Just can't give LeBron and Luka the credit. Right. He's just upset that the Lakers are great. The Lakers undeniably are the second best team in the West. Anything else is just hot takey for the sake of being hot takey. Okay. Yes. I'll give the Clippers a little more do Zubots and there's some. I don't really know how to pronounce his name. He has been a revelation for the Clippers. I know he's been good the last few years and he used to be a Laker, which kind of hurts. But he's. There's like a case for him to be defensive player of the year. He has been excellent. The Lakers don't match up great with him and he did, I think had 34 and 16 against them in a recent meeting. Others in Zubots occasionally. Kawhi. I'm not really worried about anybody on the Clippers. That's the thing. Does James Harden scare you in the least? Guys, this may surprise you, but when the lights are brightest and James Harden's facing the Lakers this season, his splits. His point per game average is the worst in the league against the Lakers 14.8 points per game. He's destroying a lot of other teams. And then against the Lakers, he's just gagging in the two meetings since the Lakers got Luka. You love this. James Harden 4 for 14 shooting. James Harden 5 for 22 shooting in four games against the Lakers this year. And some of those numbers are skewed because The Lakers had 80. James Harden is shooting 26% from the field and 21% from three. It's a tiny sample size. I get it. But we've seen postseason after postseason, James Harden, it just doesn't happen. He's not built for it. He's ready to go spend his summer in the strip club throwing up money. Like, it's just. It's not happening. James Harden in the playoffs, he falls apart. Now you look at the warriors on the other side of the coin, I don't want to see Steph Curry if I'm the Lakers. If anybody Kawhi Harden or Curry scares me most, it's Curry. He's likely to go for 40 or 50. And it's like, oh, gosh, what are we going to do? Golden State's small ball matches the Lakers small ball. And in that meeting last week, and I don't. You never want to go too overboard on one game, but it was eight days ago, and Golden State small ball game killed the Lakers. Draymond, Jimmy Butler, I mean, Podzemski had a career game. He won't do that again. But Jimmy Butler's a proven playoff pro. James Harden, proven playoff flop. Jimmy Butler took the heat to two championships, guys. Okay, look, I don't want to see Steph Curry Jimmy Butler combo at its best. Now, there is a story out there that the warriors are looking worn down because they play a lot of small ball. And if you think back when they would go to the death lineup with Draymond at center and they would like have Iguodala, Clay Curry, and I don't remember who the fifth guy was, but they would go small ball, but they would only use that in emergency situations. Fourth quarter of a close game, down 15. We need a spark. It wasn't like, we'll go small all game. And now they're trying to go small all game, and they're. They're looking a little worn down. Like, Draymond, great defender, but can he play 38 minutes of center for six games against whatever team you want? And that's a little. That's asking a little bit too much of him. So the Warriors, I know they have flaws, and the Clippers obviously have flaws, AKA James Harden but, like, I don't know. Am I really that worried about Norm Powell, who, by the way, is being great for the Clippers having a great year. And frankly, let's be real, Kawhi Leonard. Do you know if he's showing up next week or not? You have to be honest with yourself, guys. I can't look myself in the mirror if I say Kawhi is going to be there. Clippers are a major threat. I don't know. Nobody knows of Kawhi. Like, is he going to show up? Is he going to be hurt? It's so weird. In the postseason, he'll be like, oh, he's. He's got an injured knee. He's only going to play 20 minutes, and then he's, like, out for the season. It's just. It's wacky. So if I'm the Lakers, give me the Clippers. I want no part of the Golden State Warriors. Let's go to Alex Curry with the news. No, no, no.
Wendy's Representative
Turn on the news.
Jason McIntyre
This is the Herd line news.
Alex Curry
Shots fired today.
Jason McIntyre
J. Mac, am I going off on people?
Alex Curry
You are, but I like it. It's spicy. It's a spicy Friday. I don't think either is going to be a cakewalk. Like, they're both going to be tough matchups, whoever the Lakers face. But like, as you said, I. The Clippers Achilles heel has been their health. If they stay healthy, very dangerous. You don't want to face them. But that. That's going to be it. It's. Can they stay healthy?
Jason McIntyre
Oh, Ben Simmons has come off the bench for the Clippers. Did you forget? I forgot about that until this morning.
Alex Curry
I was like, they got a deep bench. All right, well, let's start with Bill Belichick in North Carolina because they got spring practices started, and it's still wild to think that Belichick is coaching a college team. But watch him give some instructions to one of his quarterbacks.
Jason McIntyre
Then we hit opposite of rotation. Then we hit a in cut, and then we hit a. That's how you move the ball down the field. You got to hit some of those plays.
Dane Brugler
Look, There was still 30 seconds left on the clock.
Jason McIntyre
All right, nice job.
Alex Curry
This is a new attitude, Bill. Like that. It's a completely different energy and vibe than we got and we saw with him in the NFL. And you have to remember, Bill's on a very short list of one of the greatest coaches of all time in the NFL. And now he's bringing that knowledge to these young men in college. It's insane. They are so lucky to have a brain and a mind like Bill leading this team. But he just seems happy. It's just different.
Jason McIntyre
Match the Carolina blue. I'm just noticing it now.
Alex Curry
I did not. But we are twinsies.
Jason McIntyre
Well, listen, this is what happens when you date a woman 45 years younger than you. You feel younger, you're spry, you've got more energy. Right. Whatever it takes. But listen, Belichick and some of this is probably for tv, right? Alex, aren't they doing some kind of TV series? I'm sure, I'm sure.
Alex Curry
But he's gonna be miked up the whole time. The fact that Bill's coaching in college, this is all going to be documented. And especially in the media age that we're in now, like, it's just going to happen. So he's. I think he. We saw a switch once he left the NFL and he started doing some media. It was a different Bill we had never seen before. Right. Because all we saw were the press conferences. And it was like serious, angry, gruff, nothing. And then after, I was like, oh, you're kind of a funny guy and you're really smart, like, obviously one of the greatest of all time to do what you do. So it's. It's really cool to see this. This side of Bill. It's just going to be interesting. What do you think? Carolina's ceiling?
Jason McIntyre
Well, that's the thing. I'm looking at their schedule. So TCU to open. I mean, that won't be easy, but it's at home. Charlotte Richmond, ucf.
Alex Curry
Yeah.
Jason McIntyre
I mean, assuming Belichick knows what he's doing.
Alex Curry
Yeah.
Jason McIntyre
You know, yeah, they do have Clemson. They got to come out here to Cal and Berserkley. But this schedule is very manageable. Like Stanford's rebuilding Duke. Stock gray, Wake Forest. Listen, I can't be too hot takey and say they're gonna make the playoff because I need to see. I don't know what kind of talent they have.
Alex Curry
I mean, but it's Bill.
Jason McIntyre
It's Bill.
Alex Curry
When you have, like, the best of the best leading you.
Jason McIntyre
Okay, it was Bill. And they had Cam Newton and they couldn't get to the playoffs. And then they had NFL's Jones. They got to the playoffs, they got smashed and then couldn't turn it around. I. I would bet on Belichick. I would, too. To do some things.
Alex Curry
I would, too. I'm excited for him. It looks. Looks fun. Okay, let's move to the NFL. The Panthers ended the season on a high note, and for the first time since 2019 Carolina will have the same starting quarterback, head coach and general manager in back to back seasons and Bryce Young talked about how important that is. He said it's a privilege for sure. Obviously the same staff and so much on the offensive side is staying the same. So just for us to continue to build and grow, it's something that we really look forward to. But we also know that there's work to be done and just knowing that the work is necessary to put in. We're excited about that part too. Just to grow and build. It's encouraging. I wouldn't want this to be with any other group. So we're excited for this year. It's just crazy to think about. It's the first time they've had the same head coach, quarterback and general manager like since BC before COVID Like that is wild to think about. And again, like they didn't have a great season last year. They went 5 12, but those five wins came towards the end of the season and if you remember the season before, they were the worst team in the league. So there's, there's been a little bit of improvement we saw towards the end of the year last year and it's just something that you, you hope now with the consistency and having the same group back for those last 2019.
Jason McIntyre
Was he benched? I feel like they pulled him, it says since returning as a starter. So I'm, I think he was benched last season at some point. Yeah, he, he just, he hasn't been great. But I, I'll say this, I expected him to go out and like, hey, let's spend some money in free agency, get some dudes. They didn't really do anything. Their top three receivers are Adam, Thielen, Leggette and Coker. The two young guys, okay, like they're tight ends. I, I, he needs some guys, he needs some skill position.
Alex Curry
You do. I mean when you look at the division they're in, NFC South, Bucks have won the last couple of years. Falcons, they're on the rise. I like falcons with Pennix Jr. And then you have Panthers and Saints. So it's, it's an easy third finish if you can kind of figure it out. But I don't know, I don't know if you're going to pass the Falcons.
Jason McIntyre
Young was benched for Andy Dalton last season. Season. Yeah, yeah, that's right. Remember they were like, there was also some fourth downs and they were going to try the tush push with him and they were like, he's too Small. He can't do it.
Alex Curry
No, no, no. You can't do that.
Jason McIntyre
Not great. I mean, listen, I'm rooting for Bryce Young. Seems like a nice guy. Yeah, it's just a tough uphill climb.
Alex Curry
There it is. But again, first time they've had consistency since 2019.
Jason McIntyre
Good point.
Alex Curry
Which is insane. Okay, let's end in Cleveland. The Browns are bringing back a familiar face back into the quarterback room. Joe Flacco is signing with the Browns on a 1 year, 4 million contract. Flaco won comeback player of the year with the Browns in 2023 and started the last playoff game the organization played it. So they're. They're running it back with Papa Flacco. And this move I think just solidifies the fact that they're not drafting a quarterback at 2 with the second overall pick, which kind of feels like they're. They're leaning towards Travis Hunter. But that quarterback room is now DeSean Watson, who's coming back from injury. Kenny Pickett, they traded for him from Philly and then they just signed Joe Flacco. So none of, none of those names sound wowy and like a franchise guy because we already heard ownership say that we messed up and we made a mistake on Deshaun Watson. So you already have that going in there. And obviously he's coming off a couple different lower body injuries. Haven't seen the prove it yet from Kenny Pickett, but there were a lot of people who believed in him. And does Flacco still have it? He's another couple years older from when they brought him back off the couch because he literally came off the couch. He said he was at home like watching games when he got the call from the Browns and ended up winning comeback player of the year. But like, if he still got it, he still got it.
Jason McIntyre
So Cleveland had signed Miles Garrett. He has to be traded.
Alex Curry
Yes.
Jason McIntyre
And he basically the media was asking him what's up with quarterback? And he's like, I know what we're doing.
Alex Curry
So was that Flacco the whole time?
Jason McIntyre
It couldn't have been Flacco.
Alex Curry
Like, is that what they're talking about? Or they take in someone else later in the draft that they believe in?
Jason McIntyre
The, the, the speculation in Cleveland was, oh, Kirk, cuz they're gonna go get Kirk Cousins. They're not gonna draft a quarterback. But it's like, Kirk Cousins ain't coming now, is he?
Alex Curry
No, I don't think so. I don't think so. After Flacco and Florida, Flacco's way cheaper than Kirk Cousins is gonna be.
Jason McIntyre
I don't even know if Kirk Cousins is that much better than Flacco at this stage. Like we're just talking about.
Alex Curry
I mean he's also, he's coming off the Achilles injury and also when he came back last season got injured again. So we didn't fully see.
Jason McIntyre
It wasn't great.
Alex Curry
Yeah, we didn't see like a healthy Kirk Cousins last year. So I don't know. It's interesting move I not I don't think what everyone was expecting a tough ape.
Jason McIntyre
But here you go in believe land Alex Curry with the news. Well that's the news and than stopping by the Herd lie news. All right. Coming up next year on the Herd, there's one team in these NBA playoffs that are starting next week. Nobody's talking about them. We'll talk about them next. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific.
Greg Rosenthal
Hey, Steve Covino. And I'm Rich Davis and together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You can catch us weekdays from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox. And of course, the iHeartRadio app. Why should you listen to Covino and Rich? We talk about everything, life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world. We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture. Stories that, well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends for the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right? So check us out. We like to get you involved too. Take your phone calls, chop it up, as they say. I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the most interactive show on planet Earth. Be sure to check out Covino and Rich live on Fox Sports radio and the iHeartradio app from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search Kobe Noanrich wherever you get your podcast. And of course on social media, that's Covino and Rich.
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Larison Campbell
Of soil in Mississippi called Yazoo Clay. It's thick, burnt orange and it's got a reputation.
Podcast Host
It's terrible, terrible dirt.
Larison Campbell
Yazoo clay eats everything, so things that get buried there tend to stay buried until they're not. In 2012, construction crews at Mississippi's biggest hospital made a shocking discovery.
Wendy's Representative
7,000 bodies out there or more, all.
Larison Campbell
Former patients of the old state asylum. And nobody knew they were there.
Alex Curry
It was my family's mystery.
Larison Campbell
But in this corner of the south, it's not just the soil that keep secrets.
Jason McIntyre
Nobody talks about it. Nobody has any information.
Larison Campbell
When you peel back the layers of Mississippi's Yazoo Clay, nothing's ever as simple as you think.
Alex Curry
The story is much more complicated and nuanced than that.
Larison Campbell
I'm Larison Campbell. Listen to under yazukle on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.
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We live in a divided country.
Jason McIntyre
I am a lifelong Republican with all.
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Kinds of different people.
Alex Curry
You know, I'm a mother, I'm a grandmother.
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That's why we started the Middle with Jeremy Hobson. It's about bringing voices not from the extremes, but from the vast middle into the national conversation.
Alex Curry
Anna, I'm calling from Las Vegas.
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Each week we bring together an all star panel. Mark Cuban, So great to have you on the Middle.
Jason McIntyre
Thanks for having me. Jeremy.
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Jason McIntyre
Thanks for having me.
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And hear from ordinary Americans from all over the country on the most important issues.
Jason McIntyre
Hi, my name is Venkat.
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I'm calling you from Atlanta, Georgia.
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And when you subscribe to the Middle you also get an episode each week called One Thing Trump did that focuses on just one item from the avalanche of news.
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We should be examining what our government spends its money on and are these jobs necessary and what are we doing here? But that doesn't seem to be what we're doing in this situation.
Restaurant Host
Listen to the middle with Jeremy Hobson on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts on the Herd.
Jason McIntyre
A special guest joining us, first timer on the show. Yeah, she covers the Rockets. This is kind of Rockets week on the Herd. We had Ryan Hollins on. And now Vanessa Richardson covers the Houston Rockets. Knows them as well as anybody. And listen, Lakers fans know we're playing Houston in the second round. We're already past the Clippers or the Warriors. This Lakers Rockets series should be big, but we'll start with Houston, which has been, Vanessa, one of the better stories around the league this season.
Podcast Host
It has. And I think if you ask the guys, they're not surprised that they're having this level of success. But it has been, I think, a wake up call for the league, that this young team is clicking the way that they're clicking, that the veterans have made the impact that they've made and that IME Udoka is doing something similar to what he did in Boston. He's turning things around very quickly. It's been really exciting.
Jason McIntyre
Udoka has been amazing. Were you at the game where he got into it with Curry? A little bit.
Podcast Host
I was walking off.
Jason McIntyre
So were you close enough to hear what was being said, you know, reveal?
Podcast Host
Because I cannot confirm or deny if I heard him get into it with, with Steph or LeBron James last year.
Jason McIntyre
Oh, LeBron last year.
Podcast Host
That was, that was a thing too. But no, I mean this, that's the identity of this Houston team, right? Like, they're not afraid of anybody. They're not afraid, you know, of any specific player, of any superstar. And the funny thing about IME is he won't even call people like these superstars by their nicknames. Like, he calls them by their last name, last name when I interview him. So it's not LeBron, it's James. And it's not Giannis. It's a Tinta Kupo. So I think that no friends on the floor thing is, is a real thing for the Rockets.
Jason McIntyre
No friends on the floor.
Podcast Host
No friends on the floor.
Jason McIntyre
That's his, like, mantra. Yep. That's good. Now listen.
Podcast Host
And as you can see.
Jason McIntyre
Yeah, yeah. Now listen, I, I know obviously you cover the team, you're close with this Dylan Brook stuff. He doesn't seem to like anyone. And I get it. He's kind of, you know, the tough guy, enforcer, tough to. He's a great defender. Right. But do you think sometimes that that can go too far and get. He gets in his own head getting in these one on one battles with.
Podcast Host
Some players, I don't think it goes too far at all. I think it's a motivator for the team. And he's been the defensive head of the Snake as far as influencing also Tari Easen and Amin Thompson. And this Rockets team is known for their defense and I think that's what makes it fun. Right? Like they're old school. Everybody when they complain about the NBA, they say that the NBA people just chuck up threes and they play offense and no defense and, you know, they're playing AAU ball. Like the Rockets are the opposite of that. And Dylan Brooks is a huge part of that. And so I love what Dylan has done. And I'm going to shock everybody when I say this. He's like a total sweetheart off the court. He's actually a really nice guy. The villain thing truly is an on court Persona. He's told me that. He said it on camera in interviews. So he's a great guy. But. But that's an important part of the identity of this Rockets team is Dillon Brooks.
Jason McIntyre
Interesting because Amen Thompson is a phenomenal defender. I don't know, like, do they have too many good players in that, like in crunch time, right? You need your five core guys. The Lakers don't have eight great guys. Like, the Rockets have a much deeper team. How do they decide how to. Is it matchup Reliant? Like, what do you think they do down the stretch? Because some of these guys may not end up playing. Sengoon is great, but is he going to be on the court all the time against, say, the Lakers?
Podcast Host
It's definitely matchup Reliant. And it's also sometimes who's playing the hardest. Like, IME will say that he's going to make sure that the guys that are playing the hardest are playing at the end of the game. So I think that it's a strength that they're so deep. I don't mind the fact that their team motto. Let me tell you what their team motto has been this year. Sometimes you, sometimes me, always us. And they're okay with that. There are not a lot of NBA players that would be okay with a night where they only score seven or eight points. But their teammate absolutely goes off. I think the fact that they're selfless and the fact that on any given night it can be a different guy, I don't see that as a disadvantage. I think it could be an advantage in the playoffs.
Jason McIntyre
So if you look at the west at large, there are some of those teams where, like, John Morant doesn't get his. He's going to be upset.
Podcast Host
Right, Right.
Jason McIntyre
I am just curious, like, do you think the Rockets storyline has been underplayed because of. The Nuggets fired their coach, The Grizzlies fired their coach. The Luca trade, They're almost flying under the radar. Is that possible for a team with what, 50 some odd wins?
Podcast Host
They are flying under the radar, but they like that. They're fine with not getting a ton of press, not getting a ton of attention. And you know who's been a big part of that has been Fred Van Vliet. Fred has told the guys you don't want all the TV appearances, all the articles, all the press releases, like, we're fine flying underneath the radar and then surprising people. And I think that's what they've done. So it's not a team and it's not. This isn't a knock on like other teams or other superstars, but this is not a team that needs all the attention, wants all of the accolades. Like, they're fine surprising people. And I think that that's what they've done. They're not surprised with their success, but they're fine with the fact that they are flying underneath the radar.
Jason McIntyre
So most teams have a clear leader, if you will. You know, we saw Jokic drawing up plays in the huddle after they fire Malone.
Alex Curry
Yeah.
Jason McIntyre
You know, Luka Lebron, obviously, I look at this Houston team. Is. Is Van Vliet the leader? Because I've had some hot takes on him. I like him. I said I would prefer him to like Kyrie Irving because Kyrie's about Kyrie. Fred Van Vliet, it's about the team.
Alex Curry
Fred's about the team.
Jason McIntyre
Yeah, it's. Would you say he's the leader? Like in the huddle?
Rocket Mortgage Representative
Who's.
Podcast Host
Fred's. Fred's an extension of the coaching staff. So I would definitely call Fred the leader and one of the leaders of the team. But they did a really good job of bringing in veterans. Dylan Brooks is a leader. Dylan Brooks leads by example. And you're. You're smiling. But. But he is truly, he is absolutely a leader. People, a lot of people like Jeff Green has been a Huge influence. Uncle Jeff has been huge for, you know, Tari, Jabari, some of the younger guys. So I would definitely call Fred the leader. And he calms things down too. And so he's been, I mean, his leadership, the role that the veterans have played for the young guys. And the other part of it though is that the young guys have been receptive to it. And not all young guys are receptive to that veteran leadership. But this team has been really open minded and accepting the coaching style of IMEI and buying in, which has been huge.
Jason McIntyre
It's interesting, you know, Steve, you didn't mention Steven Adams.
Podcast Host
I love Steven.
Jason McIntyre
So there was a funny video you posted on your Instagram of Stephen Adams grabbing some kind of sign.
Podcast Host
Yeah. So the Clippers have the fan wall at Intuit Dome, very high school, college student section type concept. But they had a sign of Dylan and one of Dylan's outfits actually that he wore when he and Steven were both in Memphis, a reference to the player haters ball, shout out to the chappelle. And so he had that sign and yeah, Stephen just took it and rolled out with it. I mean, that's Stephen.
Jason McIntyre
You know, like, this is an interesting team because in Texas you've had, obviously, you know, Luca in the match. Very good you've had. The San Antonio spurs have had their runs. Houston seems like they're the best team in Texas right now. And I don't know that it's close. A lot of people thought Wembanyama and the spurs, they would make the leap. They got dear Fox. It didn't quite work out. Wemby, obviously with the blood clots. Do you think there's any pressure at Houston or is there the whole. They're playing with house money. They're fine.
Podcast Host
I think that they have very high standards for themselves and I do think they're the best team in Texas and it's not close. I think things eventually could click for Wimby, you know, in San Antonio and I do feel awful for Mavericks fans, but at the same time, Rockets are in their division. So, you know, you don't. I don't hate what's going on there. Yeah, I think the Rockets are the best team in Texas and it's not close. And the thing is they're only getting better. Right. Like the young core is only clicking more. Amen. Thompson is only becoming a better defender. And you know, here the Rockets are the number two seed. So it's been incredible to see and I do think they're the best team.
Jason McIntyre
Is it weird? Slash Annoying. When you're covering the team, you're 50 wins and then you see maybe this show, maybe others, hey, Kevin Durant can save the Rockets next year. You're like, wait a minute, wait, can we at least see them in the playoffs first? Because there is this idea that they don't have like an alpha in the half court.
Podcast Host
Right.
Jason McIntyre
But like covering the team, being around them. They're not even thinking about that stuff right now.
Podcast Host
No. They're so young. They all believe in themselves and they all believe in each other. And look, I've been in NFL locker rooms, MLB locker rooms, as have you. Anybody in this industry has the chemistry and synergy that this team has and the fact that again, they're selfless. They're okay if they only score 5, 10 points if their teammate goes off. And that's not common in the NBA. So this team has a lot of belief in themselves and in each other. And they do really love each other.
Jason McIntyre
Last one on the Rocket. So Shen Goon is. Sometimes I don't think it's fair, but compared to Jokic, yes, he's a little smaller and very skilled. I don't. Look. Is that putting too much pressure on the young guy? What is he, like 22 years old?
Podcast Host
Yeah, he's in his fourth year. I think it's a very flattering comparison. But what I like about Sengun is, you know, that's the. The typical idol becomes rival, you know, when they play each other. It's been a great matchup every time. I love what we've seen from Sengun. And so look, I mean, the corny and cliche thing would be I don't want him to be the next like Jokic. I want him to be the first Alperin Shengun. But that is somebody that Alpern has looked up to and he's been very open about that. So anytime these guys get compared to their idols and then they start playing them and they're defending them well, it's very similar. Like a min Thompson and LeBron James. Like LeBron James was a men's idol growing up and a man held Steph Curry to three points on Sunday. So it is cool to watch the young guys play their idols and not get intimidated by them.
Jason McIntyre
On the gambling front, the Rockets are not even a top five get to the NBA finals in the West. Right. Would you be shocked if the Rockets made the NBA Finals?
Podcast Host
I would not be shocked at all. They're. They have beat the best teams in the league with authority repeatedly. They're winning in different ways. So they're. They're playing in those games where they have to win down the stretch. They're playing in blowouts. They're playing in games where they have to come from behind. I think there's a lot of value in that. So I wouldn't be shocked. I think. I think the rest of the league might be, but I would not be surprised.
Jason McIntyre
And the interesting thing is they actually match up pretty well with the Lakers for sure. With Thompson and Brooks for Luka and LeBron and Sengun would be a problem. Lakers fans now are like J Max, just settle down with five. Rockets have to prove Van Vliet does have a title in Toronto. Took down the Warriors.
Podcast Host
So does Jeff Green.
Jason McIntyre
Jeff.
Podcast Host
Shout out to Jeff Green. I know he had to give the respect to Uncle Jeff.
Jason McIntyre
Denver could probably use him right now. Right. By the way, were you surprised at the Malone firing? You heard that?
Podcast Host
The way that the. The way that the league is now. I'm not surprised. Surprise. But yeah, the fact that he won a championship two years ago, I'm so like with Taylor Jenkins. Not that he won a championship, but it's just so close to the playoffs.
Jason McIntyre
Yeah, it's.
Podcast Host
It. I'm not. I'm not surprised when somebody gets fired now, but the timing is definitely. Yeah, interesting.
Jason McIntyre
All right. Vanessa Richardson covering the Rockets. You host a weekly show, Rockets All Access. Could be a long postseason for you. No, no. Early Cancun.
Podcast Host
I know this. This summer, but I wouldn't have it any other way. It's going to be exciting. Don't sleep on the Rockets.
Jason McIntyre
Great stuff. Coming up next, is Ja Morant trying to get himself shipped out of Memphis? What the hell is with this new grenade celebration?
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Larison Campbell
In Mississippi. Yazoo clay keeps secrets.
Wendy's Representative
7,000 bodies out there.
Dane Brugler
Or more.
Larison Campbell
A forgotten asylum, cemetery.
Jason McIntyre
It was my family's mystery.
Larison Campbell
Shame, guilt, propriety. Something keeps it all buried deep. Until it's not. I'm Larison Campbell, and this is under Yazoo Clay. Listen, on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
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We live in a divided country, and our media couldn't be more polarizing. That's why we started the Middle with Jeremy Hobson. It's about bringing voices not from the extremes but but from the vast middle into the national conversation. Each week we hear from ordinary Americans from all over the country. And when you subscribe to the Middle, you also get an episode each week called One Thing Trump did that focuses on just one item from the avalanche of news. Listen to the Middle with Jeremy Hobson on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Jason McIntyre
What's up everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs, mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
Summary of "Hour 1 - The Browns might pass on Shedeur Sanders"
Podcast Information:
At the outset of the episode, host Jason McIntyre (filling in for Colin Cowherd) kicks off with an energetic introduction, setting the tone for a "spicy Friday" on the show.
Notable Quote:
The primary focus of the episode revolves around the Cleveland Browns' recent decision to sign veteran quarterback Joe Flacco and the implications this has on their draft strategy, particularly concerning Shedeur Sanders.
Key Points:
Signing Joe Flacco: The Browns have secured Joe Flacco on a 1-year, $4 million contract. Flacco, a seasoned quarterback, previously won the comeback player of the year with the Browns in 2023.
Quote:
Passing on Shedeur Sanders: Contrary to expectations where many anticipated the Browns to draft Shedeur Sanders second overall, the team appears to be passing on him.
Quote:
Analyst Perspectives: NFL draft analyst Dane Brugler offers a nuanced view on Shedeur's prospects, suggesting he might slide into the mid-first round or even the 20s due to concerns about his playing style and decision-making under pressure.
Quote:
Implications for the Browns: The Browns' approach indicates a preference for stability and experience at the quarterback position over investing high picks in a new talent, possibly hinting at internal evaluations of team needs and dynamics.
McIntyre transitions to discussing the Kansas City Chiefs, expressing skepticism about their offseason moves and projecting that they might miss the playoffs in the upcoming season.
Key Points:
Offseason Moves: The Chiefs have been criticized for minimal improvements, notably in strengthening their offensive line. Their significant signing, Jaylon Moore, is seen as underwhelming given he's a fifth-round pick.
Quote:
Travis Kelsey's Performance: The host highlights Travis Kelsey's declining performance, noting his career lows and questioning his future contributions.
Quote:
Playoff Prediction: McIntyre boldly predicts that the Chiefs will not make the playoffs next season, citing roster stagnation and divisional competition.
Quote:
Counterpoint by Alex Curry: Alex Curry disagrees, asserting the Chiefs remain a strong dynasty due to Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid's leadership.
Quote:
The discussion shifts to the Los Angeles Lakers, with McIntyre analyzing their playoff positioning and potential opponents.
Key Points:
Playoff Seeding: The Lakers are anticipated to secure the third seed, setting up a first-round matchup against either the Golden State Warriors or the Los Angeles Clippers.
Quote:
Preferred Opponent: McIntyre prefers the Lakers face the Clippers over the Warriors, citing strategic advantages despite acknowledging the Clippers' improving form.
Quote:
Alex Curry's Perspective: Alex counters by emphasizing the Chiefs' dynasty status, suggesting resilient teams like the Clippers remain formidable postseason contenders.
A surprising segment covers Bill Belichick's new role as a college football coach at North Carolina, highlighting his coaching style and its impact on the team.
Key Points:
Belichick's Transition: Belichick brings his extensive NFL coaching experience to the college level, focusing on developing young quarterbacks and instilling a strategic mindset.
Quote:
Team Performance: Current performance metrics and schedule indicate potential growth under Belichick's leadership, though skepticism remains about immediate playoff contention.
Quote:
McIntyre examines the Pittsburgh Panthers' decision to retain the same starting quarterback, head coach, and general manager for consecutive seasons, emphasizing the importance of consistency.
Key Points:
Team Stability: The Panthers avoid the turbulence of previous seasons by maintaining key leadership positions.
Quote:
Performance Improvement: The Panthers show marked improvement from a 5-12 record to greater competitiveness within their division.
Quote:
Future Outlook: Optimism surrounds Bryce Young's development, though challenges persist in maximizing team potential.
In a noteworthy deviation, the conversation veers into the NBA, spotlighting the Houston Rockets' unexpected success under coach IME Udoka.
Key Points:
Rockets' Performance: The Rockets have emerged as a formidable team, blending veteran experience with young talent, emphasizing strong defensive play.
Quote:
Dylan Brooks' Persona: The discussion highlights Dylan Brooks' on-court intensity contrasted with his off-court demeanor, contributing to the team's dynamic.
Quote:
Team Leadership: Fred Van Vliet's influence and the collective team ethos of selflessness are credited for the Rockets' success.
Quote:
Playoff Potential: The Rockets are seen as dark horses capable of reaching the NBA Finals, with analysts noting their depth and strategic gameplay.
Quote:
As the episode wraps up, McIntyre teases upcoming topics, including Ja Morant's situation with the Memphis Grizzlies and Lakers' playoff strategies against the Warriors and Clippers.
Notable Quote:
This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd delves deeply into the Cleveland Browns' strategic decisions regarding their quarterback roster, highlighting potential shifts in draft plans and the integration of veteran players like Joe Flacco. The discussion extends to broader NFL topics, including the Kansas City Chiefs' offseason moves and playoff prospects, alongside analyses of NBA teams like the Houston Rockets and their surprising rise. Engaging commentary, backed by expert opinions and bold predictions, offers listeners a comprehensive look into the current state and future trajectories of key sports franchises.