Joy Taylor (3:25)

Huge.

Colin Cowherd (3:26)

Yeah.

Joy Taylor (3:26)

And I got to thank the NFL for giving my Jets a one and O start to the season. We get the Steelers at home to open and Mason Rudolph, not Aaron.

Colin Cowherd (3:35)

Well, let's start with this. So my one takeaway, the NFL schedule and it's a fairly obvious one, Kansas City. That is rough. So Kansas City does not have a great O line and they're going to try to figure it out. And they're using a backup at left tackle that hasn't really started and been the man from the Niners. So. And it's a hard unit to create cohesion. And if you look at their first 10 games, even the teams that we view as weaker teams like the Giants, good pass rush, Jacksonville pass rush, Raiders, Max Crosby. So even, even the W's could create problems for them. Forget Denver, that led the NFL in sacks. You face them. Conversely, the Chargers, Jim Harbaugh, look at his career in year two. Everywhere he goes, Chargers revamped run game. High end, left and right tackles have a cookie dough soft schedule in the middle of the season to gain momentum. So my prediction that the Chargers win this division with a weaker schedule really plays in the middle of the season. You're starting to get dinged up. You're not playing with full rosters. It is really soft for the Chargers. And I, and I again we've watched, we've watched the Chiefs and Mahomes get blown out in two Super Bowls. It's always been the same reason O line's not right. Well, I think they're going into a season where the O line's not right. Add another thing. Kansas City opens in Brazil. They have the most seven prime time games. That's what the NFL does once you're the star attraction. The they have the Lions on a short week. Oh, that's not good. They have the Buffalo Bills on a short week. Yeah, that's not good either. Remember that Brazil game last year? Philadelphia went to Brazil and beat Green Bay. The Eagles came back groggy and the next week lost to the Atlanta Falcons. So that'll take some. That'll take some air out of the sales. Here's what we know. Andy Reid and Mahomes are as good as anybody in the world at what they do. But again, this team played on the margins last year, okay? And I think with this O line, the, the kryptonite to Kansas City in their two super bowl blowout losses has been the O line. This going into a season they lost. Joe Tuney is their weakest O line. Little bit of finger crossing here. Last year's was okay going into the season. A bit of a mess at the end of the season. So this is not a team like Baltimore, Detroit, Philadelphia with stacked rosters that are not playing on the margins. They're getting seven or eight blowout games a year. When margins shrink, everything counts. This team had the third lowest point differential in the AFC West. So in their own division, Denver and the Chargers had more blowout wins. And I think Denver and the Chargers will be noticeably better. Bo Nicks now into a second year with Peyton. They had some interesting draft picks at running back and wide receiver. So the downside to becoming America's team is that the NFL, this is what they do. And I can remember after the Giants would win a Super bowl and Coughlin and Eli, and they'd put them on Sunday night and they'd flex them in and everybody loved it except the Giants and the older players. So here is Travis Kelsey on his podcast New Heights, talking about that opener in Brazil. I'll be there. Not to do a podcast. Yeah, I'll be there. Pretty busy in the heat. If it's humid, I'm going to be miserable. I'm going to make. I'm going to prepare to be miserable. You're surrounded by the Amazon rainforest. This is a good point. If it's hot and humid and kind of what I'm expecting, I'm going to be miserable. But we're going to find a way to get a win. Hip, hip, hooray. So my number one take, Kansas City, going into a season with an offensive line I don't love. I mean, when you start looking last year at the teams at the end of the season that are really formidable and leaning on people, a lot of them, Washington was an exception, had really, really buttoned up O lines. All right, so the warriors lost. The oldest interesting team in the league is out. Minnesota, that's got some age, but much deeper, bigger roster prevails pretty easily. Jimmy Butler only took 11 shots. Some of that is energy. Some of that was coming. I had a lot of energy. Minnesota got great looks. All you had to do was look at the box score and it tells you Golden State was tired. Minnesota shot 63%, dominated in the paint, had almost double the assists. They were moving very well. Julius Randall, 13 of 18. Bully ball. The three best warriors, Butler, Steph and Draymond, all out of their prime. Two 35 year olds and a 37 year old. And they're only getting older. So all it took was a popped hamstring and the house collapses. It's interesting. Jonathan Kaminga, who just doesn't work with Butler and Steph, he's great. He was great when Steph got hurt. So they'll be able to show that off. And he raised his market value because everybody has sort of understood that the Steph offense, that ecosystem, it's just not friendly to young players. James Wiseman never got it going. Kaminga can't be on the floor with Butler and Steph, it just doesn't work. But he was the one guy last night that jumped off the tv. He was the one guy you looked at and thought, oh, he can go toe to toe with Minnesota's athletic picks, so they'll have a market for him. And Pods is a guy you have to keep. He's got a market as well. But you're going to have to move off at least one of your really good young players. So the warriors to some degree have become an antique store and OKC is the Apple store right next door. And I think the warriors are going to get worse every year unless they pull off a big, big deal for Kaminga. People are going to want Pods. And Kaminga, they'll keep Pods. They view him as sort of a staff, an emerging shooter that works with Steph. But I will say this. You know what? It really reminds me of watching last night. So, and I, and I. Belichick took the hit for all of the shortcomings for the New England offense right before Tom left. But just consider New England and Belichick and Brady, the Warriors, Stephen, Steve Kerr, they built a very high, high intellect, sophisticated offense, both Kerr and Curry and Draymond, it's very sophisticated. Young people struggle. And for years everybody always said, well why, why can't New England, why can't they draft the wide receiver? Well, some of it was, most of it was Belichick wasn't a good drafter. Some of it was Tom didn't want to babysit him. And so what you have, you have the benefit of the brilliance of Belichick and the brilliance of Steve Kerr. You have the benefit of Brady and Stephen. But these are so high functioning, almost academic offenses. They don't play with kids. Well, New England didn't. That's why New England got old and slow really fast. Brady went young down in Tampa. And that's why it looked when you watch OKC and you watch Indiana and you watch these young teams, Houston and then you watch Golden State, some of it is on this offense that just doesn't play well with others under the age of 23 years old. That's what New England became. So I just think they're just getting a year older. I think all these Houstons, Indiana's maybe some degree, New York still got some youth. Cleveland, I think those teams are getting better. I think the warriors are getting older. But Steve Kerr is still a believer. I know we had a shot. I know we could have gone the distance, maybe we wouldn't have, but it doesn't matter. Again, everything in the playoffs is about who stays healthy and who gets hot. You know, are you playing well at the right time? Do you have multiple guys step up in key games, make shots and do you have good health? And you know you see it every year in every series. And so there's a, there's, there's a little bit of luck involved, you know and we, like I said, we've been on both sides of that and it's just part of it. But I will say this and I love Steve Kerr. Older teams get hurt more often and older teams recover more slowly and the warriors are just getting older. There is a little bit of luck involved. But when you got, when you got Steph Curry running 2 miles per game on that treadmill for that offense and he is so valuable without it they're not even the same looking watching team. Warriors are a hard watch without Steph. So I, I, you could say there's, there's luck involved. But remember we all know this. The NBA and its helped ratings is allowing more physical basketball. What does that mean? More injuries? My guess they will come to the older teams, not the younger ones. And I really do believe the NBA used to be go get three great players. The Heatles, kd, Steph Clay. I don't think that's it anymore. I think the new CBA and the new aprons, it's all about roster construction. I mean, the Celtics are often weirdly as good or better without Tatum. I mean, like, like Oklahoma City's roster, I think San Antonio's is going to get very deep. Houston's already is. They just don't have a second dominant great score. So I just. Steve Kerr still believes it. You can talk yourself, it's into luck, but the new style of playoff basketball is not going to aid. It's not going to aid the older rickety teams. Two 35 year olds and a 37 year old. So J. Mac it is. I got into this discussion last night. LeBron's out of the playoffs. Steph Curry's out of the playoffs. The Celtics brand, I think will lose to New York. They'll be out of the playoffs. Do you think Knicks, Pacers? I do. I think it's compelling. Do you think Oklahoma City, Minnesota? Like, I think these are really good series, but I'm more NBA diehard than the casuals. I. This whole thing about the NBA being rigged. You wouldn't have OKC in Minnesota in and Stefan LeBron out. What do you make of what potentially is our final Four?

Joy Taylor (14:28)

Yeah, the way I look at is I talk to buddies and they're like, hey, hey, let's go out to hang out. And I'm like, well, there's an NBA finals game and LeBron's in it. I'm not missing that. I would be okay missing a conference, semi, conference, finals matchup between ANT and sga. Like, it's not mandatory viewing. I mean, it's a great matchup. No doubt. I'm going to watch the games, but if something comes up, you know, you want to go to a Dodgers game? Sure, I'll go to a Dodgers game. But Colin, I. It's just, it's not the sexy matchups that we want.

Colin Cowherd (14:56)

Right.

Joy Taylor (14:57)

If Curry's playing, I'm glued to the TV. LeBron, I'm glued, but SG, I'm just not there yet. I'm sorry. I hope that doesn't make me an elitist.

Colin Cowherd (15:05)

Yeah, no, I think, I think this is the transition. I think when Michael Jordan left, the league lost 50% of its numbers. But I do think, I do think there's a little LeBron fatigue where stylistically, Curry is still a great watch. But I do think LeBron is an older player. I'm more fascinated. I am with Luka than LeBron because I've seen all LeBron's game, Luka's growth, his cardio, lack of defense, bit controversial, part of a trade. So I don't think you're going to see a massive drop off. I just, I don't think the warriors are what Steve Kerr believes, just bad luck away from advancing. I think they're just going to be a year older and I think Oklahoma City, with all this experience, Indiana, they're just going to be don't forget the.

Joy Taylor (15:52)

Love, hate, the polarization. What if you really love or hate LeBron and that's what he is, you're gonna watch. I just don't feel like anybody hates sga. Nobody hates it. There's no they haven't done anything to be hateable. LeBron's won a lot, moved around teams, people just dislike him. But I do believe, you know, maybe there's that element with the Knicks, but they still have to pull it out. Colin, are you sure they're a lock to win this series? All the pressure's on them.

Colin Cowherd (16:17)

Yeah, I'm not. Good point. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio. FS1 and the iHeartRadio app Summer is almost here and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. Now, what do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered. A day at the lake? That's a no. A Philly cheesesteak? That's a yes. A nice tan? Sorry. A box fan? Happily, yes. What about a day of sunshine? Not happening. How about a box of fine wines? Yeah, that's happening. Delivery's on its way. Okay, how about some clear skies? Nope. Well, how about some French fries? Yeah. So how about a freshly cut lawn? Can't help you there. But a barbecued prawn? Order it and it's on its way. Even throw in some paper towels. Clean up after the feast. So while you can't get fun in the sun delivered, don't worry because you can get pork buns delivered. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. Product availability may vary by region. See app for details. At the end of the season, there's only one team that can call themselves NBA champs. Only one player that can call themselves the number one pick in the NFL draft. Well, there's only one electric SUV worthy of the Tit the Ultimate the All Electric BMW IX what I love about the IX is that it delivers legendary BMW performance while its sleek design exudes innovative style from the inside out. Not to mention how much space and utility it provides. Over 75 cubic feet of cargo space, the IX is completely changing the game with an all electric suv. The greatest legends of sports never compromise any part of the game, so why would you settle for anything less from your suv? After all, there's only one ultimate the BMW ix. Everything you love about the ultimate driving machine Electrified Interested in investing in Bitcoin but not sure how to get started? Well, with the Gemini Credit card you can dip your toes into Bitcoin without even trying. Just spend like you normally do, groceries, gas or night out and instantly earn up to 4% back in Bitcoin or one of over 50 other crypto straight to your account with no annual fee. The Gemini Credit Card is pretty much a no brainer and right now you can grab a $200 bitcoin intro bonus. So go to gemini.com card to learn more and start earning today. Terms apply. Again go to gemini.com card start building your Bitcoin stash now. Terms apply. The Gemini Credit Card is issued by Web Bank. In order to qualify for the intro $200 crypto bonus, your application must be approved by June 30, 2025 and spend $3,000 in your first 90 days. Terms apply. Some exclusions apply to instant rewards in which rewards are deposited when the transaction posts this content is not investment advice and trading Crypto involves risk. For more details on rates, fees and other Gemini Credit Card terms, see Rates and Fees. Hey, so we all make mistakes, but owning up to them is the right thing to do. So you know Degree Cool Rush deodorant, right? Well, last year they changed the formula and it did not go over well with their fans. So Degree's whole thing is it turns up the sweat and odor protection when you turn up the effort. And good thing it does because Cool Rush fans really turned up the effort to bring the original formula back. One guy even started an online petition and Degree listened. They admitted they effed up. They're bringing back the original Cool Rush scent. They're bringing it back and it's exactly how you remember it. Cool, crisp and fresh. It's back in Walmart, Target and other stores now for under $4. There's a reason it's been the number one men's antiperspirant for the last decade. It's the same reason why people were not happy when it changed. So if you've never tried it, it might be a good time to see what the fuss is about. Head to your local Walmart target and try the OG degree. Cool rush for yourself. Now entering the no bull zone sponsored by credible Great rates and none of the bull. So listen, the NFL is very intentional with its schedule. It's making bets on things. I still think the Cowboys are on TV way too much and I work for Fox, but there's a couple of schedules that are interesting. The Chicago Bears schedule is interesting. A very soft middle middle and big brands. Late Philly, Green Bay, Green Bay, San Francisco rivalry game with Detroit. So it's a rough six weeks at the end, but with all these new offensive line pieces and we've talked about this cohesion for the Bears O line, it. It won't be great in August and September. They should have their act together late. So the NFL sent a message. We think Chicago is going to be a viable TV product at the end of this year. They have that many. They have the clever new coach, an ascending player at quarterback, a lot of good weapons. So at the end of the season, it's Philly, it's San Francisco, it's Green Bay twice. League thinks they're going to be good and interesting and so do I. So five of their last six games are either on TV against big brands or they're flexible. So. And it's a very soft middle of the schedule. Right. There's a chance to get some wins here. So it's a very purposeful act by the NFL. On the Chicago Bears, the other one that jumped out to me was Washington and the commanders, I mean, they went from a franchise that was radioactive waste to how many times can we get Jaden Daniels on television? So Washington has eight straight games with no one o' clock window. Okay. That's where they were buried for years. Get Washington out of the way. Jaden Daniels to me has and. And this was sort of his comp. I said he was going to be like Lamar Jackson, light, not quite the runner, but better in the pocket early on. Crazy fun. NFL defensive coordinators last year just had trouble figuring him out. So, I mean, it's very rare when the NFL goes by year two. Yet we're putting him in the biggest spots. Monday Night Football against Mahomes, it's Washington. That's because of one guy. And then the end of the year, Philadelphia on Fox. Standalone game Saturday. Oh, the following week, Christmas against the Cowboys. Then the following week, probably the biggest game of the week against Philadelphia and my take is they'll be battling either four, Washington, a playoff spot, I'll think they'll be in, or they'll be battling for the NFC east crown. I think Dallas and the Giants are significantly weaker. But the Bears schedule marquee games late. They don't want to, they're not, they don't want to throw a lot of Carolina Panthers, Saints in Cleveland late. They got Bears on a lot of those big TV games and they'll be flexible. And Washington, they're out of the one o' clock window already. All right. Even C.J. stroud didn't get Houston. This kind of schedule in year two, that tells you that Washington's been a sleeping giant in this sport forever. There used to be 100 year waiting list when they had a different name, and now year two, like we're stacking them all over. Chiefs, Monday Night Football against Mahomes. Cowboys. No coincidences with NFL scheduling. J. Mac with the news. No, no, no, turn on the news. This is the Herd line news.

Joy Taylor (23:50)

We'll do plenty of NFL schedules today. The New York Giants, I just, I can't stop laughing at that. But we're starting in the NBA. Colin. The Denver Nuggets host the Thunder tonight. Game 6, season on the line. We know Jokic and Murray have been delivering. They scored 72 of the team's 105 points in Game 5. Murray really struggled late. And Murray knows, hey, we need to get back to okc. He's almost guaranteeing it college.

Colin Cowherd (24:17)

We're gonna go play the game endeavor, and then we get to come back and we just gotta keep that mindset. Like, it's not like we're playing a bad brand of basketball. It's not like we're playing selfish. I just think it comes down to getting a couple stops to stop to win the game. And, and they've been doing a good job executing down the stretch and yeah, we'll be better. How confident are you that we'll all be back here this weekend? Very confident.

Joy Taylor (24:43)

Man. I like it.

Colin Cowherd (24:43)

Yeah. See, I mean, you're kind of playing stress free house money. If you're okc. I mean, you know you're coming home for game seven.

Joy Taylor (24:53)

Well, you don't want to for game seven.

Colin Cowherd (24:56)

I thought Denver looked tired. I think Denver, I, I just, I'll take OKC in this one.

Joy Taylor (25:01)

So it's interesting, there are some numbers that back up the fatigue. Last two games in the fourth quarter, Denver is 2 for 24 on threes. Oh, yeah, that's fatigue.

Colin Cowherd (25:10)

You have no legs don't have their. Don't have their legs. They don't have you. You could see in the. They're a tired, big, tired, older team.

Joy Taylor (25:16)

So this interim coach, he's going to have to manage the first three quarters better so that Jokic and Murray can do something in the fourth. Nugget starters have played 951 minutes in this series. That's 138 more minutes than OKC. 138, Colin. And OKC has a better bench. I want to go Nuggets tonight. Jokic with a 50 burger, but I'm not.

Colin Cowherd (25:38)

What's the line?

Joy Taylor (25:40)

I didn't even look at it because I'm not betting this one, but I would guess Denver two. Denver minus two.

Colin Cowherd (25:46)

No, I would. I would take. Okay. Seeing the points.

Joy Taylor (25:50)

All right, well, I think that line.

Colin Cowherd (25:51)

For you later, you just, you pointed out something. The shots in the last two games in the fourth quarter, that's the story. It's not like Denver doesn't have shooters. Denver's legs are shot. If you watch the warriors last night and look at the box score, 63% in an NBA physical NBA playoff game by the Timberwolves, that tells you Golden State's not. They're not moving. They're not getting in front. They're not battling on the boards. They don't have their legs. These, these numbers for these older teams, you can see when teams start shooting 57% in playoff games. That tells you the people that are guarding them have lost. They've lost their energy.

Joy Taylor (26:27)

And remember, Lakers wilted in the fourth quarter three times against Minnesota. Close games.

Colin Cowherd (26:31)

They lost them all.

Joy Taylor (26:32)

All right, let's go to the NFL in the schedule. Let's start with your Rams. You love the Rams this season. They have a fairly tough schedule. One of the biggest matchups on the slate is week 15, when the Rams here at SoFi host Jared Goff and the Lions on Fox. Here's Matthew Stafford on facing his old team.

Colin Cowherd (26:51)

Dan and Jared and those guys have done a hell of a job the last couple of years getting that thing turned in the right direction. And, you know, they're playing really good football. Lost some coordinators, and that's always a challenge. Every season is a new season when you. When you step out there and go play. But yeah, definitely had some great matchups in the past, past couple of years against those guys. And it'll be interesting having it at our place in December. You know what? I watched the Rams schedule. Nothing jumped out to me. I mean, they had tough games early and middle Late there. You know, the, the, the NFL's bottom is larger than it usually has been in my life. But I look at their schedule, they should go two and oh to start the season. But then you've got, you know, you've got rivalry games early, Ravens, Eagles early, that their bye week eight and nine is about when you'd want it. If you look at the second half of their schedule off the bye, it does look like they will have the better quarterback for three months.

Joy Taylor (27:46)

Wait a minute.

Colin Cowherd (27:47)

That's what I, Well, I mean, who's New Orleans, San Francisco, Seattle? I mean, I like Baker Mayfield. They, what they got is their two toughest games early, but what they also got is a quarterback advantage and coaching advantage in almost every game after the buy. So they're going to go into the playoffs rolling.

Joy Taylor (28:09)

Okay. Yeah, I think they're a playoff team. They will be looking up to San Francisco, by the way, San Francisco schedule easiest in the league by a considerable amount. And this end of the season schedule for the Rams. Colin, look at the screen at Arizona. I'm just telling you right now, Arizona, according to a lot of gamblers, is going to be a very frisky team this year. Keep an eye on them. They have them twice in the final six games. Arizona, then the big emotional game against Goff and company. Then you gotta go to Seattle on a short week. Right. And then after that, you've gotta travel to Atlanta for a primetime game in late December. The Rams have a tough end of the season schedule. I do not think they win the division.

Colin Cowherd (28:49)

Well, okay, well, put your money where your mouth is because mine's on the Rams.

Joy Taylor (28:54)

Try to convince you. All right, final story, Colin, is one more NFL schedule and then of course, it involves my Jets. No, this is not an Aaron Rodgers topic. The jets open the season hosting, you guessed it, the Pittsburgh Steelers, who may or may not have Aaron Rodgers under center. There are some pundits out there who say, listen, the NFL wouldn't do this without automatically knowing that Rodgers is coming back. Justin Fields, of course, played for the Steelers last year. Rodgers played for the jets last year. So that is kind of a fun, spicy matchup. Now, the NFL did something kind of funny here. The Steelers have a Sunday Night Football matchup against the Green Bay packers. Assuming Rogers comes back, of course. Now, if he's not there, that's a garbage matchup. But this Steeler schedule is not good. And I, I mean, I'm not going out on a limb here. They ain't making the playoffs. No, I don't Care if Rogers shows up. I don't care if Tom Brady suits up they're not making the playoffs.

Colin Cowherd (29:50)

Well, people want to make predictions with Aaron but Aaron is his own guy, right. He's on his own island doing his own thing. I mean he's told Adam Schefter lose my number like he doesn't want to be predictable And I was thinking about this because everybody's absolutely sure that he's going to Pittsburgh. The Rooneys have said it. There's this sense that he would go and he may I have no insight but my take is with Aaron is once he commits because of the pushback the last several years he's going to commit and be around the team a lot of and so when the season ended basically Aaron just nobody knows where he is Malibu training and wherever he's training and so I do think if Aaron comes back he'll make a point with DK Metcalf and Arthur Smith it's not a familiar offense to him. I think Aaron when he comes back will be totally committed but I am not and I say this what is the one thing I kept mentioning during Aaron's off season until the Brock Purdy contract is signed I think maybe just in Aaron's head he's thinking well if he doesn't move off 58 million large I'm a Bay Area kid just not saying it's happening but you would think at some point in the next seven to ten days Aaron would commit. What if he doesn't Now I know what is he waiting for?

Joy Taylor (31:08)

No, you're right that's a good point. I I just want to point out I know we have a lot of Steelers fans in the audience they did catch a break early Colin. They faced three of the four teams they face have quarterbacks in new spots Justin Fields with the Jets Sam Darnold with Seattle and J.J. mcCarthy is a rookie quarterback that's before the buy Cleveland also afterwards New England has a second year quarterback in Drake name so there is a world where Pittsburgh if Rodgers is okay starts out three and one right that that's on the table I.

Colin Cowherd (31:36)

Would say Pittsburgh's schedule reminiscent of last year if you start at week seven and Joe Burrow until the end of the season they will only potentially have the better quarterback twice Colts Week 9 and Browns Week 17 they will go in from Joe Burrow at Week 7 on a massive quarterback deficit to a team that lost Najee Harris their left tackle and Pickens so this is not, this is not good. You, you listen I and I've said this for years. I. One of the things I look at is how many a quarterbacks do you face? They face a lot of them and they probably have the weakest quarterback room if Aaron Rodgers doesn't sign in the league. Now, the good news is they want a quarterback for the future. So if there's a year in the last decade that you'd want Mike Tomlin to have a losing record, it is this year. This is not a bad thing. There are three to four first round quarterbacks at this point. They'll probably be another one, but three to four at this moment. So if you were going to pick in the last decade a bad Steeler season, this is it. And I'm looking at that schedule. Burrow on. You can't go, you can't go into your last, you know, 9, 10, 12 games, significantly worse at quarterback. Sorry.

Joy Taylor (33:01)

By the way, I, I don't think we're talking a lot of Niners today, Colin, but on The San Francisco 49ers front, if you and I agree, who the five best quarterbacks in the league are, right, Lamar Burrow, B. Holmes Allen, and I would say Jalen Hurts is 5. Do you know how many of those the San Francisco 49ers face?

Colin Cowherd (33:20)

None.

Joy Taylor (33:21)

Zero. That schedule, Colin, is cake. The Niners, I think they're, they might be going back to the Super Bowl. We'll get there. Hopefully we'll get there this off season.

Colin Cowherd (33:29)

I, I've got a Niner topic next. Okay, JMac with the news. Well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by. The herd lie news, you know, it's. I understand if you're a Celtic fan, you take this as a shot at Jason Tatum. It's just data is the Celtics without Jason Tatum. Boston blows out New York last night. The last two seasons without him, they're 17 and three. That would be better than any winning percentage in the league. Their points per game are 120. Number one in the league the last two years. This is a sample size. 20 games without Jason Tatum. They're virtually offensively number one in every category except field goal percentage. They plummet to fourth. Okay, so I've never seen anything like this in basketball historically. Now the Bulls, when they lost Jordan, remember he went and played baseball. They went 57 wins champions to 55 wins. Now they had BJ Armstrong, KU coach Horace Grant, Scotty Pippen. They were a very good team. They were a number three seed, but they were not nearly as good closing games without Michael. Celtics are, Celtics are. I mean Last night, Derrick White stepped up. Peyton Pritchard, amazing. Jalen Brown, Luke Cornett, whatever that was. They have so many. Their roster construction is so good. They have so many B plus players that they feel empowered when Jason's gone. They get more touches and looks. So it's the only comparison because this is so rare in basketball history. You watch. You watch the warriors without Steph, Unwatchable. You watch Denver when Jokic hits the bench. Brutal. Even if Jokic is tired. Brutal. The only comparison to the Celtics, historically, to me, is like Joe Gibbs in Washington where they were winning Super Bowls. The star quarterback did not. It was a stout defense, dominant offensive lines, very good run game. And like Mark Ribbon at quarterback or Doug Williams at quarterback, they were certainly capable, but they were not led by a quarterback. And that's what we expect, right? And I think part of this is that in basketball and to some degree in international soccer, we love the collective. But. But we want a Messi or a Ronaldo or Mbappe. We want, you know, Rooney. We want our guys. And in basketball, we're just not historically used to. And the ratings show we don't like it. The 70s NBA, where it's. Is it a start? Now, Walton, I'd argue, was a star. I would argue Elvin Hayes was a star. Dr. J was a star. Rick Barry was a star. So we always say, like, the 70s was just good teams, not great. You had some really. Rick Barry was pre Larry Bird. But we want our champion to have a superhero in basketball. Kobe and Shaq, Michael Jordan, Magic Bird. We want a superhero, and the Celtics don't have one, and we're uncomfortable with it. That's the basketball culture. And so that's why you often see the fans and the media trying to project James Harden into a superstar or Stevie Francis into a superstar. And they're just really good players. So I think it's. It's. We want. You know, we want Mission Impossible from our NBA championship, big brand, Tom Cruise. We don't necessarily love Ocean's Eleven. And that's kind of. That's kind of what Boston is. If you look at these numbers the last two years, it's not a shot at Jayson Tatum. It's the Joe Gibbs, Washington teams. The quarterback was just way more replaceable than he would have been in Kansas City, New England, San Francisco with Joe Montana. The numbers don't lie. They. They don't even go down sometimes. Their net rating goes up in certain stats. So it's just not. We don't love our basketball to be like that. We want the superhero where when he steps out or he gets in foul trouble, there's a clear breach, there is a clear drop. And now I do think Jayson Tatum gone for three games is different than Jayson Tatum gone for 82. And I also think they're going to move off Horford and Porzingis, so they're going to lose some size. They're going to, you know, they're Tatum Brown and Derrick White making a lot of money. And those contracts are just starting. But I think Drew Holiday could be gone. So I think that the Celtics will be a playoff team next year. But they are historically unique. Tatum's gone and they mow through a very good Knicks team. All right, I will address the San Francisco 49ers schedule. By most terms, it's egregious. Who knew Canadian Football League teams could get inserted in to the NFL schedule? Live in Chicago, it's the Herd. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific. Hey, it's Steve Covino and I'm Rich Davis. And together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You can catch us weekdays from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific, on Fox Sports Radio. And of course, the iHeartRadio app. Why should you listen to Covino and Rich? We talk about everything, life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world. We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture, stories that, well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends for the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right? So check us out. We like to get you involved, too. Take your phone calls, chop it up, as they say. I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the most interactive show on planet Earth. Be sure to check out Covino and Rich live on Fox Sports radio and the iHeartradio app from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search Covino and Rich wherever you get your podcast. And of course, on social media, that's Covino and Rich. Summer is almost 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. Get almost almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. Product availability may vary by region. See app for details. At the end of the season, there's only one team that can call themselves NBA champs. Only one player that can call themselves the number one pick in the NFL draft. Well, there's only one electric SUV worthy of the title. The ultimate the all electric BMW ix. What I love about the IX is that it delivers legendary BMW performance while its sleek design exudes innovative style from the inside out, not to mention how much space and utility it provides. Over 75 cubic feet of cargo space. The IX is completely changing the game with an all electric suv. The greatest legends of sports never compromise any part of the game, so why would you settle for anything less from your suv? After all, there's only one ultimate the BMW ix. Everything you love about the ultimate driving machine Electrified Interested in investing in Bitcoin but not sure how to get started? Well, with the Gemini Credit Card you can dip your toes into Bitcoin without even trying. Just spend like you normally do groceries, gas or a night out and instantly earn up to 4% back in Bitcoin or one of over 50 other cryptos straight to your account with no annual fee. The Gemini Credit Card is pretty much a no brainer and right now you can grab a $200 bitcoin intro bonus. So go to gemini.comcard to learn more and start earning today. Terms apply. Again, go to gemini.com card start building your Bitcoin stash now. Terms apply. The Gemini Credit Card is issued by Web Bank. In order to Qualify for the intro $200 crypto bonus, your application must be approved by June 30, 2025 and spend $3,000 in your first 90 days. Terms apply. Some exclusions apply to instant rewards in which rewards are deposited when the transaction posts this content is not investment advice and Trading Crypto involves risk for more details on rates, fees and other Gemini credit card terms. See rates and fees. Hey, so we all make mistakes, but owning up to them is the right thing to do. So you know Degree Cool Rush deodorant, right? Well, last year they changed the formula and it did not go over well with their fans. So Degree's whole thing is it turns up the sweat and odor protection when you turn up the effort. And good thing it does because Cool Rush fans really turned up the effort to bring the original formula back. One guy even started an online petition and Degree listened. They admitted they effed up. They're bringing back the original Cool Rush scent. They're bringing bringing it back and it's exactly how you remember it. Cool, crisp and fresh. It's back in Walmart, Target and other stores now for under $4. There's a reason it's been the number one men's antiperspirant for the last decade. It's the same reason why people were not happy when it changed. So if you've never tried it, it might be a good time to see what the fuss is about. Head to your local Walmart Target and try the OG Degree Cool Rush for yourself.

Joy Taylor (43:24)

As the Memphis showboats take on the San Antonio Brahmas. Fox UFL Friday kicks off at 8pm Eastern.

Colin Cowherd (43:34)

So I have been a skeptic on the last couple of drafts for the San Francisco 49ers. I have said this. They're getting old and expensive. I don't like their offensive line. I thought this year's draft was a lot of hit and miss with 11 picks. Four or five I like five or six. I didn't. But they have the easiest NFL schedule. I'm not joking. Since the 2015 Atlanta Falcons. And it's based on two metrics. Number one is last year's results. So they're playing a lot of teams that were bad last year. And the second metric is a lot of teams that are projected to be lousy this year. So on two different metrics, they've got the easiest schedule. Now, I will say this. If you gave Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Matt Stafford, Josh Allen this schedule, it is 13 to 14 wins. This is an affront to competitive football. And I don't want to hear $55 million Brock Purdy. I don't want to hear any excuses or I don't want to hear any pom poms when he wins 10 games with this mess of a schedule. Sanford. Not only is this schedule littered with mediocrity, they don't face a single Team off a buy, okay, outside of Matt Stafford twice and CJ Stroud once, they don't face what people view as an elite quarterback. In fact, it's rookie quarterbacks. It's quarterbacks without 20 total starts. So I'm done with the Brock Purdy excuses. And people will say, well, Colin, he's missing this and he's missing that. You know what he's missing? Back to back tough games all season. This is as easy as a schedule gets. So this is bowling with bumpers. This is a trust fund schedule. No discomfort. And again, does it make me think. And I'll say this, I think the division's better. I think the Rams are in a group of five super bowl favorite teams. I think Arizona's defense, which they went all in on free agency and draft is with a defensive coach, is going to be feisty. I think Seattle's got a great roster and I think Minnesota is going to regret. I do. I think they're going to regret moving off Sam Darnold. So I think the division is really good. Not AFC west, maybe not NFC north, but it's really good. But that schedule, what can I say? It starts easy. A couple, you know, Rams a little and ends easy. You don't get Rams in the first month. You know, you don't get a. You don't get playoff teams in the last month. Maybe they could complain their buys too late, but it is. I mean, you could down the stretch have Shador Sanders and Cam Ward and Anthony Richardson and it's a lot of nothing. Okay, real quick, if you're looking for.

Joy Taylor (46:31)

A hiccup, there are four road games in five weeks. That looks a little difficult there in October at Rams at Tampa, and then they've got Houston and the New York Giants. That could be difficult. Four road games in five weeks. You know, you got a Trent Williams injury, you're kind of screwed.

Colin Cowherd (46:48)

Sorry. Yeah, that's a real. That's a real toughie right there at the New York Giants. Shudder. That'll keep you awake at night. So the other thing that kind of jumps out to me is I had said every year I'm proud of this, actually probably too much. So pick the team that I think is going to double their win total. And of course, last year I had Washington and I said Denver was also going to be much better. The year before the Rams, everybody said they'll be in a rebuild. And J. Mac and I argued incessantly in the off season. Year before that, I think it was Minnesota. So I have said the team the safest bet to double your win total is New England and they were 4 and 13 last year. So they were not a favorite in any game last year. They're already a 3 1/2 point favorite in their opener hosting the Raiders. I would probably take the Raiders at three and a half but so I use basically a math equation when I'm trying to figure out how a team doubles their win total. I go to math. So it's, it's Uncle Colin math. But here is my math and see if you can follow this. So I think this is the coaching sport. I mean Nathaniel Hackett to Sean Payton. I thought that was a touchdown. That was a touchdown swing. Gerard Mayo to Mike Vrabel. I'm going to say it's half that. I'm going to say that's a three point improvement. One of the top ten coaches to a guy that appears to be more of a position or a coordinator. Again Peyton to Hackett was the difference between embarrassing in the playoffs with a rookie quarterback. Drake May is going into year two. 365 million in free agency spending I think is worth a point to a point and a half. I mean you got eight new starters, 11 draft picks including a left tackle. That's worth a point. Much better depth. A starting left tackle. Drake May second year with a much better staff. That feels like to me that's worth a point to a point and a half. So that is seven total points. If this team had seven total points last year, they would have won 10 games. So at four wins I kind of have them targeted for nine and a playoff team. I think they're a nine and eight, maybe 10 and seven if they stay healthy. And that's just by variables. A field goal, starting left tackle and 11 draft picks. Depth a point. 365 million in free agency, a point to a point and a half. Drake May with better coaches year two a point to a point and a half. If you look at New England's first nine weeks, take out the Buffalo game right in the middle of it. Four before it, four after it. If Drake May is as good as he showed last year with kind of a second level staff, if he improves and and with variable a better left tackle, a little more weaponry, he will potentially be the best quarterback in eight of the first nine weeks. So last year I picked Washington and Denver year before Rams. I take New England as the safest team to go from four wins to at least eight. I think they're probably going to be closer to nine. I also think you're going to have teams like Week 8 for Cleveland that could be a transitioning team moving into Shador Sanders. I think you've also got some breath. I mean, like New Orleans, Week six, who's starting for them at quarterback you could be transitioning into. Okay, we're all in five. Let's give the next. Let's give the kid from. Is it Louisville? Let's give him some starts. So I think like New Orleans and Cleveland, you get to start week 6, 7, 8. The local media is crushing you. You got one win. You could be moving off Flacco to Shadow, or you could be moving off whoever's starting in New Orleans to the rookie. So I just think there's a lot of things here that work. I think week 13, it's going to be Russell Wilson's team to start. But you get into a week 12 and 13 and the Giants may just say, we're shutting it down. We want to see Jackson dart for the last five or six weeks. I could see getting Jackson Dart in week 13 with the Giants. Who knows what the jets will be at quarterback. So I think New England is a pretty easy one to me. And I, you know, not every team that makes the playoffs is great. I don't think they're a team probably going to win a playoff game. But we've said this before, 14 teams make the playoffs. You usually get five, four to five teams that we think will win the super bowl and then about four to five to six teams that we think can absolutely win a game, maybe a second. There's a couple playoff teams that sneak in that we just don't. We don't think they're going to win a playoff game. But we appreciate the effort. I think New England's going to be closer to that than the top or the second layer. I don't think they're a team that still has enough juice on the perimeter. But you get, you have 11 draft picks. You're going to get at least three to four starters out of that. And you spend $365 million in free agency, you're getting five or six starters on that. And again, this is the coaching sport. Go to Denver. Denver was saddled with the Russell Wilson contract, so there were moves Sean Payton wanted to make and couldn't. So Mike Frable's not saddled with any of that stuff. New staff, I mean, you can look at that. I'll tell you right now. Kyle Williams, that third round pick for New England, could be one of the rookies that pops. He is a really electric player. I saw a lot of him in college so you know, I look at their offense and defensive line. Milton Williams got overpaid. That's a starter week one, so feel pretty good about it. We have to guess by the way, hour two is coming up. Albert Brewer stops by. When is she doing? I got my week. I'm ready. Hour two it's the herd. Summer is almost here and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. Now what do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered. A nice tan. Sorry, A box fan? Happily, yes. A day of sunshine? No. A box of fine wines, yes. 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. Interested in investing in Bitcoin but not sure how to get started? Well, with the Gemini Credit Card, you can dip your toes into Bitcoin without even trying. Just spend like you normally do groceries, gas or a night out and instantly earn up to 4% back in Bitcoin or one of over 50 other cryptos straight to your account with no annual fee. The Gemini Credit Card is pretty much a no brainer and right now you can grab a $200 bitcoin intro bonus. So go to gemini.comcard to learn more and start earning today. Terms apply. Again, go to gemini.com card start building your Bitcoin stash now. Terms apply. The Gemini Credit Card is issued by Web bank in order to Qualify for the Intro 200 crypto bonus, your application must be approved by June 30, 2025 and spend $3,000 in your first 90 days. Terms apply. Some exclusions apply to instant rewards, in which rewards are deposited when the transaction posts. This content is not investment advice and trading Crypto involves risk. For more details on rates, fees and other Gemini Credit Card terms, see Rates and Fees. Every once in a while, you get the chance to make a real difference, and this is one of those moments. Folds of Honor provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military members and first responders. It's a powerful mission honoring their sacrifice through the gift of education. But last year, about 7,000 qualified students didn't receive funding, and that number is expected to grow to nearly 10,000. Don't let financial needs stand in the way of their future. Visit foldsofhonor.org to donate. Any amount helps. Together, we can close that gap. One scholarship at a time. Okay, have you heard about this? Last year, Degree changed the formula for their Cool Rush deodorant, and their fans rebelled and wanted the old scent back. And Degree listened. That doesn't happen often, they admitted. They effed up and they're bringing back the original Cool Rush scent. They're bringing it back and it's exactly how you remember it. Cool, crisp and fresh. There's a reason. Reason? It's the number one men's antiperspirant. And it's back in Walmart, Target and other stores now for under four bucks. So try and see what the fuss is about. Head to your local Walmart or Target to try the OG Degree Cool Rush for yourself. You're listening to an Iheart podcast.