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- [00:00]
Colin Cowherd
You can count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities to small towns on America's largest 5G network. Switch the T Mobile keep your phone and they'll pay it off up to 800 bucks per line via prepaid card. Learn more@t mobile.com heap and switch up to four lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device credit service port in 90 plus days with device and eligible carrier and timely redemption. Acquired card has no cash access and expires in six months.
- [00:38]
NPR Host
Experiencing the news each day can feel like a journey with up first from NPR, though it doesn't have to be. Welcome to 15 Easy Minutes of breaking news, clarity on international and national affairs, and a casual tone that you can take in with breakfast. Begin your day informed, ready and refreshed. Begin your day with Up first. Subscribe to Up first from NPR on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [01:06]
Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart is back at the Daily show, and he's bringing his signature wit and insight straight to your ears with the Daily Show Ears Edition podcast. Dive into John's unique take on the biggest topics in politics, entertainment, sports and more. Joined by the sharp voices of the show's correspondents and contributors, and with extended interviews and exclusive weekly headline roundups, this podcast gives you content you won't find anywhere else. Ready to laugh and stay informed? Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [01:44]
Adnan Virk
What's up everybody? Adnan Verk here to tell you about a new podcast. It's NHL Unscripted with Verkin Demers, Jason.
- [01:50]
Jason Demers
Demers here, And after playing 700 NHL.
- [01:52]
Colin Cowherd
Games, I got a lot of dirty laundry to air out.
- [01:55]
Adnan Virk
Hey, I got a lot to say here too, okay? Each week we'll get together and chat about the sport that we love.
- [01:59]
Jason Demers
Tons of guests are going to join in too, but we're not just going to be talking hockey, folks.
- [02:02]
Colin Cowherd
We're talking movies. We're talking tv, food, and Adnan's favorite wrestling. It's all on Le Table.
- [02:09]
Adnan Virk
Listen to NHL Unscripted with Verk and.
- [02:10]
Colin Cowherd
Demers, the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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.
- [02:37]
Jason Demers
Now let's get this party started.
- [02:39]
Colin Cowherd
You're listening to FOX Sports Radio. All right, here we go. It's hour two. Greg Cosell in 90 seconds live in Los Angeles. It's the Herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening, thanks for making us part of your day. Lead story today is Ed Werder. Reports that Deion Sanders would accept the job with the Dallas Cowboys if offered, which I could get. Colorado football, Dallas Cowboys, big gap there. Jerry is increasingly enamored with it. The athletic, I trust them reported yesterday. Jerry was doing his own reconnaissance here. He was doing a little solo work on the phone. So it is, you know, a couple of people that like the spotlight. I don't know how it would work. I really don't. But I think if you look at the ascension of Deion Sanders because he was a star player and then he was a star TV personality and then, you know, he wasn't one of the top analysts in tv. There were other people and he did his thing. Then he got into coaching and he was back in the Spotlight again. And Colorado's been 13 and 12 and 25 games and they're kind of okay in an okay conference. And this would again, this would elevate Deion who's, you know, he's called prime time. It would elevate him to prime time. And so I think he'd be interested and I totally understand that. And he'd get a big raise and he wouldn't have to do all this silly nil transfer portal stuff. So if I was Deion Sanders, I'd take the job, too. Will it work that I have questions with. I don't think the Philadelphia Eagles this morning or the Washington commanders are shaking in their boots. I think Mike Vrabel is somebody that you go, oh, or Jim Harbaugh comes into your division or Sean Payton. That's an oh, we'll see. With that, let's go to Greg Cosell, 45 years, NFL Films. So let's start with one of my favorite guys. And we had said after the Detroit debacle that if he didn't play well against the Rams, that he was costing himself a lot of money. I still think he has a market. I think it's probably more of a Baker Mayfield 35 million dollar a year market and not the big boy market. But let's just talk Darnold for a second. What happened specifically to Sam Darnold last couple of weeks?
- [04:51]
Jason Demers
Well, I think there are two different things based on each game. I think against the Lions, he clearly missed throws that he had made all season with poor ball location. There were throws to be made that he missed. His old line in that game was not particularly good either, but there were throws to be made that he missed. The Rams game was a little different. He missed a few for sure. But that was a game in which his offensive line and I know I mentioned this to you last week, that I thought that could well be a deciding factor in the game. It was the Rams four man pass rush versus the Vikings O line, which is not a very good pass protecting O line was really the major factor in the game. And then what started to happen, which happens with a lot of quarterbacks, is the cumulative effect of pressure really got to Darnold and he started to play very fast. He started to be really uncomfortable. Now, keep in mind one of the things during the season that made him really good was that he stayed in the pocket, he waited. He made a lot of what we call late in the down throws where there were people around him. So he had a lot of success doing that during the season. But over the course of the game against the Rams, just the effect of the pressure, he succumbed to it and he just was a really uncomfortable player. You and I both know the narrative. People are saying, hey, that's the real Sam Darnold. I don't get into that. Colin, as you know, I can only tell you what the tape shows. Now, teams have to decide what he is, depending on who coaches him. We'll see about the Minnesota Vikings. Obviously they drafted a quarterback with the 11th pick in the draft. You know, I don't know the owners. I don't know what they're going to do. My immediate response would be I'd probably be surprised if they signed him to a lot of money because they probably say to Kevin O'Connell, hey, you're a really good coach. You draft a quarterback with the 11th pick. It's your job to make him a good quarterback.
- [06:43]
Colin Cowherd
Yep. All right, let's get into Rams at Philadelphia. We'll start with the Eagles. What did the tape say about the Philadelphia offense, which I thought was pretty bad? On third down, the Philly offense against Green Bay. It just felt. Philly felt out of sorts to me. What did the tape say?
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Jason Demers
Well, I think Philly, Colin, has a defined identity right now as to what they are and who they are. And if they don't have to step outside that identity, they don't. And the reason they more often than not don't have to is because of their defense. So they're a run first football team. And that run game includes Jalen Hurts, which makes them a little more difficult than your average team to defend. And it starts with Barkley. That's who they are now. They started the game with a lot of quick rhythm, timing throws by Jalen Hurts. He was six for six and then he got a little uncomfortable. He missed some things, didn't see some things. And I think they felt the way their defense was playing that they could win the game playing their way so they didn't have to go beyond that. I think the question many have is if they get into a game and whether it's this week or if they advance, whether it would be against the Lions, if they advance, how would they have to play or how would they play if they had to have Jalen hurts drop back 40 or 45 times. The very odd thing about Jalen Hurts is he has succeeded doing this in the past and he hasn't over much of this season and even going back to the last six, seven games last season. So it's really hard to understand why. I think they have some real advantages on the perimeter with Brown and Smith versus the sort of outside cornerback triumvit of the Rams, which is Witherspoon. It's Williams and Durant, and I would expect them to take some shots on the perimeter and Jalen throws a really good deep ball outside the numbers. So I'm kind of waiting to see when they're going to do that. But because of their defense, they don't really have to step outside of how they really play well.
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Colin Cowherd
Okay. I think the Rams offense is going to struggle against Philadelphia. They played perfect last week. That won't happen again. It's a short week of preparation. Kyron Williams is banged up. They're very Puka Nukua centric. You could double him. The Eagles have good corners. How? What does the tape sell? You know, listen, I saw the Rams offense against the Bills this year and against the Vikings. And if you only watch two games, you think it's the greatest show on turf. But they can be very inconsistent and very slow starting. And now warm weather team goes to cold weather against a really, really talented secondary. Rams offense, Phillies defense. What do you think?
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Jason Demers
Well, to me it's not the secondary as much perhaps as the defensive front. I think the Rams O line can be very up and down in terms of pass protection. I think there's some individuals who can be beaten one on one. I think the Eagles can do that with Jalen Carter and a very overlooked player named Milton Williams. Who's had a phenomenal year at the other D tackle position when they're in their pass rush group. So, you know, I think that the Rams are an interesting offense because it really does start with the run game. I mean, a lot of people might not be aware, and you are. I know, Colin, that Kyron Williams had 316 carries this year and missed the last game of the season.
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Colin Cowherd
Yeah.
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Jason Demers
So I mean, they're really a run first football team, their passing game. You know, the one thing about Stafford though, if he's hot, if he's comfortable, and that's the key thing, if he's comfortable, he can make great throws anytime. But I just think that that Eagles D line could be a deciding factor in this game against, against the Rams O line.
- [10:14]
Colin Cowherd
Okay, so let's get into Houston at Kansas City before we do. Justin Herbert, like Darnold took a lot of heat. And my takes always been with Justin Herbert is it's steps, right? Like, like bad coach, bad coach, great coach, you're not going to win the Super Bowl. He didn't play particularly well. I pointed out that Brett Favre once had six picks in a playoff game, Dan Fouts five and Joe Montana got benched in a playoff game. What did the tape say on Herbert?
- [10:43]
Jason Demers
Yeah, you know, those are narrative questions, which I don't, you know, really. That doesn't mean a lot to me. I know everybody wants to discuss that. You know, I think you have to understand one thing. You have to put it in the context of who the Chargers are on offense. Another team that's run first. They basically, they play with a converted D end who's a fullback now. That's what they do. That's how they start their offense. They could not run the ball at all. So now they're stuck having to throw the ball with one quality wide receiver, no really strong receiving, tight ends. And it was a game in which the interior of their O line got manhandled. And even their two tackles, Slater, who's very good, and the rookie alt, they did not do well against Hunter and Anderson. So they were just kind of physically beaten up front and they had to play, to use a cliche, they had to play kind of left handed because they don't really want to drop back and throw that often the way they had to in that game. So, you know, did Herbert miss some throws? Sure he did. But you know, they got out of the way they were. They're comfortable playing and you know, sometimes that happens in playoff games with young teams with new coaches that have to go through a learning process.
- [11:52]
Colin Cowherd
All right, now let's get into the Texans, Chiefs, Texans offensive approach, the stuff that worked against the Chargers, good defense. How will it match up against Spags? Chris Jones, you know, now he's getting healthier, right? What will they look like? C.J. stroud in the offense and mixing against the Chiefs defense?
- [12:12]
Jason Demers
Yeah, they played the Chiefs Week 16. Chris Jones, as I recall, did not play in that game. You know, I think that in an ideal world, the way the Texans would like to play is they'd like to have the run game be a starting point, work the play action pass game off of it, have CJ Stroud be very rhythmic and timing based, which he was last week, and therefore he looked pretty comfortable for most of that game. That's the way they would like to play. Then they can work Collins on the outside and there are some really good matchups there because no corner in this league has played more pressed man than Trent McDuffie, who's now pretty exclusively an outside corner. Does not play in the slot hardly at all over the last number of weeks. So that's the way they'd like to play now. If their defense can keep the game together, they can continue to play that way. That's the way they played last week against the Chargers because Mixon did not have. He only had six carries in the first half for 15 yards. But because of their defense and because of the game flow, they were able to give him the ball in the second half where I believe he had 19 carries. And I think in the fourth quarter, the 18 of their 21 plays were called runs. So this is the way they would like to play, but that becomes a function of their defense. Colin. And you know, it's always hard to assess Patrick Mahomes because he's such a great player and when the playoffs come, we see him raise his game to an incredibly high level. But all we have is the season. And the Chiefs were not an explosive offense during the season, but they've also had a lot of time off and players are going to be refreshed and healthy.
- [13:41]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah, I mean, I, I found this to be true off a buy extra time. Andy Reid's the best coach in the NFL and so I think they take a mediocre receiving core and they make it better. All right, let's go. Baltimore, Buffalo, the marquee game of the weekend. Listen, you know, the Baltimore defense, if you, as you noted two, three weeks ago, and you've said this several times, Baltimore's defense was an issue Pre Thanksgiving. It's gotten better post Thanksgiving.
- [14:07]
Jason Demers
Yeah.
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Colin Cowherd
When you look at I think Buffalo's really got nice pieces. I think this is by far and away their most complete offense with Josh Allen. Will they have to be Josh Allen Reliant or do you think they can work on the margins here and move the ball without being Josh Allen centric against the Ravens?
- [14:24]
Jason Demers
Well, I think the big question is can they run the football? They clearly felt they could come out and grind away at the Denver Broncos defense because they lined up in the first half. They like to play with six offensive linemen, which they do quite a bit more than any team in the league this year. James Cook had 13 carries in the first half. Nine of them came on first down. Colin, they clearly felt they could physically beat the Broncos. I'm not sure that that is going to be the case against this Ravens defensive front. They got a lot of big people at defensive tackle, a lot of guys whose weight begins with the number three. And those guys are hard to move and they were one of the best run defense teams in the league. So the question, and we don't know the answer, that's the great thing about this weekend is there's so many unanswerables. The question is do the Bills game plan with the idea that hey, we can line up and run the ball, we can put big people out there and have success, or is this going to be a tough go and this has to be a little more of a Josh Allen centric game. And by that I don't mean put on the Superman cape, I mean just have to throw the ball more on early downs as more of a foundation of their offense as opposed to the run game. And I think that that's a question you really don't know the answer to until we see the game on Sunday evening. By the way, it's supposed to be bitter, bitter cold.
- [15:44]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah. Which Lamar doesn't necessarily love that. But I do think the Buffalo Bills on multiple occasions this year, their defense has been susceptible to occasionally getting pushed around. So that's why the odds. That's why the wise guys, that's why Vegas guys like Baltimore this weekend. So you tell me, Lamar and Derrick Henry Zay Flowers is still not practicing. It didn't matter last week. How do they match up against Buffalo's defense?
- [16:13]
Jason Demers
Well, it's funny you say that they only played eight snaps last week with three wide receivers on the field and I'm sure that was a function of Flowers being out. That's a really hard defense to defend. Maybe the toughest, excuse me, the toughest offense. Maybe the toughest offense to defend in the league with what Lamar adds to the run game. I mean, look, they came out against the Steelers and they pretty much said not only do you have to stop Derrick Henry, but you have to stop Lamar in the run game. So it wasn't just the threat of Lamar. They said, we're going to run him and you have to stop him. So their run game is so multi dimensional in everything they do and they've got big people up front. And then the way Lamar is throwing the ball this year, he's thrown it better than he ever has. His ball placement has been more precise than it ever has. This is a really difficult offense to defend. And you know, again, I'm not predicting games, but I'm really curious. Again, it's an unanswerable to see how the Bills can handle it. I mean, Ed Oliver is a really good player, but he's 280 pounds. So I'm curious to see how this all plays out. And I think we'll find out pretty early because I think, I think you'll see the same kind of thing from Baltimore with Lamar being a factor in the run game early to see how the Bills tactically are going to defend that.
- [17:27]
Colin Cowherd
Okay, so now we get to Commanders. Big underdogs at Detroit. I, I said it this week. This game for the Lions is kind of instructive. Think about this for a second. So Jared Goff is a pocket guy, but if Detroit wins this game, they'll have to face a mobile Jalen hurts. And if they got to the Super Bowl, a mobile Lamar, a mobile Mahomes, a mobile Josh Allen. So in a way, if Jaden Daniels is a bit of a gift to play because on their roster, they don't practice against mobile quarterbacks. That's not what they do. And this is an opportunity to face a team that you're clearly better than. We don't know if they're better than Philly, Buffalo, Baltimore, Kansas City. So I like Detroit in this game, but I watched Jaden Daniels. I don't remember maybe Andrew Locke, a rookie quarterback that was this good late in game. Situationally. What does the film say?
- [18:25]
Jason Demers
Yeah, and I think he just has a really good feel for movement. You know, we've talked for years and I'm not making a direct comparison, so I don't want people to think I am. But we always talk about Patrick Mahomes and just his spatial awareness, just the way he kind of feels things and sees sees things without actually having to look at them. Daniels has a little bit of that to his game. And it's the movement element that's so difficult. And it's not just the design runs, which they call design runs, obviously for Daniels, but just when he moves out of the pocket and the impact it has on the defense. I remember having a conversation with a very well respected defensive coordinator a few years ago talking about mobile quarterbacks, and he said the problem is, is you literally have to practice two defenses all week long. You have to practice a defense for the first two, two and a half seconds of a play, which is within the structure of the play. And then you have to practice what you do defensively after two and a half seconds when the play becomes something totally different. And he said that's really, really difficult to do. And, you know, that's why mobile quarterbacks are becoming more and more a factor in the league and they're so difficult to defend. So in many cases, those guys don't have to be pristine from the pocket because they can just make plays that break down defenses. And that's what, that's what Daniels can do. And those kinds of plays, Colin, become more critical, more sort of high leverage is the term people use in the fourth quarter of games.
- [19:53]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah, the. Let's go to the, let's go to the big play of the week with Jaden Daniels because we, we know the Lions, we know what they do. They're going to move the ball to some degree. The wild card is really in this game is can the Commanders keep up? Because we know Detroit's dropping 25, 26, 27, 28 points, right?
- [20:13]
Jason Demers
Yeah. And this play is a great example of just what I'm talking about. It was from the game last week against the Bucs and the Bucks. As we go to the play, the Bucs did what a lot of teams are going to do against Jaden Daniels. They're going to try to do late coverage rotation to confuse him. That's what teams do with young quarterbacks. They show you one thing and then they give you something else. So what you're going to see here is you're going to see Jaden Daniels. Okay, this was actually a second and long play. So what is he looking at initially? Right now he's looking at a single high safety. Okay. And what is he looking at from a front perspective? He's looking at a pressure front. There are six up front. So right now he might be thinking, hey, I'm going to get some pressure. There's a Single high safety. I've got to be aware of that. Those are all alerts. But what's going to happen here is there's going to be a safety rotation. They're going to sink the safety to the boundary and expand the safety to the field and they're eventually going to get to cover two because one of those linebackers that's on the ball is going to drop out as what we call the middle hole defender in cover two. So that's what you're going to get here. You're going to get a change. Late coverage rotation, all designed to make Jaden Daniels have to think through the play once he takes the snap of the ball instead of feeling comfortable. So what's going to happen now is he's going to get really quick inside pressure. So he's going to have to move. There's no way here he can stay in the pocket. He's going to have to move and he moves to his right. So this is where the second part of the play comes in. The flat defender and the hook defender in cover two. What do they do? They abandon their coverage areas of responsibility to react to Jaden Daniels because they see him running right at them. So what then happens? They abandon their responsibility. Diami Brown is going to run across her essentially right behind them. They are now out of their coverage. It becomes an easy pitch and catch throw for 30 yards. This is just what we were talking about. The fact that there's a second part of the play that you now have to defend after you think you've done such a really good job with your late location, your attempt to try to confuse him, you know, everything works great until he leaves the pocket and then everything becomes different. And a play that you felt good about is now a 30 yard game for Jaden Daniels. That's what you're dealing with.
- [22:40]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah, that's why they're in the playoffs. Greg Gosad, great seeing you. 45 years, NFL Films. Thank you very much.
- [22:48]
Jason Demers
Thanks, Colin. I appreciate it.
- [22:49]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah, again, that was just a really good play. Like, you have a defense and it's in its spot and then you have to react to him and then you do. And the kid's so quick and intuitive. He's like, okay, I'll just drop it off. That was a difficult throw. That became an easy throw in about half a second. And that kid's smart enough to figure it out and see it. We always talk about this in the NFL. I always said this was Zach Wilson and Justin Fields. They have the arm and the mobility. They don't appear to see the field well. Early Mahomes and Jaden Daniels Jaden Daniels sees stuff. He just sees, you know what said this about Gretzky. He saw the goal. He saw the past before it existed. Jaden Daniels and Mahomes had this gift. He saw the open receiver before he was open. He was a step half a second. He can see a play develop before it's fully developed. Anticipatory thrower and reactor if you've been thinking about home security, now is the time to join SimpliSafe stops break ins go to simplisafecollin.com 50% off a new system with professional monitoring plan. There is no safe like SimpliSafe. One more herd the herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the iHeartRadio app. Search herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Omaha Steaks is America's original butcher and has been bringing people together with the world's best steak experience for more than 100 years of family owned experience. From handcrafted steaks to hearty roasts, family style sides and quick convenient comfort meals, Omaha Steaks delivers everything you crave to reset and relax after the holidays and now during their end of season sale. You can taste the difference and get 50% off site wide@omahasteaks.com plus our listeners get an extra 20 bucks off with a promo code Herd at checkout. Omaha Steaks offers unrivaled quality and variety and every bite is backed by their 100% guarantee. They also carry mouth watering burgers, chicken, pork, seafood, dessert and easy to prepare comfort food. Bring home the world's best steak experience with Omaha steaks. Visit Omaha steaks.com for 50% off site wide during their end of season sale and for an extra 20 bucks off with a promo code HERD at checkout. That's 50% off@omaha steaks.com and for an extra $20 off with a promo code Herd at checkout. Hi, it's Colin. JLab audio is changing the audio game for good, producing some of the best earbuds and headphones designed for everyday life without breaking the bank. And they are made in the same location as some of the other popular earbuds on the market that are triple the price. Don't overpay for quality headphones and earbuds, I don't. For those looking to conquer their fitness goals in 2025, JLab recommends the JBUD Sport ANC4, offering a secure fit and super long battery life for those tough workouts. For small ears, check out the JBuds Mini so small they fit in your keychains to your Never without headphones. And if you're looking to zone out with a podcast or get in the zone at the office, check out their active noise canceling headphones. It's a true luxury feel. Discover your perfect pair of headphones just like I did and upgrade your audio game today. Look for the JLab Blue Box at retailers everywhere or visit jlab.com youm can count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities to small towns on America's largest 5G network. Switch the T Mobile keep your phone and they'll pay it off up to 800 bucks per line via prepaid card. Learn more@t mobile.com heap and switch up to four lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device credit service port in 90 plus days with device and eligible carrier and timely redemption required. Card has no cash access and expires in six months.
- [26:53]
NPR Host
Experiencing the News each day can feel like a journey with up first from NPR, though it doesn't have to be. Welcome to 15 Easy Minutes of breaking news, clarity on international and national affairs, and a casual tone that you can take in with breakfast. Begin your day informed, ready and refreshed. Begin your day with Up First. Subscribe to Up first from NPR on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [27:22]
Colin Cowherd
So I saw this story. Jordan Schultz next hour. That a report? I'm not reporting this, that Russell Wilson and the Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith did not have a good working relationship. So whereas Tom Brady got along with almost everybody, Russell Wilson increasingly gets along with hardly anybody. Arthur Smith, his college coach, Tom O'Brien moved off him, Pete Carroll at the end, Sean Payton, now Arthur Smith. Privately, I had a source tell me that Nat Hackett felt he was limited and it wasn't a great relationship. So Marshawn lynch at one point said, I don't even have his phone number. I know him and I like him. But there are multiple instances of former teammates criticizing him. And it's just weird. You don't hear former teammates. They usually, I mean, when Drew Brees retired, you had offensive linemen going to the podium crying and, and, and even guys like Peyton Manning who could be hard on teammates had dozens of friends, dozens of friends in his locker room. So there have been quarterbacks that don't get along with a lot of teammates, Jeff George and Jay Cutler, but they were kind of cocky and outspoken. Russ, isn't it's more political and inauthentic and unapproachable. At least that's what it sounds like. You know, you remember the fake in the high fives thing or on the plane flight tour from London where he was doing exercises and driving his teammates crazy on the plane. Sometimes it feels like he's acting as a quarterback and not just playing quarterback. So the stuff doesn't bother me. But I do think there is something that is true, is that being a quarterback involves a lot of things and in it involves leadership and toughness. And there's some things I think Ross is tough and I think he works really hard and I think he's smart, but he's not one of the guys. And I think there's just too many instances. Why is this story getting out and why did the Peyton stuff get out and the Pete Carroll stuff get out? Why? And the Marshawn lynch stuff. And so, you know, Brady was legendary for being the best beer chugger in a locker room of beer chuggers. Like, like Brady was one of the dudes. And again, Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen have very much, despite their wealth and talent and importance, kind of a one of the guys feel. I don't think everybody has to be as good as Brady or Josh Allen or, or Lamar, whose teammates love him. But you know, it's interesting. There was a quarterback named Roger Staubach when I was a kid growing up, so he was in the Naval Academy, ended up making being worth almost $800 million. He was a brilliant guy who was in the military, very, very Christian. Not a guy that would play around. He didn't necessarily, you would think, connect, you know, or have a lot in common with some of his professional teammates. And yet he was revered in Dallas by the coach in the locker room. So you have to put in the effort. It's a real thing in the NFL. Tom Brady used to go and introduce himself to rookies. Hi, I'm Tom Brady. Everybody knew it was Tom Brady, but it. And I think sometimes with Russ he doesn't quite have that connectability. The Steelers, I see this Arthur Smith story. The Steelers really right now don't know what they're going to do at quarterback. According to Mike Tomlin, we don't have.
- [31:02]
Adnan Virk
A quarterback under contract and so we got some major discussions there. It's also been, I guess three times out of the last four years. We've, we've taken a quick exit from the tournament.
- [31:12]
Jason Demers
And so we're having all of those.
- [31:15]
Adnan Virk
Discussions and acknowledge that those similarities exist.
- [31:19]
Jason Demers
And obviously that's going to be a.
- [31:21]
Adnan Virk
Component of us in terms of our decision making this time around relative to.
- [31:25]
Colin Cowherd
The subject, you know, the catchphrases, the fake high fives, whatever. People are quirky. That doesn't really bother me. But it is another story leaking out about a trusted coach or teammate that doesn't connect with him. There's something there that's off putting to people. I mean, we had Zach Ertz on yesterday, yesterday or the day before and he was talking about Jaden Daniels and I just wish more people would talk about Russ this way when they were teammates. He has the ultimate quiet confidence. He is, he has such strong belief in himself, but it comes off in a way that is so humble. And guys just, I mean I have, I compared him to Andrew in the training camp.
- [32:16]
Adnan Virk
People called me crazy, obviously playing with.
- [32:19]
Colin Cowherd
Andrew in college, but just his poise, how composed he is. Yeah. And I think there's some things that Russell has that are similar to that. But it's just when you hear people talk about Jaden Daniels, it's with affection and it feels like they really, really deeply care about him. And I don't know what it is. I'm not going to try to project or guess, but I'm just getting story after story after story and I Brady played forever. I don't think I have one of those. I don't think I have one of them. I mean, Aaron Rodgers is prickly. He got a lot of guys defending him. You got a lot of teammates that like Aaron Rodgers and you know, again, good looking Malibu house cover of magazines. You could argue Aaron. How does Aaron connect with a lot of guys? He's connects with enough of them. J Mac with the news. No, no, no, turn on the news. This is the Herd line news.
- [33:21]
Adnan Virk
All right, Colin, start with Jaden Daniels here. What an incredible rookie year he's had. Poised to take home offensive rookie of the year. I don't think there's anybody close. He was tremendous against the commanders and the high leverage downs led to the game winning field goal. Now they faced the Lions Saturday on Fox and Jared Goff was asked about how good the rookie's been.
- [33:43]
Jason Demers
Extremely impressive.
- [33:44]
Colin Cowherd
Very, very impressive for anyone that young to do what he's doing and doesn't look like he is a rookie. It doesn't look like he feels like a rookie. It feels like he understands the moment and is comfortable in it. And so our job on defense is trying to make them comfortable and it's been a challenge for a lot of teams this year. But I'm excited to see what they do. I mean, you talk about a contrast in styles, Jaden Daniels and golf, but they're both successful. There's more than one way to do it.
- [34:10]
Adnan Virk
If you're Washington, you are doing cartwheels. You got your gu. Hopefully for the next 15 years. That being said, this just came across my desk. Colin.
- [34:19]
Colin Cowherd
What?
- [34:21]
Adnan Virk
So do you want to guess how many wins Washington has at basically the buzzer this season? Like, walk off. Wins. Wins with like five seconds left in the game. Five, seven. I mean, seriously, I'm not making this up. The Tampa playoff game.
- [34:35]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah.
- [34:36]
Adnan Virk
Field goal.
- [34:36]
Colin Cowherd
Walk off.
- [34:38]
Adnan Virk
The Bears, Hail Mary. They beat Dallas on a touchdown with three seconds left in Week 18. Atlanta in overtime, walk off. They beat the Eagles with a touchdown with six seconds left. The Saints tried to go for two to win the game with no time on the clock.
- [34:51]
Colin Cowherd
That's right.
- [34:52]
Adnan Virk
And then the Giants in week two with a field goal at the buzzer. Seven wins with like six seconds are left in the game or less. Now, now that's unsustainable. Okay, that is just. Well, that's impossible.
- [35:02]
Colin Cowherd
It is unsustainable. But winning 75% of those, like Mahomes is sustainable. Okay, so it's going 80 or 70 is not sustainable. But Mahomes beats everybody close. And you know, the one guy he didn't, old Tom Brady in New England, went 2. 0 against him in close games. So Brady spent a career winning 75% of his close games. Mahomes couldn't beat him in close games. Now nobody can beat Mahomes in close games.
- [35:30]
Adnan Virk
That's, that's a good point. I will also add, I've seen some numbers. I think they hit 86% on fourth down this season, which is, according to some, the greatest fourth down season in NFL history.
- [35:41]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah. Now I don't think that's sustainable, but I'm going to argue that winning close games late in the last minute is sustainable.
- [35:48]
Adnan Virk
Now what's, what's the argument?
- [35:49]
Colin Cowherd
Just, the argument is some people, they. I saw this on years and years ago. They were doing a test on NASCAR drivers and it may have been Jeff Gordon or somebody. And they were testing their heart rate as they went around the corner at Daytona and his heart rate did not go up. There are players, golfers. Tiger woods was great in tight tournaments. Like, I think there are human beings that it's just an innate thing. Their heart rate doesn't rise. I think Mahomes is a classic example of. He just flourishes in those big Spots. Michael Jordan, flourish, Tiger Woods. There have been golfers that are very good in those moments and other golfers who can struggle. And I think, I think Jaden Daniels and Mahomes, I think it's just part of their personality.
- [36:31]
Adnan Virk
Unflappable.
- [36:32]
Colin Cowherd
Unflappable. Never. Never. I don't know.
- [36:36]
Adnan Virk
Don't get rattled. Daniels just looks calm, cool. That, that scramble against Tampa where the defensive tackle grabbed his towel. That's how close he was to Daniels. And Daniel just calmly went around the end and then just dove and you got the first. You're like, oh, that's game over. This kid is. He's special. I just, it as a Jets fan, it just kills me that week. 20 years, we can't find one of those guys ever. I mean, hell, longer than 20 years. I mean, we thought we had something. Sanchez, you know, our guy here, Mark Sanchez. But just, it's just, it's frustrating. And congrats to Washington, you guys. You guys have it real good. Let's move on to the Bears, who are in the thick of their head coaching search. Colin, they had the in person interview with Mike McCarthy last night. I'm sure you're working your sources to find out where they were dining. Caleb Williams obviously will have some say in the decision. And an appearance on his former USC teammate Amara St. Brown's podcast. Caleb Williams revealed what he would like in his next head coach.
- [37:32]
Jon Stewart
Strong minded.
- [37:36]
Colin Cowherd
A leader of men. Selfishly, I want an office of minded.
- [37:41]
Jason Demers
Guy so I can build with him.
- [37:44]
Colin Cowherd
And you know, be with, be with that coach for the next 19, 17, 15 years.
- [37:51]
Jason Demers
And so I can also learn and.
- [37:53]
Colin Cowherd
Grow and you know, things like that.
- [37:57]
Jason Demers
From him and, and what he's seen and what he, you know, what he's.
- [38:01]
Colin Cowherd
Gone through with, you know, maybe other QBs. I think all of that sounds reasonable and that's why Mike McCarthy now reportedly.
- [38:13]
Adnan Virk
Oh gosh, here we go. I wasn't gonna read this. They put this in the notes. Go ahead.
- [38:16]
NPR Host
No, you go ahead.
- [38:16]
Adnan Virk
I don't even want to say it.
- [38:17]
Colin Cowherd
No, they went to dinner last night. Apparently the dinner was excellent. The laughs were flowing and so was the Beano.
- [38:24]
Adnan Virk
That's not what was in the report. This is.
- [38:28]
Colin Cowherd
Say it.
- [38:29]
Adnan Virk
All right, I'll say it. The expectation was there going to be a five, six hour meeting. Oh my gosh, we're going to. And it didn't come close to that. That's all we've got the details coming. Wasn't a long meeting. Doesn't mean it wasn't a nice meal. I'M just curious, like if you got Caleb Williams, how much input does he have in this process? Do you, do you ask him his thoughts? Do you give names to him? Like, I'm really curious about that.
- [38:51]
Colin Cowherd
Good question. I think he just gave you the input.
- [38:53]
Adnan Virk
No, no, I'm talking the Bears. Do they call him up? No, not your buddy on the podcast?
- [38:57]
Colin Cowherd
No.
- [38:58]
Adnan Virk
Kevin Warren and Paul.
- [38:59]
Colin Cowherd
He just told the Bears what he wants. Sometimes you speak to people directly, sometimes you speak to people through the press. LeBron has done that a few times. He spoke to the Cavs through the press.
- [39:12]
Adnan Virk
So let me. LeBron had accomplished stuff. Let me flip it. So are. Are the Bears a little tick tock, Caleb here saying, I want an offensive minded guy?
- [39:21]
Colin Cowherd
Well, no, I don't think he was adamant or demanding. I think he was asked, what would you like? And the first thing he said is leader of men. You know, offensive coach. I could grow with that. Is Caleb making his case for. I had a defensive coach, our offensive line got horrible. So I think Caleb is telling you subtly and not whatever how you view it. Caleb is basically because leader of men is vague. What does that mean? But offensive minded coach is Caleb's way of saying, I could have not put that out there. I'm gonna put that out there. I want an. I want Ben Johnson, I want Mike McCarthy, I want an offensive coach like Lincoln Riley that I can grow with.
- [40:07]
Adnan Virk
So again, I hope people listening don't take this the wrong way. I like Caleb Williams, I'm rooting for him. Would a better answer have been, you know what, I got confidence in my front office. They're gonna get us whatever?
- [40:17]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah, but how could he say that? He'd be lying.
- [40:19]
Adnan Virk
Well, sometimes you gotta tell white lies. You do that sometimes. I know I do. You don't tell some white lies.
- [40:24]
Colin Cowherd
No.
- [40:24]
Adnan Virk
In interviews you're totally forthcoming about everything.
- [40:27]
Colin Cowherd
Mostly.
- [40:30]
Adnan Virk
All right, the final story is Ben Johnson, big name on the board. Now the preble's gone to the Patriots. There has been a lot of momentum behind the Raiders being the team to land Ben Johnson. And the athletic reports that Johnson is the leader in the clubhouse for the Raiders job. Now this report goes on to claim that Ben Johnson will be paired with his choice commander's assistant GM Lance Newmark. They were together for five seasons prior. Ben Johnson originally planned to be with only the Bears, Jags and Patriots before the Raiders stepped in. This is curious. Ben Johnson wants to go somewhere where they do not have a.
- [41:10]
Colin Cowherd
Well, you look in that division with Andy Reid, Sean Payton and Harbaugh I think the Raiders are saying we gotta keep up offensively because we have the worst quarterback. I think the Raiders are gonna. My guess is the Raiders take Shador Sanders. That's what they're gonna do.
- [41:25]
Adnan Virk
You think he's gonna be there? Let me see. 6.
- [41:28]
Colin Cowherd
Well, I think they'll move up and maybe move a player. But I think Ben Johnson and Shadour Sanders with. With their defensive players and the effort I, I think the Raiders will be. I would have no problem if you told me Ben Johnson, Shador Sanders in that coaching division because I think Andy Reid's got a few years left. Not a ton. I don't have any problem with that at all. I would, I would sign. I signed off on Vrabel to the Patriots. Excellent. Ben Johnson to the Raiders. Now I know it's a big, big lift, but my take is the Raiders are going to fire him in three years. I mean literally it's. I mean they fire everybody. So my take is though the Raiders at this point, the division is so smartly coached from the offensive side. Go get clever in this instance because you don't have a quarterback. Chicago's got the quarterback and a better roster than the Raiders. I want an adult. Okay, okay. The Raiders are mostly right now quarterback coaching staff, some elements. They're a bigger rebuild.
- [42:31]
Adnan Virk
Let me ask you. The Brady was with Buffalo.
- [42:34]
Colin Cowherd
Right.
- [42:34]
Adnan Virk
And he prior was with lsu. He had Joe Burrow and Josh Allen. He's looked awesome as an offensive coordinator. Okay. We've basically only seen Ben Johnson with a stacked deck in Detroit. An amazing offensive line, a really good quarterback who was the number one overall pick. I think golf was receiver running like they've had everything. He goes to the Raiders. He's got nothing. Colin, they don't have a quarterback. The offensive line has. Is one or two parts. The receiving room is below average. The running backs are.
- [43:02]
Colin Cowherd
That's what I'm saying. Nothing.
- [43:04]
Adnan Virk
This idea that Ben Johnson is going to go in and be running, hooking.
- [43:06]
Colin Cowherd
That's right.
- [43:06]
Adnan Virk
They don't have anything. I don't know that he's going to be successful there. Especially if you have to train up for Shador. I'm not loving this.
- [43:15]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah. I think McCarthy can stabilize the Bears. I don't think the Raiders are stabilizable. Right, right, right. I think I think McCarthy could stabilize a talented roster. I don't think that's. That is. That shouldn't even be a pursuit because I don't think the Raiders are stable and they never will be with his ownership group. They'll never be stable. The McCaskeys are 100 something. They could pass away. The family breaks it up within three years. Yeah, Mark Davis can own this thing until he passes. So you can't worry about stability. Just go get clever offensively. Just go. The Bears McCarthy would solve some of their on most of their on field stuff. I don't think the Raiders are. They're not solvable.
- [44:00]
Adnan Virk
Sounds like it's not happening, but I would love to see Ben Johnson with Caleb Williams and the running room they got and the wide receivers and the tight end they got some dudes.
- [44:09]
Colin Cowherd
J. Mack with the news. Well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by. The Herd LIE news Jordan Schultz next hour. Don't go anywhere. He's got all the latest on this stuff. The Raiders job, the Bears job, the jets job, the Saints job, Lyman LA 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. Hi, it's Colin. JLab audio is changing the audio game for good, producing some of the best earbuds and headphones designed for everyday life without breaking the bank. And they are made in the same location as some of the other popular earbuds on the market that are triple the price. Don't overpay for quality headphones and earbuds. I don't. For those looking to conquer their fitness goals in 2025, JLab recommends the JBuds Sport ANC4, offering a secure fit and super long battery life for those tough workouts. For small ears, check out the JBuds Mini, so small they fit in your keychain so you're never without headphones. And if you're looking to zone out with a podcast or get in the zone at the office, check out their active noise canceling headphones. It's a true luxury feel. Discover your perfect pair of headphones just like I did and upgrade your audio game today. Look for the JLab Blue Box at retailers everywhere or visit jlab.com youm can count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities to small towns on America's largest 5G network. Switch the T Mobile, keep your phone and they'll pay it off up to 800 bucks per line via prepaid card. Learn more@t mobile.com heapandswitch up to 4 lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device, credit service port in 90 plus days with device and eligible carrier and timely redemption. Required card has no cash access and expires in six months.
- [46:59]
NPR Host
Experiencing the News each day can feel like a journey with up first from NPR, though it doesn't have to be. Welcome to 15 Easy Minutes. Minutes of breaking news, clarity on international and national affairs, and a casual tone that you can take in with breakfast. Begin your day informed, ready and refreshed. Begin your day with Up first. Subscribe to Up first from NPR on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [47:28]
Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart is back in the host chair at the Daily show, which means he's also back in our ears on the Daily Show Ears Edition Podcast. The Daily show podcast has everything you need to stay on top of today's news and pop culture. You get hilarious, satirical takes on entertainment, politics, sports and more from John and the team of correspondents and contributors. The podcast also has content you can't get anywhere else, like extended interviews and a roundup of the weekly headlines. Listen to The Daily show here's edition on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [48:07]
Colin Cowherd
Help.
- [48:08]
Adnan Virk
Families impacted by the California wildfires. Visit Go Fox, Backslash Redcross, or scan the QR code on your screen to support these efforts. Your donation enables the Red Cross to respond to and help people recover from this disaster.
- [48:23]
Colin Cowherd
So I watched the warriors fend off Milwaukee and beat them. They had a huge lead and held off the T Wolves in one. And I miss the old warriors, this year's team. If Steph's great, they win. If he's not, they don't. It's pretty simple. He doesn't have much of a supporting Caps, not enough of one. Draymond Green, yes, but they just don't have enough great players to compete with the OKCs, Cleveland's, Boston, Dallas, they just don't. And I think dynasties are good for sports because it feels like you're watching an event. And increasingly Americans are watching Saturday, Sunday sports, Monday Night Football, World Cup, UFC fights, events. It's hard to get people to watch Monday through Friday games that don't feel special. So warriors with Kevin Durant and without Kevin Durant in their prime felt special. NFL's popularity has surged in the last 25 years with two teams dominating New England and Kansas City. Major League Baseball had a huge rating surge this year. Yankees and Dodgers. Is that equal? Doesn't equal more interesting. But Adam Silver yesterday, he was on the show and he was great. He likes what he's seeing. Competitive balance.
- [49:32]
Jason Demers
At the end of the day, we sell competition. To your point, if Kevin Durant couldn't have gone to Golden State from Oklahoma City when he did, the team he had gone to would have almost by definition, if it weren't already a great team, would have become a great team. And for us, we think that's better league wide in terms of creating more competition. That's what we're selling. I mean, I think that's part of the reason for the enormous success of the NFL. This any given Sunday notion that nobody thinks twice if you know the packers are in the Super Bowl. There's no bemoaning that it's a small.
- [50:09]
Colin Cowherd
Market, but it should be duly noted that the Chiefs and Mahomes and the Patriots and Brady have overwhelmingly dominated the league for 25 years during the growth. Now the NFL is also different because of scarcity. There's one game a week. It just the way the world is working, we're on our phones all the time. One game a week. Scarcity. NFL games feel like an event. NBA games don't. So I think what does work in volume sports like the NBA and baseball is special. Major League Baseball, when they play in a cornfield, special. Mets, Phillies in London, special. Home run derby special. World Series special. Otani special. NBA, you know, Steph and LeBron on Christmas special. Conference championships special. So I, I think and I like the NBA cup which, you know, the colored court makes, you know, purple court, gray court, red court. Whatever it is, it kind of feels special. So I don't necessarily agree that dynasties are bad for baseball or basketball or for that matter, hockey. NFL doesn't need them, but they've surged while having them. Our three Next Whether you're ordering wings for the game, whipping up a seven layer dip, or ordering pizza, there's something about football that makes me want to eat. And this football season, Uber Eats has the best deals for me on game day food, no matter what I'm craving from two for one Pizza to buy one get one Wings. Uber Eats will be dropping new deals each week. All season long, I'm in Uber Eats, the official on demand delivery partner of the NFL. Order now for game day. Terms and conditions apply. See App for details.
- [51:54]
NPR Host
Experiencing the news each day can feel like a journey with up first from NPR, though it doesn't have to be. Welcome to 15 Easy Minutes of breaking news, clarity on international and national affairs, and a casual tone that you can take in with breakfast. Begin your day informed, ready and refreshed. Begin your day with Up first. Subscribe to Up first from NPR on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [52:23]
Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart is back at the Daily show, and he's bringing his signature wit and insight straight to your ears with the Daily Show Ears Edition podcast. Dive into John's unique take on the biggest topics in politics, entertainment, sports and more. Joined by the sharp voices of the show's correspondents and contributors, and with extended interviews and exclusive weekly headline roundups, this podcast gives you content you won't find anywhere else. Ready to laugh and stay informed? Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [53:01]
Adnan Virk
What's up everybody? AD Nan Burke here to tell you about a new podcast. It's NHL Unscripted with Virgin Demers.
- [53:06]
Colin Cowherd
Jason Demers here, And after playing 700 NHL games, I got a lot of dirty laundry to air out.
- [53:12]
Adnan Virk
I got a lot to say here too, okay? Each week we'll get together, chat with the sport that we love.
- [53:16]
Jason Demers
Tons of guests are going to join in too.
- [53:17]
Colin Cowherd
But we're not just going to be talking hockey, folks. We're talking movies. We're talking tv, food, and Adnan's favorite wrestling. It's all on le Table.
- [53:25]
Adnan Virk
Listen to NHL Unscripted with Virgin demers.
- [53:27]
Colin Cowherd
In the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.