Jason McIntyre (4:08)

Listen, Brear knows his stuff obviously I'm not going to disagree with him. I just think the Steelers are spinning big time, right? Not a mess. Colin what the jets were like maybe the biggest dumpster fire in the league last year. Firing the coach early, having no game plan, Rogers just stinking up the joint, costing them games with interceptions. Pick sixes galore. I can't find the positives but hey Pittsburgh, good luck, enjoy the wins.

Colin Cowherd (4:34)

Here's the positives. You and I are in the interesting business and the Steelers offense hasn't been interesting since about 2018 so they're interesting. Aaron is interesting. I mean I would not watch the Steelers if it was Mason Rudolph and Will Howard. I wouldn't watch the game. I mean there's no reason they'd be in the one o' clock window. They'd be getting beat in the first six weeks after about three weeks. What's the point you're going to watch with Aaron? I mean I watched the jets and the jets aren't interesting outside of Aaron. The second thing is Aaron is not playing for money. He's not playing for legacy. He's not playing for a Super bowl run. This team isn't close to a Super bowl with or without Aaron. So I think it's pretty obvious. Aaron likes to come across as a little detached. I think he's playing for the love of football. I think he loves the game. I think he likes to compete. I think he's into it. What else are you going to do? You know the contrary. I read the contract this morning. Most of its incentives. I mean he gets $500,000 if the Steelers make the playoffs. That's an outside shot.750,000 if they win in the divisional round. I don't think that's happening. A million five if they win the super bowl and Rogers takes at least half of the snaps. That's not happening. 1.5 million if he wins the MVP. That, that is not happening. So more than half of the incentives, 3 million are tied to winning the Super Bowl. So I think Aaron's playing for the love of football. I mean it's not going to help his legacy. It's not going to be a pretty year. It's an eight or nine win team max. So, you know, spin it positively. He's always like football means more to Aaron than sometimes he lets on. There's a certain joy to playing. He likes it. Good for him. Nick right now joining us live. First things first, by the way, if you ran the Steelers, would you have been patient and signed Aaron Rodgers? What would you have done if you ran the Steelers?

Nick Wright (6:26)

I would have taken a totally different tact this offseason. I wouldn't have traded for DK Metcalf, I still would have traded away George Pickens and I would have, as we are now seeing with TJ Watt wanting a new contract. I would have traded TJ Watt to get a first round pick and something else and I would have said, mason Rudolph, you're the man. And I'd have run that team out there for one year to force a hard reset and go into next year because they clearly didn't love the quarterbacks in this year's draft to go into next year's draft with multiple firsts, multiple seconds, clean up their cap their own really good pick and have a reset from there because this game they're trying to play, when you play in a division with Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow that we're going to patchwork the quarterback position. And you know, our mutual friend Kevin Clark speculated about this last week and I think he's right. That Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback 2026 has Anthony Richardson's name written all over it because that, that is a very like buy low, maybe you get something out of him that's no path forward. And much like we say when you pay a quarterback top dollar, you might then ask him to do more with less weapons wise. When Mike Tomlin is your head coach. I think it is fair to ask his defense to do more with less from a personnel perspective. So if you could get, essentially get your future quarterback by moving off TJ Watt or using your own pick next year and have one gap year, so to speak, that's what I would have done. Instead, it would appear that the Steelers are there. They built an entire off season around a goal of can we possibly maybe win a single playoff game for the first time in nine years even though it gets them absolutely no closer to super bowl number seven for one of the most prestigious franchises in the history of the league. So I think it's a mistake what they've done and I think being in the Aaron Rodgers business is a mistake. And I think punting on a long term quarterback solution is a mistake.

Colin Cowherd (8:46)

By the way, since Sam Darnold escaped the Panthers and the jets, he's obviously a talented quarterback. So you know my history on projecting quarterbacks is not terrible. Daniel Jones, Zach Wilson, and I'm pretty good, pretty, pretty good. So I'm, I'm not sitting on the fence. Shador Sanders will unseat Joe Flacco sometime in the first seven to eight weeks. First of all, the OTA reports were wildly cynical, optimistic. You couldn't, you couldn't trust any of them. They were all over the map.

Nick Wright (9:25)

Sure.

Colin Cowherd (9:25)

Give me, just give me project what this year is going to look like for Shador Sanders. Mine is week seven. The owners like Dylan Gabriel small, Flacco's old, Kenny Pickett's boring. I want Chador Sanders and the owner's going to get his way. The schedule's tough. They're going to get beat up by Burrow. Lamar Goff, Love, give me your projection. Okay.

Nick Wright (9:50)

All right. Well, first of all, speaking of Dylan Gabriel being small, not to give your producers work on the fly, but if they could somehow in this segment or in the next pull up. If you go to the Brown's official Twitter account, there is a short video of like the team, the photos, the photo shoot and Dylan Gabriel and Joe Flacco are both in it in the beginning before they take their picture. And when you say Dylan Gabriel small, I know Joe Flacco is a big guy, but he's not six, eight. And the way he towers over Dylan Gabriel makes it looks like it's bring your son to work day. I've never seen anything like it. It's startling how tiny Dylan Gabriel looks compared to Joe Flacco. So here's what I think because I was not as high On Shador coming into the draft as some people. With that said, I certainly thought he was a better prospect than Gabriel. And Kenny Pickett in my opinion is not an NFL quarterback. We have seen that repeatedly. And Joe Flacco is good for at best a really hot month, maybe a decent six weeks. But we know at this point in his career there's an expiration. So here is what I would say. Colin, if Shedeur does not start games for the Browns this year, it's a major disappointment. And I know some people might be like, guys, he was a fifth round pick. He's not supposed to. I understand that. But here is how I look at it. I don't think they're going to keep four quarterbacks. I know historically that's been done on the rare occasion. I don't think they're going to. That's just the picture of Gabriel versus Flacco and the other guys. I'm telling you. Maybe it's the scope of the video I'm talking about. It's unbelievable. He's just towering over him. But no. So I don't think they're going to keep Colin four quarterbacks. I think they are going. My guess would be Flacco and Pickett are competing to be the starter and whoever is not the starter of those two veterans, the Browns will try to trade one of them for like a conditional seventh to another team. And then they will want to roster both of their draft picks because you can't put one of them on practice squad. Another team could then just take them. So Shedeur's first objective should be can I beat out Dylan Gabriel for the backup quarterback job? Can I From now until September 1st be better than Dylan Gabriel? I think he can. And if you go into this season as the Browns backup quarterback then you are eventually going to be the Browns starting quarterback because Kenny Pickett or Joe Flacco are absolutely not going to start all 17 games. So I think your projection about around mid season is a fair one. I think they have around a midseason buy. I don't have it committed to memory but that's how I remember it. And so I think that's right. And if he doesn't then the draft slide wasn't just about fame and drama and his dad and all that. It was the real football measurables that people were concerned about.

Colin Cowherd (13:13)

I gotta throw this at you. I'm, I'm. I understand the cache a of coaching the Knicks. I like the cash cow of Cooper flag. There is no way I'm leaving Dallas and AD So my argument is the Jason kid rumors. I wouldn't have fired Tibbs, but the rumors. So Jason Kidd gets the best player on either team. AD 24 and 11. Elite defender. All the bigs for the New York Knicks have issues and Brunson's got defensive issues. And then the trajectory for Derek Lively and Cooper Flag, the sky is the limit. If Lively was one of the top rim protectors in two years, he's 21. Cooper flags 18, 19. I know the Knicks has cachet and the east is weaker. I'm sorry, I, I, I get it. But if AD Comes back, Gafford, Washington, Cooper Flag, Lively. I can't. The Knicks have a bunch of guys. Mikhail Bridges wants more money. Brunson's expensive. Cat's expensive. OG Got paid. Josh Hart. It's a roster of ceilings. I cannot leave Lively and Flag for that roster. Can you?

Nick Wright (14:21)

Oh, so yes, I can. Especially if I think if I leave, that Knicks roster might one day also have Giannis on it. Like I. So I think you're so first. I want to give you credit because I've been peddling now I've been giving you credit for it, but I've been peddling your James Dolan sphere take to everyone who's in the market. And I know you talked about it again recently, which is Dolan got distracted by the sphere, which is what allowed the Knicks to become great. And then what I added to that take was all of a sudden the sphere's up and running, fully functional, and the Knicks are the hottest show in town and James Dolan is like the kid in Toy Story who got, you know, like Buzz Lightyear was the new toy. And then he's like, you know what? I always loved Woody the most anyway. And now he's like, this is really where I want to be. Fire the coach, bring in somebody. So I do think you nailed that. But where I disagree with you is I think that the barrier to entry in the west is so much higher than in the East. Cooper Flag, the fact that he won't turn 19 until December is really good for the long term projection of what he'll be, but it's also indicative that he's probably not going to have a real impact on winning for a few years. Even Wimy, who was a far better prospect than Cooper Flag, we saw this year, in year two, prior to the blood clot, the spurs still weren't winning. I think I disagree with you that Anthony Davis is the best player on the two teams. I think Jalen Brunson at this point is a more impactful player, if for no other reason than he's so much more available than Anthony Davis. And next year, the east next year is as wide open of a conference as any conference we've ever seen. You then add to it that I think the Knicks entire plan here is Jason Kidd, who coached Giannis, who Giannis liked. If we hire Kidd, does that tip the scales to Giannis not only asking for a trade, but asking for a trade specifically to New York?

Colin Cowherd (16:37)

So.

Nick Wright (16:37)

And by the way, Jason Kidd has always been a guy with a wandering eye, as a player or as a coach. And so I, I don't think he loved the Luca trade. I think he understands that right now. Forget being a top three team in the Western Conference next year, the Dallas Mavericks are likely not a top three team in the state of Texas with the Rockets and the spurs ready to do what they are. And so I, if I were Jason kidding, I would want the Knicks, I would want the easier path to the Finals, I would want far better management than they has currently in Dallas, and I would want the chance to go get Giannis.

Colin Cowherd (17:17)

So I, I think the Pacers are a little outmatched, I think, you know, I mean, Oklahoma City's LED for 91 minutes. The Pacers, too. And I think Oklahoma City, who I liked in the series, I'm sure you did as well, a win. But it is interesting. I. When Denver won the title a couple years ago, I was like, this is the spurs with Duncan. And then it wasn't. And then when, when Tatum and the Celtics win, I'm like, four, six. I mean, they could go on forever. And then it didn't. Is that, that. I look at Oklahoma City and I'm like, well, they're going to have to pay. Like Jalen Williams and Holmgren, still hot and cold. And I love sga. But I look at it and I think if Giannis went to San Antonio, it changes it. If Giannis went to Houston, I think Dallas is good. Next year the Lakers could make something happen. I. I don't want to fall for it again. Let's say Oklahoma City wins and they win it in five. Yeah.

Nick Wright (18:09)

Yeah.

Colin Cowherd (18:09)

What is their trajectory, do you see? Because I've fallen for it twice and I'm like, slow down. They're not that good. Or are they so.

Nick Wright (18:19)

Well, no, I think they are that good. I also think that, that we are not in a dynasty era. I think that the aprons and the different things the NBA has put in to kind of prevent super teams has had that effect where even if you're the Celtics and you're homegrown, and not that they're all homegrown, but Tatum and Brown were. And you make really smart moves and all those things, your window's still relatively short because now, even if Tatum were healthy, the Celtics would be selling off pieces this offseason. I also think it is instructive that if we look at Colin, the last seven champions, none of them the following year have made it past round two. No one's come close to defending their title. And of the last six champions, the only one to make a conference finals at any point post championship was actually the Lakers when they made it a few years after they won in 2020, when they made the conference finals in 2023. Last year's champ got clipped in round two. The year before champ got clipped in round two. The year before that, the champ, the warriors, missed the playoffs and the champ the year before that, the Bucks, got clipped in round two. We are not in a dynastic era right now. And so I applaud you for not making the mistake that so many people I see making, which is the exact same people who promised me the Nuggets were about to reel off a bunch. And as of a month ago, one month ago, a lot of people thought we were in the Celtics era. And now today they're like, turns out it's not the Celtics era. In fact, it's someone else's era. It's the Thunder era. In the NBA, it always feels like the team that just won is always going to win. And in large part, that's because for a lot of NBA history, that was true. In this, the last decade, that has not been true. And so I would not yet pencil in the Thunder for multiple championships. Even though I agree with you, I think they are going. I don't see a single matchup that Indiana has the advantage in. And I don't think a single Pacer can feel good about how they've played. Colin, did you realize the Pacers haven't had a player score 20 points yet? Not one player scored 20? Well, look at 30, 20.

Colin Cowherd (20:54)

Look at. I mean, if you start looking at ant. If you start looking at what Oklahoma City's defense has done, I mean, people forget this because we don't watch the regular season like the postseason. They won by an average of 13 points. That is hard in the West. That's not in the east, that's in the West. If you look at Oklahoma City's record against the East I don't have it, as you said, committed to memory.

Nick Wright (21:17)

29 and 1. They were 29 and 1.

Colin Cowherd (21:21)

Okay, now I want to show this. And my take on the Browns quarterback is one quarterback's too old, one's too small, and then one.

Nick Wright (21:29)

Let me look at this column. Hold on. Here's the video that does not look like it's two pros. I mean that when you see Flacco walk over there, it looks like it's someone who like works for the Brown social media team. Like, again, I understand that and I'm not trying to be unfair and I think Dylan Gabriel's a really cool story, but I do not like, I don't like, like just watch him when he walks over. If they, if it reset, if it replays. I don't love super skinny NBA players and I don't like small quarterbacks. Like, that is crazy. I mean, Flacco's a big guy. He's not, he's not Brock Osweiler. And so I don't know, man. Like, I just can't imagine you watched more Oregon football than me, but I don't think you were watching Oregon this year. And like, well, that guy's probably a week five NFL starter. And I mean Flacco does him the courtesy of, you know, kind of squatting down in the picture to not tower over him in the team photo. I just should door should be able to beat him out and Shador should be able to beat out Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco. Because of his age, we know he's not going to start the whole season. I think it is a, it will be a very ominous sign to your point from the beginning if she door is not the starter at some point.

Colin Cowherd (22:54)

Yeah, no. I watch eight Oregon games a year and my take was that's a hell of a college player. And you see that all the time. I see guys all the time. I'm like, that is a great college player. And then sometimes like the Arizona State had that running back scatter boo. Yeah. Like, I looked at him and I'm like, I remember asking myself, don't fall for it. And then the more I watched him bounce off people, I'm like, okay, that's an NFL player. Ain't that a first or second round guy? He's a fourth, fifth, sixth round guy. So I mean I. Dylan, you know, that is like a six round quarterback at best.

Nick Wright (23:30)

He, you know who he reminded me of? He was now, he wasn't as good in college as the player I'm about to Mention and you know, this is a colleague and a friend. So I hope this is not taken as an insult because it's a compliment. But he reminded me of Chase Daniel where it's like, oh, okay. And Chase was a great college player. You know, Chase was in the Heisman race at one point. But you looked at him and you said, okay, because of his size. He is his ceiling on the next level is long term backup. And Chase to his credit was a great like you know, a professional backup for more than a decade. I thought, I would imagine that's how Dylan Gabriel's even family and agents looked at it. Like, hey, you do everything right and you can be on an NFL roster for a decade, maybe a spot starter and then, you know, use that as a pipeline to coaching or whatever it is. I don't think people are like, Dylan Gabriel is going to be our Kyler Murray. Like, he just, he's not that player. And so, and so I, that's, that's what I thought. So Shedor should, should have an opportunity there, a real opportunity.

Colin Cowherd (24:39)

Nick Wright. First things first. Good seeing you, my man.

Nick Wright (24:42)

See account.

Colin Cowherd (24:44)

Yeah. You know, it's funny. When I was young, growing up in the 70s, there was a quarterback out of Georgia named Fran Tarken who ran around. He was a smaller quarterback. He was like 5, 11, 6 foot tall. Quarterbacks were just in the 70s and 80s. They were big. They were 6, 2, 6 3, 6, 4, 6, 5. And I can remember some quarterbacks getting drafted big that failed. Dan McGuire, 6, 5, 6, 7. They didn't all work. Brock Osweiler. But I can remember the first small quarterback I noticed was Fran Tarkin. And then Russell Wilson comes in and has success. And I thought Russell Wilson got guys like Johnny Manziel drafted. But size matters at quarterbacks. Not picking on anybody. It just, it does matter. And so Shador Sanders and I made this comment a year ago. Is bigger in person than you think. I sometimes I'll watch video of like quarterbacks when they're at the combine or they're at like the Senior bowl and they're hanging around normal sized people like you and me. Shador Sanders is. They list them at six two. He's a big six two, you know, big shoulders, big head. He's an NFL. I mean Aaron, I'll give you an example about that. Aaron Rodgers is six, one and a half. Aaron Rodgers is my height. I've never once thought he was a small quarterback. He weighs 32 pounds to 35 pounds more than me. We're the same height and I, I don't think Aaron looks heavy, but big butt, big shoulders, you know, big head. Aaron's a pro athlete and so Mahomes is six one and a half. I've never even thought about his height. Well two is six feet tall they tell me and that's all I can stare at. So a lot of Bryce Young to me feels small. So it's nothing against the guy but there, there are some guys, I mean Zach Wilson to me they say he's six one and a half, six two. He looks small. Mahomes is six one and a half. I've never even thought about his height. So you know, I just think shedeur it's kind of pick on Shadour Sanders time in the NFL. I think he's pretty good. We take a break. 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Check them out for free@wasabi.com Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage Proud partner of the Volume podcast network Urban Meyer. Topping next hour, we all want to feel completely safe. Get 50 off your new Simply Safe system. Go To Simply Safe Colin.com There is no Safe like Simply Safe. And here's J. Mac with the news.

Nick Wright (31:03)

No no no no.

Jason McIntyre (31:04)

Heard on the news.

Colin Cowherd (31:06)

This is the herd line news.

Jason McIntyre (31:08)

All right Kyle, let's bust right into it. So Draymond Green has spoke. Yeah, it's interesting. You had a good line. We could use Draymond Green in the NBA Finals. A character like him. Well, he's now chiming in on the NBA Finals and had kind of a hot take that Alex Caruso is the third best player, third most important on OKC or okc. Take a listen.

Colin Cowherd (31:29)

When I look at this OKC team.

Jason McIntyre (31:32)

I actually think the third most important player is Alex Caruso.

Colin Cowherd (31:36)

I think Caruso is so important to what they do.

Jason McIntyre (31:39)

And I feel like you never game plan for him.

Colin Cowherd (31:42)

And so because you don't game plan.

Jason McIntyre (31:44)

For him, he coming to these finals and he. He go crazy. But the reality is he's a champion, so he actually knows what to expect.

Colin Cowherd (31:53)

Yeah, Caruso's always been a little undervalued. I think smart people in the league, I think they kind of stole him from Chicago. I think he's a good player.

Jason McIntyre (31:59)

Yeah. Chicago management needs. Needs a little J and C consulting. I mean, how do you give away Alex Caruso for. For Josh Giddy? Caruso has been instrumental. Look at the numbers here in the playoffs. He's been tremendous. Remember, he guarded Jokic in. Was it game seven, I believe.

Colin Cowherd (32:14)

Yeah.

Jason McIntyre (32:14)

Game seven kind of messed with Jokic. I will say, as a guy who fashions himself a defender, Caruso gets away with murder. I mean, he is. He's all over guys in their jerseys, and somehow it's really never called. I'll say this, Colin, I do believe game three is the series. If OKC wins, it's over. I do think, and I'm writing it up for Fox Sports, I think there's a case for Indiana winning game three. By the way, it's been over six months since the Pacers have lost back to back inks. This is a. This is a great spot for them coming home fired up. You know, the crowd's gonna be juiced up. Is it too early for a prediction? Game is tomorrow?

Colin Cowherd (32:53)

Yeah, I mean, I. I guess my problem with Indiana is that they. I mean, Milwaukee couldn't take them out of their pace. Cleveland couldn't. The Knicks couldn't. They. They could not. Knicks did for about a game. And Oklahoma City has taken Halliburton and them out of their rhythm. And so. And this is what great defenses do. I mean, remember Peyton Manning faced the Seahawks. I was saying the other day that this OKC reminds me a little of the Seahawks, where they've got, you know, they've got an offensive star, but that team. I remember when Brady was competing and beat, eventually beat the Seahawks in the Super Bowl. And Brady talked about the game plans to face the Seahawks defense. He goes when we catch the ball, you only move forward that Belichick said. You don't go sideline to sideline. A they're faster than us and B they'll strip us of the football, create turnovers. This defense is the kind of defense that it is taking a great fast paced offense out of its rhythm. Milwaukee, Cleveland, Knicks could not do that. And Oklahoma said he's done it in back to back games. That tells me they have personnel advantages.

Jason McIntyre (33:55)

Yeah, I think you had the stat. The Pacers have led for like three, two or three minutes in the series so far. That's not great. Not great. All right, let's move to the NFL Colin, where the Raiders, the irrelevant Raiders have a lot of promise this season. Finally they got old guy Pete Carroll at head coach. You got you know, veteran Geno Spider Smith and of course Ashton Genty. So the offense will be better. They play in the toughest division of football. But Pete Carroll believes Vegas is ready to compete right away.

Colin Cowherd (34:24)

It's warms my heart to see that we're having fun and we're working really hard and guys are, you can tell that they can sense that there's something changing and so a lot of expectations for us we're going to, you know, we're going for it. We're not holding back. We're not looking for any, give us some grace period or any of that kind of stuff. That's not, that's not how going about this. You know we want to go get it right now. And I think the players feel that sense of urgency and they're showing it by the way they practice. I think this one of the single greatest strengths of the NFL, it is the league of Hope is that you can watch what Denver did. Denver was a lifeless franchise. Peyton Bo, Nick's playoff team in the Mahomes division, in the Harbaugh division, in the Herbert division, in the Andy Reid division and you look at what Washington did did a laughing stock for a decade. Only the jets can't dig themselves out of a hole. The reality is this league is built on Houston being awful and a playoff team in a year. I, I said this last year about Minnesota. If Minnesota was picked for fourth, I said they'll be the best fourth place team ever. The Raiders if they finish fourth and I think they will will be as good a fourth place team. I think it speaks well to the NFL. The teams now at the Bottom of some of these divisions, the Raiders had Kansas City beat twice last year and no team in the league has upgraded their coaching staff more than the Raiders. And you could argue their quarterback position. I'm not calling it. If it wasn't for the fact that Harbaugh, Andy Reid and Sean Payton are in the division, I would have no problem saying in any other division, Raiders make the playoffs. I really think they're close.

Jason McIntyre (35:59)

I think some of that last year Chiefs were big favorites in both those games. Games is you go in, you're playing the Raiders. They stink. They don't know their quarterback situation and they kind of let their guard down and the Raiders play them tough. But I did look at the schedule, Colin, for the Raiders and you can have all the excitement you want right out of the gate. You cross country trips to New England. And Vrabel, he's going to have them. Game plan, Drake May stepping up. Then you face the Chargers. It is at home, but the Chargers, they're better. Then you've got to go back across the country to face Washington and Jaden Daniels. Then you're back home for your boy Caleb and Ben Johnson. Then there's a bit of a respite. And that game at Kansas City before the bye week is big. If they can somehow get to the bye at. Is 3 and 4 doable if we give them the wins over the Colts and Titans?

Colin Cowherd (36:44)

Oh, first of all, Drake May, we don't know what New England is. We know Chargers.

Jason McIntyre (36:50)

New England is a playoff team.

Colin Cowherd (36:51)

It's a rival. Yeah, that doesn't mean they're going to win their opener. I mean, it's a whole new staff. It's a whole new roster. There's no roster in the NFL that has more changes than the Patriots. They're not going to be great in September. The Chargers is a rivalry division game. Washington's a loss. But we don't know what the Bears, Indian, Tennessee are. And Kansas City I have as a wild card team. Then out of the buy, I get Jacksonville.

Jason McIntyre (37:18)

Wait, wait, wait.

Colin Cowherd (37:18)

Dallas, Cleveland, that is a play. That is not a daunting schedule at all. Real.

Jason McIntyre (37:24)

Okay. All right. Somebody's a Raiders fan around here. Oh, my God. I was getting worried. Holy cows. So do you have anyone in the division missing the playoffs? Colin?

Colin Cowherd (37:33)

Yeah, the Raiders. But if you're trying to sell me, I look at that and I see at Washington and at Philly, those are. Ls every other game on that schedule, I'm sorry, but C, Denver at the Chargers, those are winnable division games.

Jason McIntyre (37:47)

Somebody on the Internet's going to clip this off and throw it at you when they're two and nine. Final story. Colin is let's go to those New England Patriots who you're bullish on, but weirdly, not in week one. It sounds like Drake may starting to find his groove in the Josh McDaniels offense. May talk to the media about how things are going so far.

Colin Cowherd (38:06)

I think it's been good.

Nick Wright (38:07)

I think I'm starting to kind of.

Colin Cowherd (38:09)

You know, really kind of find a. Find a stride. Kind of, kind of bummed out we're about to leave. But no, it's fun. Anytime we're going against a great defense. They got good players, two great corners this year is, you know, same approach. You got new guys in here, new staff. Kind of got to keep getting to know everybody, kind of, you know, show my work ethic and then kind of.

Nick Wright (38:25)

From there as the season comes around.

Colin Cowherd (38:26)

Try to take the next step of leadership and leading the offense and hopefully leading this football team. Colin, they'll be good eventually.

Jason McIntyre (38:35)

I, I would be the biggest Drake May fan if he were on any team other than New England. You know, I hate the Patriots and May, I'm just telling you, remember after the draft I was like, look, listen, Drake May, I would take him over Jaden McD or Jaden Daniels and that looks stupid for a minute. Then May comes on, is like, oh, he's kind of good. Would not shock me if May, like you said, got the Patriots to the playoffs. He's very good, man. You know, this guy's family, you know, North Carolina. He has a brother who played hoops. Like this guy is a football lifer.

Colin Cowherd (39:06)

His comp with Justin Herbert I thought was a really accurate comp. He's a good player. I think he's going to be really good. I really do. I think the NFL last year we may that draft that had Drake, May and Jaden and Caleb and Bo Nix and Michael penix that if J.J. mcCarthy works to some level, we could have a 6 for 6 draft with quarterbacks.

Jason McIntyre (39:29)

Penix is working. They gotta play three games.

Colin Cowherd (39:32)

Panick's gonna be fun. Yeah. J. Macle the news. Well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by. The Herd lie news. Oh, interesting. There's some Shedeur Sanders impressive practice video making the rounds and we'll show you that next. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific. Hey, we're Covino and Rich, Fox Sports radio every day 5 to 7pm Eastern. But here's the thing. We never have enough time to get to everything we want to get to. And that's why we have a brand new podcast called Over Promised. You see, we're having so much fun in our two hour show. We never get to everything honestly, because this guy is over promising things we never have time for. Yeah, you blubber lips blaming me. Well you know what? It's called Over Promise. You should be good at it because you've been over promising women for years. Well, it's a Covino and Rich after show and we want you to be a part of it. We're going to be talking sports, of course, but we're also gonna talk life and relationships. And if Rich and I are arguing about something or we didn't have enough time, it will continue on our after show called Over Promised. Well, if you don't get enough Covino and Rich, make sure you check out Over Promised and also uncensored by the way, so maybe we'll go at it even a little harder. It's gonna be the best after show podcast of all time. There you go, overpromising. And remember, you could see it on YouTube, but definitely join us. Listen to Over Promised with Covino and rich on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Time for a Sofa Upgrade Introducing Anabe Sofas where designer style meets budget friendly prices. Anabe brings you the ultimate in furniture innovation with a modular design that allows you to rearrange your space effortlessly. Perfect for both small and large spaces, Anabe is the only machine washable sofa inside and out. 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Jason McIntyre (44:53)

Podcast Network, the road to 2026 kicks off now with the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Team USA takes on the best in North America, ready to prove they belong in the world's biggest stage. The journey starts with a matchup against Trinidad and tobago Sunday at 5:30 Eastern, only on Fox.

Colin Cowherd (45:13)

For the record, we've lost three straight friendlies. We place, I think it's Switzerland in one more friendly. Alexi Lawless is on our show tomorrow. I get so worked up about this because I keep being told every time the United States men's national team loses, it's the coach. So we go across the pond, we hire a great coach, we're on a three game skid. Swiss next, last friendly, then it's the Gold Cup. I think it's going to be fascinating. Apparently, Christian Pulisic's on load management, so he's not playing. We'll see. Okay, so according to Mary Kay Cabot, who I trust covers the Cleveland Browns, Dylan Gabriel got the first set of 11 on elevens. Working with the first team offense, first team defense. Shador Sanders worked with the second team offense and against the second team defense. So we have a piece of video from Shadour Sanders. Let's roll the tape on this. I am told it looks a little like Johnny Unitis meets Joe Montana. Look at that deep ball, my lord. In a heavy, gusty wind, it pierces the Ohio weather. Here's another one over the middle. You know, you don't see any Dylan Gabriel video. You're just seeing lots of Shador. Look at that second team scrub. Wide receiver barely gets open and he places that cookie right in the jar. J. Mac, what do you got to say for yourself? I'm just saying, you know, I had.

Jason McIntyre (46:43)

To look up that cornerback. It turns out he works at Chipotle and he's trying to make the Browns. So that's who Shador Sanders is going to be. Secondary timeout.

Colin Cowherd (46:51)

Are these. Now, my staff just sent these numbers. Are those today's? Stop. Okay, listen to this. Okay, listen to this. So take Flacco out. He didn't. He didn't play. Dylan Gabriel went 7 of 18. Kenny Pickett went 6 of 10, which sums up his career. Shador Sanders, 10 of 12, two touchdowns, no picks. He keeps putting these numbers up at OTA and mandatory camp. I'm sorry, but he's exactly what he was in college. Accurate. Shador Sanders, 10 of 12, two touchdown. Now, last week when he was good, it was like, well, it's OTAs. I get it, I get it. But he was accurate. So here The Browns quarterbacks minicamp today. Who's got the best numbers again? Shador Sanders.

Jason McIntyre (47:39)

You need the context that Shador was playing against backups and second stringers and Dylan Gabriel's with the ones. And I just need to remind people I was pro Shador before the draft, and then the NFL basically rejected him, all of the NFL, and he fell to the fifth round. And because of that, that's why I'm like, I don't think he's a starter. I don't dislike Shador, Colin. But you have to admit the entire NFL passed on him for a reason.

Colin Cowherd (48:05)

Okay, well, the entire NFL first round passed on Jalen hurts. I. They make mistakes. There are guys that have been drafted. I mean, I wouldn't get too caught up on will they make mistakes. There was his dad's super bowl tour saying, we're not playing for these teams, directed right at the teams that we're going to draft him and owners in the NFL. It's an old boys club. They don't want to hear that you don't want to play for their team. So there were people that just said, I mean, when. When Deion Sanders during Super bowl week went on very popular shows and the message was, there are teams he will not play for. He wasn't talking about the Bills, Ravens and Chiefs and Eagles. He was talking about the Saints and the Giants and the owners that would draft him. That's why. Did you notice this after the super bowl when Deion, you know, had his sort of parade through talk shows? Did you notice after that super bowl week, media week, the Jackson dart is the apple of the New York Giants eye started. Why they're like, because probably ownership said, we're not interested. We're not taking him. And also there's the report that he went, you know, Shador went to the Giants, wasn't great on the board. So my take is I think it got personal. I think his dad was involved. I think there was a lot of stuff with Shador that turned people off and owners started getting involved in decision making. All I'm saying is if you look at these OTA and minicamp numbers, Dylan Gabriel's inaccurate. Kenny Pickett is Kenny Pickett. Flacco is not doing much because it's his job to lose. And Shadore Sanders continues to have the best numbers. Here's Albert Brer on the Browns quarterback race. It's really hard when you look at the early part of their schedule, unless they're a lot better than they were last year, for them to be Coming out of that in a real position of strength. And so I do think Joe Flacco is likely going to be the week one starter. Joe Flacco has been great in the building. He's been great for that quarterback room. He's been great for the young quarterbacks. I think you'll hear Shador and Dylan Gabriel talk about him that way when the media talks to them this week. So I think Joe is going to get a shot. And I think, you know, if Joe looks good in July and August, you know, then you'll see the team behind him. And then you get to September and his ability to hold onto that job won't just be about his own play. It'll be about where the team is. The Browns probably fairly have the weakest receiving core in the league. So Shador is working with their second team receivers. Their first team receivers are the weakest unit in the league. I mean, I don't think that's taking a shot. It's a. It's a bad receiving unit. Shador is getting the second. He's getting the leftovers. And he goes 10 for 12.

Jason McIntyre (50:58)

All right, so I have a comp for you, Colin. Are you ready? It was a gentleman named Lonzo Ball, who was an acclaimed college basketball player for a minute. Then he goes to the draft. His dad was piping up. Do you remember? I had to look this up in summer league with the Lakers. Lonzo Ball had a game where he had 36, 11 and eight against the Sixers.

Colin Cowherd (51:18)

Oh, he's the future of the NBA.

Jason McIntyre (51:20)

Lonzo Ball's gonna crush it. And he came out and was like, you know, squashed like a bug as a rookie and he clearly could not play. I wonder if there's a parallel with this OTA nonsense where Shadors cooking and Lonzo Ball in summer.

Colin Cowherd (51:33)

Okay, all time most accurate college quarterback was Shador Sanders with a 74 completion rate. Shador's total stats from OTAs in today's minicamp. 26 of 35, 74% completion rate, eight touchdowns, one pick. He is exactly as a pro OTN minicamp. What? He was the college player. 26 of 35, eight touchdowns, one pick. And it's not getting reps with the first team. Okay, all I'm saying is you can keep telling me something. I keep getting this video with these lasers piercing the air in Ohio, that muggy, difficult air to throw in. All I see is like. It's like watching the movie Star wars, just laser summer is here and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. Now what do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered. A 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. Looking to transform your business through better HR and payroll? Meet PayCor, a paychecks company. The powerhouse solution that empowers leaders to drive results. From recruiting and development to payroll and analytics, paycor connects you with the people, data and expertise you need to succeed. Their innovative platform helps you make smarter decisions about your most valuable asset, your people. Are you ready to become a Better Leader? Visit paycor.com leaders to learn more. That's paycor.com leaders BMW didn't just design an electric SUV every detail of the BMW IX was crafted with passion and precision. With a BMW ix, you'll experience unmatched power, utility, spaciousness, versatility. My favorite feature Cloud based navigation. Monitors charge levels, locates nearby charging stations so I can drive electric with the ultimate ease. BMW lets performance do the talking and the scouting report is in. Experience the all electric BMW IX and witness dedication in every detail. The following heartwarming yet informative scene is brought to you by Trust and Will Son. Your grandpa and I used to work on this car together and when I'm gone, I want you to have it.

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Nick Wright (54:43)

Com.

Colin Cowherd (54:43)

This is an iHeart podcast.