Hour 3 - Chris Finch

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Episode: Hour 3 - Chris Finch (May 5, 2025)

The Herd with Colin Cowherd delves deep into the current landscape of professional sports, offering insightful analysis and engaging discussions with guest Chris Finch, head coach of the Golden State Warriors. This episode navigates through the intricacies of the NBA playoffs, strategic coaching decisions, player performances, and transitions into the NFL’s evolving dynamics. Below is a comprehensive summary of the episode's key segments.

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1. NBA Playoffs Breakdown

Warriors vs. Lakers Series Review

The episode kicks off with an in-depth analysis of the recent NBA series between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers. Chris Finch provides a critical assessment of the Warriors' performance, highlighting their ability to outplay and outcoach the Lakers despite facing an older, more seasoned opponent.

• Chris Finch: “They not only beat the Lakers, they pushed them around, out coached them, out played them, had so much more dexterity offensively.” (03:04)

Defensive Philosophy and Physicality

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the Warriors' defensive strategies, particularly against the physically imposing Houston team. Finch emphasizes the different defensive philosophies and how maintaining a physical yet controlled approach can disrupt high-functioning offenses like the Warriors'.

• Chris Finch: “We have a different defensive philosophy. Of course, there's always things you can learn when you watch a series.” (04:36)

• Finch: “You've got to try to be disruptive and slow them down.” (04:36)

Player Evaluations and Strategies

The conversation shifts to player performance, focusing on Julius Randle’s evolution and the challenges of defending versatile players like Steph Curry. Finch praises Randle’s adaptability and his crucial role in the playoffs, while also dissecting the complexities of guarding elite talents.

• Chris Finch: “He's found his way with this offense and his touches.” (08:17)

• Finch: “Steph does all of that, and he does it with the constant energy and motion.” (11:28)

Notable Quotes:

• Finch: “Everything at one roof. Rocket.com the new home for all things home ownership.” (00:00) – While part of an advertisement, it sets the seamless integration theme relevant to sports team dynamics.

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2. Strategic Coaching Decisions

Managing Physicality in Playoffs

Finch and Cowherd dive into the balance between embracing physical play and maintaining control to prevent games from spiraling out of hand. The discussion highlights the fine line coaches must walk to harness aggression without crossing into detrimental behavior.

• Finch: “It didn't feel like, hey, we're just going to allow you to be more physical. While that was certainly going on, what it felt like is that they just decided to not call some amount of foul.” (05:49)

• Chris Finch: “If you don't pay attention to Steph Curry, he's in another continent.” (10:37)

Adjustments and Game Planning

The episode explores how Finch adjusted the Warriors' game plan in response to opponents’ strategies, particularly after Game Four's pivotal moments. Finch details the importance of flexibility and leveraging team strengths to navigate through the playoffs.

• Finch: “We need to be highly flexible with the things we're going to ask you to do through the regular season.” (06:36)

• Chris Finch: “It's okay to admit that this league's a fit league with very few exceptions. When did you know?” (06:00)

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3. NFL Insights and Strategies

Shedeur Sanders and the New York Giants Controversy

Transitioning to the NFL, Finch discusses the recent developments involving Shedeur Sanders and the New York Giants. The conversation touches on the implications of a mock playbook with intentional errors and Sanders’ reaction, questioning his readiness and adaptability for the Giants’ quarterback role.

• Chris Finch: “It's the equivalent of what a teacher giving a test with spelling errors and you got to catch them.” (18:29)

• Finch: “Shador Sanders, you're like, listen, this kid's lived a pretty comfortable life. Let's make him a little uncomfortable and see if he catches it.” (21:05)

Player Performance and Team Dynamics

The discussion further delves into how player backgrounds and experiences influence their performance under pressure, emphasizing the importance of resilience and adaptability in high-stakes environments like the NFL.

• Chris Finch: “The NFL quarterback is all about discomfort. Hell, practice is hard in the NFL.” (21:32)

• Finch: “If you didn't catch it and then react playing, that is a deal breaker for that position.” (21:32)

Matt Stafford’s Contract and Rams’ Strategy

Finch examines the Los Angeles Rams' recent contract finalization with quarterback Matt Stafford, analyzing its implications for the team's future and the broader NFL landscape. The conversation assesses how strategic financial decisions can bolster team performance and championship aspirations.

• Chris Finch: “44 million to Matt Stafford. That's a team friendly deal.” (24:37)

• Finch: “Matt, let's get you another ring.” (30:44)

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4. WNBA Spotlight: Caitlin Clark’s Rise

Caitlin Clark’s Dominant Performance

Shifting focus to the WNBA, the episode spotlights Caitlin Clark’s impressive performance in a preseason game for the Indiana Fever. Clark’s ability to score and lead her team underscores her growing influence in the league.

• Caitlin Clark: “I have a million feet that want to meet.” (28:07)

• Finch: “Star ratings this year. Watch them beat other major sports.” (28:15)

Fan Engagement and Marketability

Clark’s increasing popularity is highlighted through her marketability and the overwhelming fan support, evidenced by sold-out tickets and high demand for her autograph, drawing parallels to iconic figures like Michael Jordan.

• Chris Finch: “The tickets for this sold out in 24 minutes. The average price was $440.” (28:07)

• Finch: “Caitlin Clark is gonna have a million people that want to meet.” (28:53)

Notable Insights:

• Finch: “Indiana Fever are the second-best odds to win the title.” (27:47)

• Caitlin Clark: “Once you get in the flow of it, you knock some rust off and it'll be the same.” (27:17)

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5. Additional Sports Topics and Predictions

Upcoming NFL Schedule Release

Finch shares his anticipation for the upcoming NFL schedule release, outlining his approach to making draft predictions post-coaching hires and free agency moves. He emphasizes the importance of adapting strategies based on new team dynamics and player acquisitions.

• Chris Finch: “I didn't love, I got to tell you, a team that I'm just struggling with is the 49ers.” (36:13)

• Finch: “The other thing is, I've got Dak Prescott in Dallas off a second surgery.” (36:45)

Playoff Predictions and Team Performance

The episode concludes with Finch's bold predictions for the upcoming NFL season, including potential Super Bowl contenders and the roles key players will play in their respective teams' successes.

• Chris Finch: “I think the year of the big brands bottoming out.” (41:03)

• Finch: “You don't have to play here. Pittsburgh's got an opening. This is a Super Bowl team. Let's all do this together.” (30:53)

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Conclusion

Hour 3 of The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers a rich tapestry of sports analysis, blending NBA playoffs insights with strategic NFL discussions and highlighting rising stars in the WNBA. Chris Finch’s expertise provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of team dynamics, player performances, and the ever-evolving strategies that shape professional sports today.

Timestamps Reference:

• 00:00 – Introductory Advertisement
• 03:04 – Introduction of Chris Finch and Warriors-Lakers Series
• 04:36 – Defensive Philosophy Discussion
• 05:49 – Managing Physicality in Playoffs
• 06:36 – Game Planning and Player Utilization
• 08:17 – Julius Randle’s Evolution
• 10:37 – Challenges in Defending Steph Curry
• 11:28 – Steph Curry’s Impact Analysis
• 18:29 – Shedeur Sanders and Giants Controversy
• 21:05 – NFL Quarterback Evaluations
• 21:32 – Matt Stafford’s Contract Insights
• 24:37 – Matt Stafford’s Deal with the Rams
• 27:17 – Caitlin Clark’s WNBA Performance
• 28:07 – Fan Demand for Caitlin Clark
• 28:15 – WNBA Ratings and Marketability
• 36:13 – NFL Schedule Release Anticipation
• 36:45 – NFL Player Evaluations
• 41:03 – NFL Playoff Predictions
• 41:07 – Green Bay and Detroit Steelers Discussion
• 41:32 – Draft Strategies and Team Comparisons
• 43:34 – Closing Remarks and Future Predictions

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Note: Advertisements and non-content sections were excluded from this summary to focus on the core discussions and insights provided by Colin Cowherd and Chris Finch.

Transcript

[Colin Cowherd]

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[Chris Finch]

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[Unknown]

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[Chris Finch]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[Unknown]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[Unknown]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[Chris Finch]

Be sure to catch us live every.

[Colin Cowherd]

Weekday on Fox Sports radio at noon to 3 Eastern 9am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the [e-mail] or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR.

[Unknown]

Now let's get this party started.

You're listening to Fox Sports Radio.

[Chris Finch]

They not only beat the Lakers, they pushed them around, out coached them, out played them, had so much more dexterity offensively. A very impressive series and now a totally different team, although they are a little long in the tooth. But it's the warriors and Chris Finch, the head coach, is now joining us. So it's weird because I once again feel like the warriors are going to play a bigger, deeper team. The difference is your bigs are old guys that have been around the block and Houston is a much younger team and I think they took advantage of their youth. How much do you even take from that Houston Warrior series? I mean, do you look at it and go, we're just a different team?

[Unknown]

Yeah, I think, I think we start there. I do think we just, we are a different team. We have a different defensive philosophy. Of course, there's always things you can learn when you watch a series. And that series was very intriguing, very fascinating to watch. I mean, it was extremely physical. I thought at the times it bordered on out of control. But you know, given the amount of physicality that they're allowing in the playoffs, I think you can see the impact that it does have on a high functioning offense like Golden State. You know, you know, you're going to have to be physical with them. You got to try to be disruptive and slow them down. But you know, every team is built differently and every team has to play to their strengths. And you know what, what Houston was able to do may not be exactly what we're able to accomplish at a high level.

[Chris Finch]

So you have, you know, voice concerns. You and Steve Kerr have both said, yes, this thing's out of control, it's physical. Yet, yet that physicality was very disruptive to the Lakers. So as a coach, what do you look at and say to yourself, Chris, okay, that's, that's out of control? Because J. Mac and I argue about this all the time. I love physical basketball. He's a finesse guy over there jacking up threes. What do you look at and go, okay, refs, timeout. Guys, get over here. That can't go.

[Unknown]

Yeah, I think, I think, to be, to be clear, Colin, I think every coach in the NBA would, you know, welcomes in physicality, actually embraces it. I think we all love physical basketball. I don't think that's what Steve or I are saying. Well, I think what we're saying is, like, it seems at times out of context. And in the first round of games, it seemed out of context where it was actually affecting the basketball that was able to be played. It didn't feel like, hey, we're just going to allow you to be more physical. While that was certainly going on, what it felt like is that they just decided to not call some amount of foul.

[Chris Finch]

Right, right.

[Unknown]

And. And that's different. You know, that is what leaves players and coaches frustrated. That's what leads to kind of things getting slightly out of control, if not completely out of control.

[Chris Finch]

So I said on the air, I theorized, I said, when J.J. redick, with an older LeBron and Luca and Austin Reeves, he was struggling when he decided to play his starters. Whether you agree with it or not, I said, I bet you Finch and his staff said, hey, let's just go bigger. We're going to go bigger with Rudy Gobert did that game and his decision. I mean, this whole series is all, you guys are changing things, but it did feel like you came in with even a different game plan the next game after that Game four decision. Was that part of it?

[Unknown]

Well, we've always leaned into being a big team, and when you have, you know, historically, we've had, you know, Karl Anthony Towns, or you have Rudy Gobert or you have Julius Randle and Nas Reed, sixth man of the year, like, these are some of your best players, and, you know, you're not just going to take them off the floor because somebody goes small. You have to find a way to maximize who you are and lean into those strengths. Yeah, there's going to be times where you get a little bit exposed for it, but we've preached to Rudy ever since he got here that, you know, we need to be highly flexible with the things we're going to ask you to do through the regular season. So when it comes to the playoffs, you know, you can't be marginalized by teams just going small. And, you know, in that series, you know, Rudy just stayed patient when they made some adjustments that allowed him to have the big Game four. And, you know, he. He did a great job of just staying focused and calm and remaining a part of that series, even though at times, you know, he wasn't as impactful as he certainly was in that Game five.

[Chris Finch]

So when you made the Julius Randall move, I didn't love it. I said, he's not a Great postseason player. I don't know if he fits. And then I didn't even like it when I watched it early in the year, I'm like, I'm not sure if this works. And then all of a sudden I watch him late in the year and I watch him against the Lakers, I'm like, who's this? When did you know? And it's okay to admit that this league's a fit league with very few exceptions. When did you know? Okay, this is going to work. He's found his way with this offense and his touches.

[Unknown]

Yeah, we started to figure it out in late, in mid to late December. You know, that's when I started to see what we could possibly become, particularly with Julius. And to be fair to Julius, at times we've asked him to do different things and he's done that. It just, it may not have been the right thing. You know, we, I told him early on, we need you to score, score, score. I thought that's what we were going to need. And what we really needed was just more of his all around game, his playmaking and his scoring. But when he started to kind of play make first teammates and be a point forward for us, I always point to a game in December we played at, at Madison Square Garden, we played the Knicks. It was as a return home game. You can imagine how emotionally charged that's going to be for him. Personally, I think he took three or four shots, Colin, but he just played an incredible all around game, whether it be defense, rebounding, creating pace, creating first teammates with the pass, just doing all the little things. And to me that was the moment. And I'll always point to that as kind of our team growing up and growing up around Julius and Julius realizing like this is what we need to win. We won that night, we won on Christmas Day which was another big game for us and we had been starting to play a little bit better. And he had a monster game on Christmas day, both scoring and creating. So it's been an evolution. All these things always are. It's not always the player's fault. I was extremely happy and proud that he played so well in the, in the Lakers series because you know, he has had some unfair criticism of his playoff performances. You know, those early Knicks teams. He didn't have a lot of help, let's say. So it's easy to game plan a guy out if he's really the only and dominant scorer. So it gets hard for some of those guys, guys at some point in time. So I know he was Focused on having a great playoffs. He did so far. He's got off to a really good start, and we just love him. We love what he's brought here with our. With his toughness, his physicality. He gave us a perfect LeBron matchup in a lot of ways, which is what we needed. So he was huge.

[Chris Finch]

So you guys didn't play the warriors very well. You played them before the Jimmy Butler trade. But I remember one game in particular that, you know, Curry's running around crazy, and sometimes Ant or whoever's guarding him just get lost. He's running through screens, he's running all over the floor. And some of your guys are just like, if you don't pay attention to Steph Curry, he's in another continent. He's on the other side of the floor. How much? What do you do? Like Houston said, okay, we're going to double the minute, get over half court. But then Buddy heals wide open. And Buddy can shoot, by the way. Now Pods now is shooting with more confidence than he was 35, 40 games ago. So, I mean, what do you do? What do you do with Curry? Like, you just chase him all over the floor? Or is there a reality that he's going to get his and he's going to. You just can't chase him nonstop.

[Unknown]

Well, first of all, you know, all credit to Houston. They did one of the best jobs I've seen at actually trying to take and succeed in some instances and games, taking him, you know, kind of out of the game, and that's very hard to do with any great player. Great players impact the game through a multitude of ways. It's not just their scoring, but it's also their gravity, their playmaking.

[Chris Finch]

Right.

[Unknown]

You know, their ability to distort your defense and just force you to make mistakes that you wouldn't normally make. I think, you know, Steph does all of that, and he does it with the constant energy and motion that you just referred to. It's not really, you know, you know, when you're guarding Steph that you have to be on high alert and you know that you got to put the work in. That's just one third of the battle. The other two third is just the continual nature, the locking in that, you know, as he moves around the floor and somebody else might now have to pick him up, they've got to now assume that level of focus and concentration, and that's not where we've been at our best. And, you know, you know, you also know with him, you're going to have to live with some tough shots. He's, you know, he's an incredible player. He's going to make tough shots and you can't be defeated mentally by that. You got to come back down the next time and be able to chase him all over the place again.

[Chris Finch]

Be sure to catch live editions of.

[Unknown]

The Herd weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific.

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[Chris Finch]

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[Unknown]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[Chris Finch]

That's it.

[Colin Cowherd]

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[Unknown]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[Chris Finch]

Chris Finch series starts tomorrow. Held the Lakers under 100 points in three of five games. Pushed him around. Good luck pushing Draymond Green around. He is a handful. Chris is always great seeing you.

[Unknown]

Yeah, thanks for having me on. Appreciate it.

[Chris Finch]

You bet. Tea Wolves are a fun story. Yeah, they played but when they played Jimmy Butler wasn't there. So it's a totally different warrior team. Kaminga is now done post will play more Butler's obviously there Pods is a better player than he was earlier in the year, but Julius Randle now is a different player than he was earlier in the year. So I mean you know what people always talk about. Nobody watches NBA regular season basketball.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, it's.

[Chris Finch]

I mean baseball, hockey, college basketball, people watch big events in this country. But you know, you can watch a lot of regular season basketball. Playoff basketball is just different. The and when you play the same team over and over and over, guys know what Austin Reaves can and can't do and they just. You, you have a limited repertoire of what you can do. Whereas a guy like Curry has fundamentally so many things he can do that you can't stop him. So when you kind of a one or a two dimensional player and you don't have a ton of athletic gifts, I think you're easier to defend. That's why Westbrook can flourish in the postseason because he does so many things and LeBron flourishes in the postseason. And by the way, Draymond Green can flourish in the postseason. He can defend, he can be a catalyst, he can be a connected passer, he can shoot an occasional three. He can be a bully. And when you're playing the same guys over and over, you got to have a lot of cards in the deck. You got to be able to do a lot. That's why Jokic is such a great playoff player. He can beat you so many different ways. J. Mack with the news.

[Unknown]

No, no, turn on the news. This is the Herd line news.

All right, let's get started with Shadour Sanders Collins. So, you know, he had met with the New York Giants and according to Albert Breer, Shedeur was given a mock playbook install with errors. On purpose.

Sure.

Shedeur did not catch them and got called out on it. According to the New York Post, Shedeur and the Giants were unhappy. Shedeur came out of the meeting pissed. And Brian Dable didn't appreciate Shedeur's reaction. Now, this is interesting. This is the equivalent of what a teacher giving a test with spelling errors and you got to catch them.

[Chris Finch]

No, because a teacher, you're not an employee or a student. He's not an employee of the New York Giants.

[Unknown]

Well, he's angling to be an employee.

[Chris Finch]

Interviewing you for a job. And I'm like, I'm going to see if this guy pays attention. And I said, you know, my favorite player is Omaron St. Brown of the Bears. And you'd go packers or you'd go Lions.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Chris Finch]

And I'd throw it out there just to test you. I'd say, man, I tell you that I love Amen Thompson of the Orlando Magic. And you'd be. He plays for the Rockets. And I just want to see.

[Unknown]

Well, I like sports, so this is not a problem.

[Chris Finch]

Well, no, no, no. And he likes football.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Chris Finch]

So you'd think he would know it. It's not, it's not student teacher, it's employer and potential employee. And I'm going to test you.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Chris Finch]

When I interviewed for another company, they, they threw some, well, 78 mile an hour sliders and I hit them out of the park. But the point being is they're testing you.

[Unknown]

Yeah, they're sinking millions of dollars into first round Quarterbacks I have no problem with this. I have a chidoi problem.

[Chris Finch]

And again it's quarterback. Quarterback's different. The fact that you know the kid that grew up was you know in a wealthy family like oh, I mean I would say if you grow up like Shador where you had some money around you in life or Arch Manning. So Arch Manning's grown up in a world of comfort comparably to the rest of us or a Bronnie James. I think one of the things you wonder if I was, if I was interviewing Arch Manning I'd think well he grew up with comfort. I'm going to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts. Is he short tempered? Is he, you know what I mean? Like, like test him on it's Archman incapable. Oh duress. Life's not planned. You don't have great protection at Texas anymore in five star receivers. So I think that stuff's all fair game.

[Unknown]

How much of this has to do with Kyler Marie a couple years ago getting a play like a, a computer with hey here's film of our opponent coming up and he didn't watch it ever. And I just wonder if that lack of like hey I got this Johnny man there's, there's a lot of guys out there and I wonder if the Giants are like listen we have concerns about this dude, he might be well liked but is he going to put in the work? And I, I, I don't know the answer to that.

[Chris Finch]

Well, nobody the NFL quarterback for years and years I used to talk about this all the time is that it was amazing that all many of the great quarterbacks, Big Ben from Miami of Ohio, Aaron Rodgers junior college, Cal even now Josh Allen, Wyoming Mahomes at a non football power. Why is that? Matt Ryan, Boston College very few Peyton Mannings number one high school, number one college, number one NFL. Why? Because NFL quarterback is all about discomfort. Hell, practice is hard in the NFL. So if you've lived a life of comfort. Oh I was a five star guy that went to Alabama. I never got sacked. I had a great run game, I played in the lead. That's not the NFL. The NFL is, I mean what the NFL is is Mahomes. I've got to drop 55 or we lose again. It's Josh, Lamar Jackson, Louisville. Okay, we're playing Clemson. They got better players. So if you look at a live a lot of these NFL quarterbacks it wasn't a comfortable life. They were overlooked. They had to fight for their starting job. So I think Shador Sanders, you're like, listen, this kid's lived a pretty comfortable life. Let's make him a little uncomfortable and see if he catches it. It'd be one thing if you didn't catch it, but to not catch it and then react playing, that is a deal breaker for that position.

[Unknown]

By the way, shout out to Brer. This is the kind of stuff that not a lot of people are going to report because you don't want to damage friendships with the Giants or Dion. We're just. That's a big scoop. I like this story a lot. I think there's a lot of meat on that boat and it's a fascinating one from the Giants and Shadors perspective.

[Chris Finch]

Doesn't mean Shador can't succeed.

[Unknown]

Now this is a wake up call, I think, for sure.

[Chris Finch]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Next up is the Miami Dolphins have been open about looking to trade Jalen Ramsey. And it sounds like the Rams could be looking at a reunion with their former cornerback, who I call the pile inspector.

[Chris Finch]

Well, they got two fives, two sixes.

[Colin Cowherd]

Two sevens, two ones.

[Chris Finch]

They're not trading a one.

[Unknown]

Of course not. Here's what McVeigh said regarding Jalen Ramsey.

[Chris Finch]

He is a total stud. And you look at, obviously he's continued to play at a really high level. Special competitor, great person, great father. And so there are a lot of layers when you're talking about a player of his caliber.

[Unknown]

All right.

[Chris Finch]

You know, with regards to the contract, the compensation that they would be looking for in exchange for receiving a player of his magnitude. And so those conversations are ongoing, as I'm sure they are with multiple teams. I give up a 5th round pick for him because I got to pay him. I got two fives. Yeah. I don't know. I might take on Jalen Ramsey. So the Rams did not draft the corner in this draft, which was the kind of strange move. They can also pick up somebody at some point. It was the only thing about their draft I didn't like. They need another corner. They're. They're thin there and I think they know it.

[Unknown]

So in addition, this is just breaking right now. Ian Rapaport is reporting the Rams and Stafford have finally finalized terms on his new deal.

[Chris Finch]

How long?

[Unknown]

According to Rapaport, Stafford will earn. This is an interesting number. I'm just going to put the name out there, Brock Purdy. Okay. Stafford will earn 44 million this year. 4 million already paid. And the other 40 million guaranteed.

[Chris Finch]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

44 million to Matt Stafford.

[Chris Finch]

That's a team friendly deal.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Chris Finch]

And by the way, Brock Purdy not in the same class, wants 58. Yeah, no, thanks. That is, I told you the reason the Rams over the last two years have elevated over the Niners. They are better upstairs. They are. They are not handing out money. They are drafting better and they are much more disciplined. The Niners handed out too much candy to all the kids. Halloween, everybody gets Kit Kapp.

[Unknown]

Well, it started with the A deal that was. He's got to turn it around. That Stafford number is very interesting in the division. Stafford's got a Super Bowl. He was the number one overall pick. He's a stud.

[Chris Finch]

This is the advantage to Sean McVeigh. You can say, oh, you could leave. But you, you don't get McVeigh.

[Unknown]

Well, Stafford would have a market, a bigger market than pie.

[Chris Finch]

Okay, go ahead, go ahead, play Pittsburgh well. That with that offensive line and that culture. Or you get McVeigh and Stan Kroenke. Puka Nakua. A great defense where nobody can score. I'm telling you, that Ram defense next year.

[Unknown]

Well, wait a minute.

[Chris Finch]

Hold lights out.

[Unknown]

The Rams are a Super bowl team with Matt Stafford.

[Chris Finch]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

If he moves on. They're not sniffing the Super Bowl. So it goes both ways. Wait a minute. What are you saying? Jimmy Garoppolo still could put this roster in Super Bowl?

[Chris Finch]

No, I'm saying it's mutually beneficial. So Matt, let's get you another ring. At 58. We're going to have to let go, guys. At 44. We're not because the Rams have drafted so well the last two years that that defense now is free.

[Unknown]

Now you could also counter Stafford. Not that we're looking at his pockets. He's made a ton of money being a number one pick, multiple contracts. Purdy's still searching for it after making like 800,000 last year or whatever the number was.

[Chris Finch]

You know, I'm not anti Purdy. I'm anti purdy. At 54.

[Unknown]

54 is the line. 52. I'm fine.

[Chris Finch]

No, I mean if you give me Purdy at 38 to 41, I can live with.

[Unknown]

There's no way he's taking less than what Daniel Jones got. And that's. They shouldn't ask him. Final story wnba, Caitlin Clark. Colin, this was a preseason game. It was a two hour wait to get into the arena. In Iowa, Caitlin Clark had 16 and five dropped a 36 foot three. I mean, she was cooking. I'm just telling you right now, Indiana Fever are. I think they have the second best odds to win the title. They had a good off season. Here's Caitlin Clark. On returning to Iowa, I felt good.

I. It was fun to get out there. I haven't played basketball in over, like 200 days, so I was a little, you know, nervous going into it. I don't get nervous, but nervous just because, you know, I haven't been able to play basketball in a really long time. And the competitive spirit in me, like, you just want to play really good for these fans. And once you get in the flow of it, you knock some rust off and it'll be the same. We go to Atlanta next week. Just continue to build. Continue to build and hopefully by, you know, game one, you're. You're ready to go.

[Chris Finch]

Yeah. Halliburton and Caitlin Clark. Pretty good back court, by the way.

[Unknown]

So two. Two things after the game. I don't know if you've seen this video. The Brazilian players came up and were like, caitlin, can you sign my jersey and shorts? And they're wearing. Here it is. Here it is. They're wearing the shorts and asking Caitlin Clark to sign it. That was the team that just played. That was like Michael Jordan in the dream team Olympics. Remember, where the opponents took him up.

[Chris Finch]

The tickets for this sold out in 24 minutes. The average price was 440 bucks. I'm telling you, it's Taylor Swift, man.

[Unknown]

This is unbelievable.

[Chris Finch]

It's unprecedented they will beat these. These WNBA fever ratings this year. Watch them beat like other major sports.

[Unknown]

You know, we should go. When they play the Sparks out here, we should go to the game.

[Chris Finch]

I'd go to the game.

[Unknown]

And then we get to meet Caitlin Clark afterwards. Can you make that happen?

[Chris Finch]

Well, I. I tend to pay for my own ticket. Stop. And not be a disruptor. I like to go subtly. There's no reason for me.

[Unknown]

Yeah, there is.

[Chris Finch]

You want handouts.

[Unknown]

Caitlyn Clark. You just said she's Taylor Swift.

[Chris Finch]

She is.

[Unknown]

So you want to meet Taylor Swift? You don't want me Caitlin Clark.

[Chris Finch]

Caitlin Clark is gonna have a million people that want to meet.

[Unknown]

Yeah, but you're Colin Cowherd, man.

[Chris Finch]

Yeah, I think she does. I think she got bigger stars than me.

[Unknown]

Well, my daughter would be thrilled if you made that happen. Anyways, also you mentioned I should Tyrese Halliburton. Caitlin Clark in Indiana. I asked one of the producers.

[Chris Finch]

Agar. The other guy they have.

[Unknown]

Oh, Nemar.

[Chris Finch]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Unknown]

Real quick. Halliburton or Cade? Cade Cunningham. That's tough.

[Chris Finch]

Well, they're well Cade. I think some more will be a more gifted. They're both great.

[Unknown]

Yeah, that's a Tough one. I'll let it marinate for the next.

[Chris Finch]

Maybe a trade happens. They play together. Kate is good. I feel bad for the Knicks once Detroit now is going to get run. Here's the thing. Indiana and Detroit. All you look at is a Knick fan is, ooh, Celtics, Cavs. You watching Indiana?

[Unknown]

They're good. I like them.

[Chris Finch]

They're not just good.

[Unknown]

I said they were conference finals before the season.

You can look that up.

[Chris Finch]

No, they're. They're also fun to watch.

[Unknown]

By the way, I did have the Wolves in the championship. I swear that was my pick. Before the season it looked dumb for like 60 games. Now I look like a genius.

[Chris Finch]

I wouldn't go that far. J. Mac with a new well, that's the news.

[Unknown]

And thanks for stopping by the Herd lie news, man.

[Chris Finch]

There's things, there's things developing here. Hold on one second, folks.

[Unknown]

By the way, when the Brock Purdy deal becomes official, is that gonna be like a two hour bonanza for you?

[Chris Finch]

No, I know what the numbers I mean again, I'll just say to all you Niner fans, the Rams would get him at 40 million. Let's see what the Niners get him out. That's what the Rams would get him at. The rams would say, McVeigh, Stan Cronky do better go to the market. Carolina may have an opening. I mean, to get Stafford for 44 is a pretty good indicator that the Rams are like, listen, this is a Super bowl team. You don't have to play here. Pittsburgh's got an opening. This is a Super bowl team. Let's all do this together.

[Unknown]

Super bowl team with you, Matt Stafford.

[Chris Finch]

Without Stafford, you're not winning it. Without McVeigh, it goes both ways. 44 million is a lot of money.

[Unknown]

Up against Mike Tomlin. He's got a Super bowl ring. I think he has as many Super Bowls as Mr. McVeigh.

[Chris Finch]

20, 25 maybe. Which franchise is dialed in offensively?

[Unknown]

Well, they're that fair.

[Chris Finch]

Okay. Steelers have so much money on defense, they're limited offensively. And I, I can like Tomlin, but Tomlin has not delivered in the last decade. He had. I'm looking at it here. Tomlin has not won a playoff game.

[Unknown]

It's like eight years.

[Chris Finch]

Eight years. And for the record, during that time, he's had a great defense. So it's not like he's got a bad roster. He's like continuity, good ownership, solid GMing, excellent defense, hasn't won a playoff game. I'm not looking to peel off four of them. How about one. So I, I know, I think the Rams would get Purdy at 40.

[Unknown]

So just smart move is the Niners Inc. A $55 million deal with Purdy the day before the schedule comes out and everybody's off Purdy in a day talking about the schedule. Right? That's the move. Or buried at 5 o'clock on a Friday afternoon.

[Chris Finch]

I would bury it at midnight on a Friday. It's the Herd.

[Unknown]

Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports, RAD, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app.

[Steve Covino]

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 Cavino 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 the live show, just search Covino and Rich wherever you get your podcast. And of course on social media, that's Covino and Rich.

[Unknown]

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[Chris Finch]

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[Unknown]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[Chris Finch]

Just found out next Wednesday is NFL a schedule release day. I don't know. I'll be dizzy. I'll be doing these schedules here instead of my mock drafts as usual. The other thing is Will the Pittsburgh Steelers be left at the altar with Aaron Rodgers? They don't have a starting quarterback. They drafted Will Howard, Mason Rudolph? Those feel like backups. Will they be left at the Altar. Matt Hasselbeck said. I said, what's the. What's the bottom line date? What's the latest you could get there if you were Aaron Rodgers?

[Unknown]

Phase three, I think, is really important. So for the Pittsburgh Steelers, I believe that's May 27th. May 27th is the start of phase three. They also have a mandatory minicamp, which would technically be June 10th. So, you know, when is the day that I need to, like, all of a sudden go from speaking Spanish to speaking French? It's not really till week one of the NFL season because. Because of who you are, you're Aaron Rodgers. You'll figure it out. You can speak enough. But to me, I think I would circle that May 27 date as a date that, like, it would really be detrimental to be starting the missing time at that point.

[Chris Finch]

Okay, so I was thinking about this, and my memory is not serving me. So I generally, after the coaching hires and free agency, I give you my first iteration of my NFL predictions. I didn't give my post draft predictions, did I? So now we've had all the coaching changes, all the free agency moves and the draft. Have I given a draft? I don't think I have because I wait for the coaching changes in free agency and I say, okay, you know, like I said before that I said New England, between Vrabel, from Jared Maya to Frable and $200 million in free agency, that's a totally different team. So I think tomorrow we'll do that at the top of the 10. Okay. Now we've got new coaching staffs, free agency, and like, Seattle got three starters minimum out of that draft, like, at. At key spots. And Jalen Milroe will play. So I think we need to do. And then we won't do another one until it's almost like, Right. Like training camp. So I think, yeah. And then we do a final one on training camp injuries right before this. So we have three left tomorrow. I think we'll do one. I'll line it up. Because I didn't love. I got to tell you, a team that I'm just struggling with is the 49ers. I didn't love their draft. They lost Hufanga in Greenlawn. Essential parts of the defense. I thought their draft, they got better on the D line. That's indisputable. But I don't love their offensive line. And they're going to have to be pretty. A boatload and they're not as good in the secondary and they've been hit and miss on. They don't draft as well as the Rams the last several years, so I, I think I'm pretty close. I don't know. I'd argue this window with them with cheap quarterbacks on team friendly deals. If this number gets up into the 50s or high 40s. I don't see it. I don't see it. The other thing.

[Colin Cowherd]

Let me.

[Chris Finch]

You got an opinion on that?

[Unknown]

No, I was just gonna say I'm looking at the Niners secondary. What is going on here? Trey Brown and Renardo Green are their cornerbacks. I don't. That's not good, Colin. This is this defense.

[Chris Finch]

Holy hell. And let me tell you something. Something crazy happens every year.

[Unknown]

I don't want to bet against Kyle Shanahan though. I think that is risky.

[Chris Finch]

Every other year they've struggled, let's say.

[Unknown]

So last year they struggled. They're going to bounce back.

[Chris Finch]

Let me throw this at you. You know who the two best drafts? There's an argument they were Seattle and Arizona. Arizona.

[Unknown]

Arizona's on the come up.

[Chris Finch]

Arizona's defense is going to be nasty.

[Unknown]

But is Kyler Murray. Does he give you any confidence? Because I didn't see it last year. He really hurt them. But they got McBride, Harrison, Connor. That's a good trio. No, they got better skill position guys than the Cowboys.

[Chris Finch]

Not even close. Yeah, no, they, they're their draft. Their defensive coach just said we're going defense. The Seahawks did the opposite. They got better with Darnold. They went and got a tight end.

[Unknown]

I mean last in that division.

[Chris Finch]

San Francisco.

[Unknown]

Stop. No way.

[Chris Finch]

Okay?

[Unknown]

If Purdy and McCaffrey are healthy, there's.

[Chris Finch]

No way I'll make an argument next year. What if I told you every year has a weird vibe? Like last year was the year of the rookie quarterback. Jaden Daniels gets the NFC championship. Bo Nix makes the playoffs. You're like, these guys are good. Drake May. Oh, they found their Justin Herbert. What if next year in the NFL is the year of big brands finishing fourth? The Dallas Cowboys, the 49ers, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

[Unknown]

Oh, that's a hot take. You just come up with that on the fly?

[Chris Finch]

Yeah, this thing never shuts off. No, I think that the year of the big brands bottoming out. I might, I, I, I'm sorry. Between Chicago Bears.

[Unknown]

Do they qualify?

[Chris Finch]

No, because they haven't been winning. How about this Green Bay? Detroit's got the best roster.

[Unknown]

You know, I like Minnesota, but Green Bay is not a bad AD there. Okay?

Okay.

[Chris Finch]

Just because you're last doesn't mean you don't have players they could be eight.

[Unknown]

And nine, no question.

[Chris Finch]

Yeah. I mean last year at the end of the year, Jordan Love was all over the map. He was, he was not great. Now I got Dak Prescott in Dallas off a second surgery and he's now just a pocket quarterback. Dax, not a great pocket quarterback in San Francisco. I think Seattle and the Cardinals had great off seasons.

[Unknown]

And you love the Rams.

[Chris Finch]

Well, I think the Rams are, they were a 15 yard line to end up to the NFC championship.

[Unknown]

You haven't picked your AFC team to face the Rams in the super bowl yet.

No.

[Chris Finch]

And Rams are nfc.

[Unknown]

You haven't picked your afc. Come on, say it. Buffalo. Yeah baby. Bill's Mafia. It ain't gonna be the Chiefs.

[Chris Finch]

My B was Baltimore. Okay, you can't go wrong with Baltimore and the Rams.

[Unknown]

Chiefs love it.

[Chris Finch]

No, I don't, I don't. I've told you. I think the Chiefs are a wild card team that division. Now if they're lucky, if Ashton Genty gives them the running game, we think. And the Raiders are predicted for fourth. That is a great fourth. Think about this last year, bad at quarterback, didn't have the coaching staff gave. The Chiefs outplayed him. I could argue both times they played.

[Unknown]

How is Nick gonna handle this if LeBron bounced in the first round and the Chiefs don't even make the playoffs? Is he gonna be okay?

[Chris Finch]

Nick's life is great. He can handle his Chiefs missing the.

[Unknown]

Playoffs because you know, nobody stays on top forever.

[Chris Finch]

I think the nf, the NFL tends to be a little bit more predictable than we think. Like we know, we know in baseball there are certain payrolls that are going to make the playoffs. And we know in the NBA there are certain rosters that will. They're about. I mean AFC is pretty easy to predict. Andy Reid and Mahomes will figure out a way to get in. But they're not going 11 and oh in one score games. If they go seven and four. You take it today. Oh hell yeah. We'll see you tomorrow.

[Unknown]

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[Chris Finch]

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[Unknown]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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