Hour 3 - Joel Klatt

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3 featuring Joel Klatt

Release Date: August 5, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: Joel Klatt
Platform: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

The third hour of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" features an in-depth discussion with guest Joel Klatt, focusing primarily on the evolving landscape of college football, the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies, and the current state of various NFL teams.

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1. Expanding the College Football Playoff Landscape

Colin Cowherd and Joel Klatt delve into the shifting dynamics of college football playoff contenders. Traditionally, a select few teams were perennial favorites for the national championship, but this landscape has broadened significantly.

• Colin's Perspective:
  “The top nine. I think the coaches got it pretty right. Those top nine teams, things go the right way, they could easily play for or win the national championship.” ([04:05])

• Joel's Counterpoint:
  Joel argues that advancements like the transfer portal and NIL agreements have diluted team depths, allowing more teams to rise as legitimate contenders beyond the traditional powerhouses.

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2. The Impact of NIL and the Transfer Portal

The discussion shifts to the profound effects of NIL and the transfer portal on college football's competitive balance.

• Joel Klatt:
  “I think the NIL has helped the sport by allowing talent to disperse rather than stockpile in a few programs.” ([05:43])

• Colin Cowherd:
  He acknowledges that the transfer portal has been a significant factor in expanding the pool of championship-caliber teams. Additionally, access to expanded playoffs has provided opportunities for teams like SMU, Indiana, Arizona State, and Boise State to compete at higher levels.

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3. USC's Struggle and Recovery Post-NIL

USC serves as a case study for the challenges and eventual resilience faced by programs adapting to NIL regulations.

• Joel Klatt:
  “Lincoln Riley would be in big trouble without NIL. You can't ask boosters to pay $18 million for players.” ([08:36])

• Colin Cowherd:
  He critiques USC's initial handling of NIL, highlighting issues with identity and recruitment. However, he remains optimistic about their future, noting their top-tier recruiting rankings for the upcoming year.
  “Next year's recruiting rankings have USC at number one, number two in the country.” ([09:00])

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4. Ohio State's Quarterback Situation and Team Dynamics

The conversation transitions to Ohio State's quarterback depth and the expectations placed on Ryan Day, especially with the addition of Arch Manning.

• Joel Klatt:
  Emphasizes the increased pressure on Ryan Day to perform, drawing parallels to past coaching pressures and the significance of Arch Manning's role.
  “There's some level of relaxed expectation because of that.” ([12:56])

• Colin Cowherd:
  Highlights the importance of a solid defense and outstanding receivers like Jeremiah Smith, who he believes could be one of the best in college football history.
  “If he just keeps working hard and developing, he's... a top five receiver in the history of football.” ([22:29])

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5. Bo Nix vs. Jaden Daniels: A Tale of Two Quarterbacks

The duo compares quarterbacks Bo Nix and Jaden Daniels, discussing their performances and potential NFL futures.

• Colin Cowherd:
  Praises Bo Nix's statistics and his compatibility with Sean Payton's analytical approach, noting that Nix's performance metrics rival those of elite quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes.
  “Bo Nix's score was the very best since Patrick Mahomes.” ([36:59])

• Joel Klatt:
  Argues that while Jaden Daniels has garnered more attention, Bo Nix possesses the consistency and resilience needed for long-term success in the NFL.
  “Bo Nix has all the things you need to be successful in the NFL.” ([37:30])

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6. NFL Team Spotlights

The podcast also touches on several NFL teams, analyzing their current standings and future prospects.

a. Buffalo Bills and James Cook Holdout

• Seth Wickersham introduces the topic, discussing James Cook's holdout and the Rams' signing of Kyron Williams.
  “James Cook is holding out because he's waiting for Kyron Williams to get signed.” ([25:07])

• Joel Klatt:
  Suggests that Cook may leverage his position to secure a more favorable contract, emphasizing his value to the Bills.
  “I think James Cook wants more, but I think they're both guys that I feel good about.” ([25:41])

b. Washington Commanders' Continuity

• Seth Wickersham:
  Highlights the importance of maintaining continuity with Jaden Daniels and offensive coordinator Cliff Kingsbury.
  “Continuity is huge in the NFL for all the elite teams.” ([29:36])

• Joel Klatt:
  Expresses confidence in Washington's coaching staff and quarterback performance, predicting a strong season ahead.
  “They have the better head coach and the better quarterback.” ([30:19])

c. Cincinnati Bengals' Rocky Start

• Seth Wickersham:
  Discusses the Bengals' underwhelming September performance, attributing it to Joe Burrow's injuries and offensive line struggles.
  “With Burrow's health and the offensive line, they've been a bad September team.” ([28:52])

• Joel Klatt:
  Agrees, pointing out that a lack of protection and consistent offensive performance has hindered their early-season success.
  “They haven't stepped up with capital and protected him with a great offensive line.” ([28:52])

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7. Looking Ahead: Promising Players and Teams

The episode concludes with a focus on emerging talent and teams poised for success in the upcoming seasons.

• Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State):
  Colin lauds Smith as potentially one of the greatest receivers, comparing him to legends like Adrian Peterson.
  “He has a chance to be a top five receiver in the history of football.” ([22:04])

• Bo Nix (Bo Nix):
  Joel emphasizes Nix's readiness for the NFL, highlighting his physicality, mental toughness, and adaptability under various coaches.
  “Bo Nix played in a better division against better defensive coordinators.” ([37:27])

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Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd ([04:05]):
  “The top nine. I think the coaches got it pretty right. Those top nine teams, things go the right way, they could easily play for or win the national championship.”

• Joel Klatt ([08:36]):
  “If you couldn't beat Nick [Saban], well, we're going to flush out.”

• Colin Cowherd ([22:29]):
  “He has a chance to be a top five receiver in the history of football.”

• Joel Klatt ([37:30]):
  “Bo Nix had all the things you need to be successful in the NFL.”

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Conclusion

In this insightful episode, Colin Cowherd and Joel Klatt provide a comprehensive analysis of the current and emerging trends in college and professional football. They explore how NIL and the transfer portal are reshaping competitive balances, assess the potential of standout players, and evaluate the strategies and performances of key NFL teams. The discussion offers valuable perspectives for fans looking to understand the evolving dynamics of the sport.

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Note: This summary omits advertisements, promotional segments, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions between Colin Cowherd and Joel Klatt.

Transcript

[Colin Cowherd]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Joel Klatt]

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[Joel Klatt]

Thanks for listening to the Heard podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports radio and 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. Now, let's get this party started. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. So Joel Klatt and I were talking during the break. I always felt every college football season you got about five teams that can win a natty. We've extended the playoff. I think it's still about five. Joel Klatz joined us live. Joel. Now, Joel thinks, Joel thinks it's a much bigger group of teams that can win the national championship. So I'm gonna, I'm gonna put the coaches poll on the screen. Okay. And. And I'll give you my five. I've said before, I think Texas, Penn State play for the national championship. I think Michigan's a lot of fool's gold. I, I don't buy lsu. I think Notre Dame and Ohio State could. I just have to see their quarterback play. Same with Georgia. I just don't know you teams on that list you think can play for the national championship.

[Colin Cowherd]

The top nine. I think the coaches got it pretty right. Those top nine teams, things go the right way, they could easily play for or win the national championship, which is, which is a much more expanded list. The top of the sport. You argued in your last segment that the top of the sport has narrowed. I could not disagree more. It has expanded. The top of the sport was as narrow as it was ever in the history of the sport. Five, six years years ago, Georgia, Alabama, maybe Clemson could win the national championship. We knew that before the season. And that was it. That was it. And now we at least have an expanded version of that. If you were ranked sixth in the preseason poll in 2018, you had no chance. This year, the sixth ranked team, at least in the coaches poll is Clemson. They've got a great chance to win the national championship. And I go down to nine because LSU has Garrett Nussmeier.

[Joel Klatt]

Yeah. So my argument is the nil is the reason for that, is that Georgia and Alabama and Ohio State don't have the depth. Because what happens is Louisville comes in and says, yeah, we'll take Ohio State's number three receiver. So over the course of a longer season, due to playoff games, there's injuries, and with more injuries, Georgia doesn't have the depth. I noticed it three years ago. I'm like, if Georgia lost a receiver to the NFL and had an injury, they were pedestrian, a wide receiver. That's where I think the nil has helped the sport is it's allowed. I mean, Purdue's got a transfer portal. He got all Sorts like a Purdue. So I think the NIL has created that. I don't think it's the playoff. Would you agree with that?

[Colin Cowherd]

I think that the transfer portal in particular is the greatest driver of what we're talking about some expanding of the top of the sport. But, but I also believe that at least access to that playoff has expanded it as, as well. You know, like for instance, smu, Indiana, Arizona State, Boise State. They, they at least were in the dance. You know, Indiana has a chance to go and play Notre Dame. Arizona State goes out there and plays a ridiculously great game against Texas. Really had a chance to win outside of that fourth down that yours was completed right down in the middle of the field. Like those, Those to me speak to, to what you're talking about. What I think I would argue as well is that the transfer portal has created a disparity rather than a stockpile of talent in three, four places. Used to be Georgia and Alabama at NFL players, first string, second string and third string and they're too deep, could probably beat your starters. But now that's no longer the case and that talent has dispersed a little bit and we're seeing that play out. Plus, I would just also mention it's not lost on me nor anybody that doesn't cover that conference specifically that as soon as everybody started becoming eligible legal to pay players, the SEC lost its dominance. Is, is that, is that not the most apparent thing going on in college football? No, no, it is.

[Joel Klatt]

I mean, I. Look, we, we all know the story is that one conference was paying dudes and you know, often through, you know, different sources and, and, and other schools weren't. And so now, you know, Oregon. And the other thing is, I also think that Nick Saban was almost revolutionary. And then a lot of SEC teams were bailing on coaches maybe a year before they should have that he was such a disruptor and so dominant that Nick kind of screwed the whole conference up. Like, like if you couldn't beat Nick, well, we're going to flush out. It's like guys, nobody. That's the best coaching. That's the best program in the history of the sport. Okay, I want to, I want to move to this though, is that when you look at that list, you're. You're sitting in Southern California right now. And if the nil did not exist, where schools have to raise 15 million, I think Lincoln Riley would be in big trouble. But you can't ask boosters to pay 18 million for players. Buy out your coach at 80 million and then go buy a new coach for 70 million. When you see a top 25 program and USC is not there and Illinois is Arizona State and Texas Tech and Boise State, what does that say to you about the state of one of the biggest brands in the history of the sport?

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, two things. So that's a specific USC question, but it's also a question that directly flies in the face of your entire monologue in the last segment, which is that this sport is totally top heavy and it's just about brands. It's not. You do have Illinois and others, Texas Tech, smu, that have access to the top of the sport because of name, image and likeness. And the transfer portal for USC specifically, I think that they struggled in particular right after their first year because of identity. They didn't know how they wanted to handle nil. They paid a lot of players that were, I'll face it, skill position players. They needed to get better on the line of scrimmage. And then I don't think that they recruited as well as they should have. I think that they got caught in terms of who was handling nil, how it was going, too many cooks in the kitchen type of a deal. But now what you're starting to see, I think is a little bit more solid footing. If you look at next year's recruiting rankings, a lot of people have USC at number one Summit, number two in the country for next year's high school recruiting rankings. And Colin, I actually believe that this is a team now. I don't have them in my top 25 as well, but they were just on the outside. I think it's a team that could win eight or nine games and take a step forward. If you look at their schedule, they've got a couple of big ones. And then specifically against a top 25 team on the road, Illinois, if they beat Illinois, then watch out. I think USC could have a really good year. And quietly, Lincoln Riley has been confident this offseason.

[Joel Klatt]

So the Ohio State game, I mean, we forget Ryan Day after losing to Michigan was in big trouble. And then they go out and they roll Tennessee and everybody forgets about it. You and I had said, I mean, the guy's only losing in Michigan, Jim Harbaugh and Georgia. Like, he's a great coach, but he was in, he was getting heat. And now we look at Sark and Sark, to me, is this year's Ryan Day. If they lose at Columbus, that next loss with Arch Manning, Starks getting heat. And by the way, the Texas donors and the Texas, Texas is A weird program. It's, It's. There's a lot of cooks in the kitchen. There's a lot of money coming from a lot of places. And my take is the game is much bigger for Texas than it is for Ohio State. The Natty. I don't think Michigan will be as strong without Harbaugh as they would before. I think Oregon now is the program Ohio State will have to annually really look at. So my take is there's actually, there's a little pressure on Sark to win this game with Arch Manning. Do you agree with that?

[Colin Cowherd]

You know, yes, I think I understand your premise on that. Plus, they've just gone to two straight semifinals, and now you've got this quarterback. This was what everyone was anticipating when Arch Manning signed. Now, one of the things that Sark has going for him is that. And it's almost like Michigan last year. It's almost like, listen, we understand what came priority, you know, and so, like, Michigan understood what happened the 10 years prior to the four last four years when they were able to beat Ohio State and win a national championship a couple of years ago. So their fan base is, Is not quite as on the edge of their seat as. As. As maybe they would have been prior. Why does that apply to Texas? Well, Texas fans remember what the desert was like. I mean, Colin, it was 15 years. 10 years. 15 years where it was like, is Texas back? Is Texas back? They're. They're churning through coaches, and now all of a sudden they have solid footing. They find themselves where they are, a preeminent program, not only in the sport, but in the sec. They, they know that Sark can do it. He's recruiting at a high level year in and year out. And there's this. I think that there's this idea with Texas, like, yes, we want to win. Yes, we want to go to the national championship. Yes, we want to beat Ohio State, but we understand that we have it better than we did. And so there's, there's, there's some level of relaxed expectation because of that. Plus, you throw on top of all of that discussion that the playoff is not going to care who wins that game. That'll be determined through the regular season and conference play and getting into the playoff. And we'll look at that game more for seating purposes than we will access purposes.

[Joel Klatt]

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

[Seth Wickersham]

Hey, this is Jason McIntyre. Join me every weekday morning on my podcast Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre this isn't your typical sports pod. Pushing the same tired narratives down your throat every day. Straight Fire gives you honest opinions on all the biggest sports headlines, accurate stats to help you win big at the Sportsbook and all the best guests. Do yourself a favor and listen to Straight fire with Jason McEntire on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

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[Joel Klatt]

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[Colin Cowherd]

It's kind of great, isn't it?

[Joel Klatt]

They've really used the portal a lot. I don't love that. I don't. I think the portal should be used with discretion.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, but what are the. But what are they supposed to do?

[Joel Klatt]

Coach up the kids?

[Colin Cowherd]

I mean, I mean, come on, come on. Right? Like, it's like Dion in his first year. It's like there, there are programs that are forced to go the portal route. You might be right. That. Okay, recruit and develop. Is that how you get to the top of the sport? Yes, but that's not how you turn it around quickly. Like if you're Bill Belichick, don't you have to hit the portal to try to be competitive right away?

[Joel Klatt]

Well, I think he is a much better coach than 99% of the coaches in college especially. I mean, DAB staff's very good. I think Carolina has always had pretty decent talent. I think, I think if they get decent quarterback play. I looked at their schedule. It looks like. I said it looks like a U.S. news & World Report academic ranking. They've got a lot of dukes and cows in there in Virginia's.

[Colin Cowherd]

The schedule is not daunting.

[Joel Klatt]

Oh my. Not daunting. It's, it's, it's. I mean, if they just keep turnovers.

[Colin Cowherd]

I. Listen, I agree with you. I think that they could finish fourth, fifth, fourth in the ACC just because with the schedule they have in front of them, all they have to do is play Belichick style of football. Remember, he famously, and Nick Saban says this, and I certainly agree with this premise, is that more games are lost than they are won. In particular in college football. Belichick even felt that way in the NFL. And so what did they do? They played solid in situations. They didn't turn the football over. And lo and behold, you look up, they were in 10 straight AFC championships and won, you know, seven Super Bowls, six Super Bowls with Tom Brady. This type of football with that schedule can get you to eight wins. I'm actually more bullish on North Carolina and Bill Belichick than most because of that. If he just coaches well, then this is a team that can go out there and win eight games. You're looking at the schedule right now. If you're watching on FS, FS1, the toughest game is by far Clemson. Okay, so listen, they're probably going to lose that. And then what else do they have? I mean, TCU to open. They play at Charlotte, they play against Richmond, they play at UCF, which is a bottom tier Big 12 school. Right now at Cal, like nothing on that schedule scares me. Two best opponents are probably Clemson and North Carolina State. You would throw maybe TCU in there as well, but certainly nothing. That's certainly nothing that's going to scare you.

[Joel Klatt]

Yeah. All right. Yeah. How good is the quarterback at Ohio State? That five star recruit kid? I have no idea. I went to YouTube and watched him. He looks good. Is. I mean, seriously, the whole season is. I got to watch the kid play.

[Colin Cowherd]

So think of it this way. We normally go crazy for anybody that's the top quarterback in the country, right?

[Joel Klatt]

Yeah.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, Julian Saying was the top quarterback in the country when he came out of high school. So is he going to be, you know, the starter? I'm not sure. They keep saying Lincoln Keenholtz is like competing really well and Ryan is playing coy. They've got Tevion Sinclair who signed with them as well. So they say it's a three man race. I think it's probably going to be Julian Saying, but I'm not totally sure. Here's the deal though. Let's like, pull it back a little bit. I could throw to Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. Right. Like, the quarterback is not going to be asked to be Superman for Ohio State. They should be able to run it well. Their defense should be solid. And they've got, I think, the best wide receiver that I've seen in college football since I've been covering college football. And Jeremiah Smith, he might be the best player I've seen since I've started covering college football.

[Joel Klatt]

Yeah. I mean, I'm trying to think. I'm trying to think of the last college football player that was that much of a. That looked like that. That literally do.

[Colin Cowherd]

There's only two. There's only two and maybe a third if you go back.

[Joel Klatt]

Clowny Clown look different. Yeah, but you can't.

[Colin Cowherd]

You can't play the line of scrimmage, you know, from 18 to the NFL. There's only two players that I felt like as their true freshman year. They're like they should be on an NFL field. Adrian Peterson, Jeremiah Smith.

[Joel Klatt]

Yeah. You're not. Peterson was ridiculous. Yeah. I mean, I'm trying to think. Yeah, there's.

[Colin Cowherd]

There's just maybe Marcus Dupree going back. Remember, you know him at ou. Smith is. Smith is ridiculous. I think Jeremiah Smith. I mean, this is probably too much. Too much hype. Jeremiah Smith. If he just keeps working hard and developing, he's. I think he has a chance to be a top five receiver in the history of. Of football. That's how good he is.

[Joel Klatt]

I'll tell you another kid. When Brock Bowers came from Napa High School to Georgia immediately. Oh, I mean, in the sec, which was better about five years ago, you were like, oh, yeah, he's just beat. He's beaten corners down the field at 6, 7. He was pretty good.

[Colin Cowherd]

He was. He was remarkably talented. Remarkably talented. The play he made against Ohio State in the semifinal on a fourth down, he kind of leaned for a yard. I mean, that was an incredible play. Bowers was phenomenal.

[Joel Klatt]

Joel Clapp. Good seeing you, man.

[Colin Cowherd]

Hey, it's good to see you. It's good to see you. I'm glad, though. Listen, I know it's going to be. Not in person all the time, but I, you know, I want to continue to hold you accountable. Your last segment was just average. Before I came on, I just didn't love it.

[Joel Klatt]

July and August, I'm pretty average. I'm throwing like 84 miles an hour. That's it.

[Colin Cowherd]

You're just Matt. You're just Greg Maddox. Are you at least nibbling the corners?

[Joel Klatt]

No, I. Thank God they don't have the robot cameras yet or I'd be walking. A lot of guys, believe me, I'm not.

[Jason McIntyre]

Man.

[Colin Cowherd]

I tell you what, in golf they say, well, he hits it crooked, but at least it's short.

[Joel Klatt]

Yeah, that's me. That's July and August. Joel Clapp. Thanks, buddy.

[Colin Cowherd]

Good to see you, bro.

[Joel Klatt]

All right, J. Mac with the news. No, no, no, no. Heard on the news.

[Seth Wickersham]

This is the Herd line news. All right, Colin. You know I have the Buffalo Bills winning the super bowl this year, but they're off to a rocky start. This James Cook situation remains troubling in Buffalo. He sat out of practice again and the only reason he gave the media was business. Well, Bill's gm, Brandon Bean, talked to Buffalo radio yesterday and said the Cook situation was one he did not expect.

[Joel Klatt]

That's not something we were fully aware of until, you know, shortly before practice. And so it, you know, I get it. I understand.

[Colin Cowherd]

It's the, it's the world we're in.

[Joel Klatt]

I guess, of how players want to respond.

[Seth Wickersham]

Yeah, that's, that's not a good admission, is it? I didn't see this coming. Cook's been chirping all offseason.

[Joel Klatt]

Well, chirping and doing a hold in is two different things. It's a bummer because it's, it's a really good back. For years and years they had a bunch of second tier backs and they've actually, you know, Dalton Kincaid, James Cook, they got a great left tackle. You feel like they've, they've got, they've made attempts to get some weapons. They draft pretty well being drafts pretty well. But yeah, I don't know if you saw this.

[Seth Wickersham]

We are in the last like two hours. The Rams announced that they signed Kyron Williams to a three year, 33 million dollar deal with 23 million guaranteed. So maybe Cook was just waiting for Kyron to get signed and said, hey, I'm a better running back than Kyron Williams.

[Joel Klatt]

Kyron, that's a pretty, that's a pretty solid 10, 10 million a year, most of it guaranteed for a really good back. Kyron, he's a really, really solid back.

[Seth Wickersham]

I never solid, but James Cook is better than solid.

[Joel Klatt]

Yeah, I think Jay. Well, they're both really good backs. I like them both a lot. They're both really good.

[Seth Wickersham]

So do you think Cook can go to the table and say, hey, let's get this done. Kyron got 23mil, give me 27mil guarantee. I don't know what number he's seeking.

[Joel Klatt]

I think James Cook wants more, but I think they're both guys that I feel good. When you give them the ball, they get the most out of the opportunity. I like. I don't think I'm. I mean, what does PFF and analytics say? I think Cook slightly better, but I think Kyron Williams is good. Yeah.

[Seth Wickersham]

No, no, Kyren's good. Now in that McVeigh offense, Kyren is kind of replaceable. That's my opinion. I don't know that Cook is as easily replaceable in Buffalo.

[Joel Klatt]

You know, I think the bigger issue for Rams is Blake Corum. Can he play at all? Because they drafted him in the third round and he did not see the field much.

[Seth Wickersham]

Very interesting take. We don't know. I'm not sure what happened now. Cook is 25, turns 26 in September. You know, the running back shelf life. It's quick, Colin. I mean, we don't even need to go back to Todd Gurley. These guys are done quick. So I kind of. I'm with Cook here holding out. Get your money. You know they're going to pay him. They're a Super bowl team. Get it done.

[Joel Klatt]

Not. Not a big deal.

[Seth Wickersham]

Let's move on to the next story, and that's a Cincinnati Bungles.

[Joel Klatt]

Sorry.

[Seth Wickersham]

Bengals. They've had some slow starts in the Joe Burrow era. September has been not good for Zach Taylor. Well, Taylor announced to the media that Burrow and other starters are going to play at least a few series in the preseason opener. I'm assuming you like this, right?

[Joel Klatt]

Yeah. I mean, the Cincinnati is weird. They. They've been so mediocre in September.

[Seth Wickersham]

No, no, they've been bad in September.

[Joel Klatt]

There's usually a reason for it. My guess is that often Burrow hasn't been fully healthy in September. Also, offensive line play, they've had fairly weak offensive lines and that is a unit that usually takes a while to gel. So between sort of ineffective offensive lines and burrows injuries, they've been a bad September team.

[Seth Wickersham]

So. But yeah, there's a record on the screen, Colin. Worst and bad. The worst September team in the last six years in the league. 1.

[Joel Klatt]

Doesn't make a lot of sense. I'm just spitballing here. I think some of it's Burrow's injuries, so he doesn't take maybe as many slips. I mean, what. Nothing else explains it well.

[Seth Wickersham]

Okay, I can give it to you. Look at the rest of the list. Carolina Panthers have cycled through how many coaches in six years? The New York Giants, multiple coaches, Jets Same deal Jags, same deal. Bad coaches. I mean I think Zach Taylor, I know you're higher on him than market. I'm way down on that guy. I don't even think he sniffs A top 10 coach in the league and I know he went to a Super bowl. But why the consistent slow starts? You can't just blame Burrow for all.

[Joel Klatt]

No, I think it's fair. I think, I mean it's a post Thanksgiving league but when you have the arguably the best statistical quarterback, most efficient quarterback and you're awful in September, there's usually a reason why inside the building and I, I think some of it's Burrows health and I, I don't think they've stepped up with capital and protected him with a great offensive line. That's my take and O lines take a while to kind of get resolve and kind of chemistry up. Yeah.

[Seth Wickersham]

Final story is the commanders, obviously they were awesome last year. Jaden Daniels, Cliff Kingsbury was an incredible oc. Now he did get some looks from other teams but he has declined. He's going to stay in Washington, obviously. Second year head coach Dan Quinn said the ability to retain Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whit Jr. Gives Washington peace of mind entering the season. Continuity huge in the NFL for all the elite teams. You know, with the exception of Jalen hurts obviously losing his OC every year. You can look when you return both coordinators and the head coach and the quarterback, you know, things historically have gone well and I think Washington is going to be real good this year.

[Joel Klatt]

I don't think, you know, it's this division. If you go look in the last 20 years you get a different division winner if you feels like every year I would not be shocked if Washington won the division. I think they have the better head coach and the better quarterback and if Terry McLaurin's playing with Debo, that's a pretty, that's a pretty solid receiving cord. You know, I, I don't buy into year two. He's going to struggle. I just think he's such an exceptional. There, there are players, you know, people point to CJ Strout. CJ is not this good. This, this is Andrew Luck without the mistakes and Andrew Luck didn't have a bad second year. Like I think we're looking at a historically good player.

[Seth Wickersham]

Now to just to be fair, some of the guys were digging into the fourth down numbers and apparently Jaden Daniels in Washington were the best fourth down team in the league in something like the last 18 years. I don't have the exact number but like that's not you can't duplicate that. Similar to 11 and 0 in one score games.

[Joel Klatt]

What's their, what's their schedule schedule look.

[Seth Wickersham]

Like the Washington schedule? Well they, I know they got a lot of prime time games because Daniels is his bank and everybody wants to see him but they open up with a cupcake.

[Joel Klatt]

So look at that. I get Raiders, Atlanta, Giants early.

[Seth Wickersham]

Wait a minute. Atlanta is that Atlanta, Washington were are like kind of even teams. Colin, it was a close game.

[Joel Klatt]

There is a lot of wins on that schedule where Giants, Raiders. Let me, let me okay. Jaden Daniels has clearly established himself as an elite quarterback. Here's the quarterbacks he's going to face in order Russell Wilson, Jordan Love, Geno Smith, Michael Penix, Herbert, Caleb Dak. There's some wins there. There's some 10.

[Seth Wickersham]

You want to go 10 or 9?

[Joel Klatt]

Yeah, that's I would go 10 plus there's a lot of wins there. I think, I think that's a 12.

[Seth Wickersham]

Eagles twice in the final three weeks does not seem fun. Including outdoors in January.

[Joel Klatt]

Listen, they're beating Dallas twice and they're beating the Giants twice. That's four wins right there.

[Seth Wickersham]

I'll just say this if you're looking for a bet. Week one Giants getting six and a half against Washington. I might have to kick the tires on the G men there.

[Joel Klatt]

You do that. Week one Gary gambling.

[Seth Wickersham]

I can't wait.

[Joel Klatt]

J. Mac with the news. Well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by. The Herd lie news really interesting thoughts from Seth Wickersham on some analytics that Sean Payton privately shared with Wickersham on Bo Nicks and Mahomes. And that's next. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd weekdays At noon Eastern, 9am Pacific life's messy.

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[Joel Klatt]

Hi, it's Colin. I've been around long enough to know quality when I see it. Or in this case, when I taste it. Tito's Handmade Vodka. Good stuff. No flash, no gimmicks. Smooth, clean tasting, made the right way. Okay. I like things that are built to last. A great team, a well run organization. Same goes for my vodka, Tito's. Made in Austin, Texas. Real care, attention to detail, distinct crisp taste. I was just telling my wife the other day, Tito's is the one vodka. It has a completely distinct taste. Been my go to for years, so I like to keep it simple. Tito's Soda one lime, a lot of ice, refreshing, easy summer, winter, spring. Totally versatile. Always works. Listen, baseball season's here. Your team's going to play 162 games. A perfect time to kick back with some Tito's. It's what I pour. You should too. Distilled and bottled by 5th Generation Inc. Austin, Texas 40% alcohol by volume. Savor responsibly. Everybody loves a good MVP story and the story of Wasabi Technologies is one of the best. Wasabi is purpose built to free businesses from skyrocketing storage costs and unpredictable egress fees from old and top heavy legacy providers. You know the big guys. Wasabi is the world's hottest cloud storage company, becoming the go to provider for professional and collegiate sports teams and leagues around the world. And here's why. From Wasabi's AI enabled intelligent media storage Wasabi Air to the industry's only cloud storage service with triple protection against cybercriminals, data deletion and ransomware. Wasabi has taken the lead in driving innovation in data storage, eliminating overhead where it matters to deliver you results you can count on and won't break the bank. In fact, Wasabi is up to 80% less than those other guys and doesn't charge a cent for businesses to access their own data. Wasabi Another championship story. Check them out for [e-mail] Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage Proud partner of the Voluum Podcast Network, American Public University is the number one provider of education to our military and veterans in this country. They offer something truly unique. Special rates and grants for the entire family, making education affordable not just for those who serve, but also for their loved ones. If you have a military or veteran family member and are looking for affordable, high quality education, APU is the place for you. Visit APU APIs, Eduardo/ Military. To learn more, that's Apu. Apus, Edu Military. Philip Rivers gonna stop by the show tomorrow. The eight time Pro Bowler. So we had a guest earlier is coming out with a book September 9, Seth Wickersham, who writes spectacular sports books. And you know, he started writing the book several years ago and he got access to certain coaches and he goes, but he'll talk. John Elway, Johnny Unitis, he's already made news with Caleb Williams, Arch Manning. But he, he talked to Sean Payton years ago as he was writing the book. And he shared kind of an analytics formula as Sean Payton was looking for his next Drew Brees. Sean shared sort of an analytic formula about Bo Nixon.

[Colin Cowherd]

When Sean Payton was first looking to replace Drew Brees In 2017, he came up with this formula again to try to understand processing. And Patrick had a great score on it and he was going to pick Patrick. Obviously the Chiefs traded up with Buffalo, took him away, but he kept the same analytics formula. And when he used it this time around, Bo Nix's score was the very best since Patrick Mahomes. The formula that he developed, he had a lot of confidence in it.

[Joel Klatt]

And I think a lot of that.

[Colin Cowherd]

Had to do with Patrick Mahomes.

[Joel Klatt]

So it's interesting because Jaden Daniels was so spectacular and he plays in a, you know, a division with the Cowboys and the Eagles and the Giants. Those are, you know, blue blood, huge brands that Jaden Daniels kind of stole all the thunder from Bo Nix. But if you look at completions, total touchdown passes, total yards, Bo Nix had more. And I would argue Bo Nix was in a division with better coaching. Bo Nix had to face Steve Spagnola, the best defensive coordinator in the league. Jesse Mentor, a top three defensive coordinator arguably in the league. So Bo Nix played in a better division against better defensive coordinators. And if you go from like week four on 29 touchdowns, eight picks, a pass rating over 100, he was money. I mean, he was really good. So. And I think people I, I would watch Bo Nick's live. I've watched him 15 times, 20 times on TV. I watched him live twice his last year of college. And I knew he was going to be drafted early, so I watched him. I went to Husky Stadium and I watched them at the 40 yard line. And then the second half, I went to the end zone and watched him. And then I went a couple weeks later, they played Utah. And I watched him right on the bench behind Oregon. And a pretty captivating guy, more ripped than you think, more very athletic. Very vocal on the sidelines. And I think the other thing with he and Peyton is I think their personalities are similar. They're very blunt people because Bo Nix is, I think he's married already, 61 starts. So. Bo Nix came out of college like a man, not passive aggressive, can handle hard coaching. I think he had like four or five offensive coordinators in college. Bo Nix had all the things you need to be successful in the NFL. Had to deal with a lot of coordinators, SEC, Pac 12. And he played in that Pac 12 season where the Pac 12 may have had their best season as a conference ever. There were like four really good teams. And so he came out and I just think Jaden Daniels stole a lot of the thunder. Bo Nix was fantastic last year. We had some stats I saw earlier today where we listed listed all the rookie quarterback numbers. He was like first and second in all of them. Mostly first, so. And again, Rocky Mountain time zone, you know, Washington's up there playing the Eagles, Jaden Daniels playing the Cowboys, Giants. Those games just get more eyeballs. Keep your eye on Bonick. All right, we'll see you tomorrow. First things first, Nick Wright, Kevin Wilds Brew coming up next. Okay, have you heard about this? Last year, Degree changed the formula for their Cool Rush deodorant, and their fans rebelled and wanted the old scent back. And Degree listened. That doesn't happen often. They admitted they effed up and they're bringing back the original Cool Rush scent. They're bringing it back and it's exactly how you remember it. Cool, crisp and fresh. There's a reason it's the number one men's antiperspirant. And it's back in Walmart, Target and other stores now for under four bucks. So try and see what the fuss is about. Head to your local Walmart or Target to try the OG degree. Cool Rush for yourself. Balancing work, family and education isn't easy, but American Public University makes it possible with online courses, monthly start dates, and flexible schedules. APU is designed for busy professionals who need education that fits their lives. And Affordability matters, too. APU offers the Opportunity Grant, giving students 10% off undergraduate and master's level tuition, helping you reach your goals without breaking a bank. Plus, they provide career services and 24. 7 mental health support at no extra cost. Visit Apu Apus Edu to learn more. That's Apu Apus Edu Every business has an ambition.

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[Colin Cowherd]

This is an iHeart podcast.