Sponsor/Ad Voice (6:58)

So.

Colin Cowherd (6:58)

And then losing to Atlanta really hurts because they have Atlanta's first round pick. A couple weeks ago, that thing was like the eighth pick. Well, now that's dropped down to 12th. So beating Atlanta for no other reason to secure a top 10 pick was important. And they were completely worked out, schemed out, coached, outplayed out everything in the first half and in the second, they still didn't do a great job adjusting. So in San Francisco, you know, it's like every quarterback with Kyle Shanahan looks so much better than potentially they are until they leave the building. And with McVeigh's staff, I'm almost told how brilliant it is. And I, I watch all these guys leave the building and they're not as brilliant. So McVeigh, totally dejected, keeps it really Kurt and succinct when he loses, says these starters will play next week in week 18. Oh, we're playing. Yeah, they're playing. No, they were going to play anyways. We need to play. We need to play better football. So I, you know, I don't know what the consequences are in those different types of things, but.

Jason McIntyre (8:14)

We got to play better.

Colin Cowherd (8:16)

So week 18 isn't great. Saturday Seahawks, Niners 30. Fantastic. And then we've got the Ravens at Pittsburgh and the winner goes to the playoffs. And a lot of the talk in this game is the future of John Harbaugh, the Ravens head coach feels like every five or six years he gets heat. And Mike Tomlin, the coach of the Steelers. I'm reading a column this morning. Whoever loses, the coach could be in trouble. But I don't feel the same way. Two years ago, John Harbaugh was in the AFC championship. The Ravens don't feel tone deaf or out of touch to offense. The Steelers do. John Harbaugh's big problem is he can't beat Mahomes and Andy Reid in the playoffs. Mike Tomlin's issue is he can beat anybody in the playoffs seven straight seasons, bottom 10 offense in that same period, Harbaugh in an offensive league is at a top 10 offense four times. So when I look at the Ravens as a whole in Harbaugh, I just see a roadblock. Almost like Phil Mickelson can't beat Tiger in the big ones, right? Like or the Blazers or a Gary Payton or the Knicks just couldn't get through Jordan. Like let's be honest, John Harbaugh's biggest issue is they couldn't beat Mahomes. Lamar couldn't beat Mahomes. He was struggling to beat Andy Reid. But they're making AFC championships recently. They've won a Super bowl more recently. I don't feel like the ecosystem with Baltimore is outdated. In Pittsburgh I do. Once again, they can't run the football. What's that? Seven straight years? I mean, go ask yourself when's the last time a Mike Tomlin team beat an elite franchise quarterback in the playoffs? Go, go ahead and look. I went this morning. Mike Tomlin since 2009. 06 against Peyton Manning, Mahomes, Rogers Brady, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. So I don't feel like Tomlin and I'd hire him in a second if I was the Miami Dolphins or Tennessee Titans. It's not that he can't coach. Same with Sean McDermott. I'd hire Sean McDermott in a second in Tennessee or a second in Miami. But when I hear that, well, Harbaugh and Tomlin, I don't feel the same with those two. I, I, I, I mean all you have to know is the Steelers have the second oldest roster in the NFL and spend the most money on defense. That's the influence of Tomlinson, who's a, still an, an elite motivator. The Ravens, they spend their money mostly on offense. I mean they'll pay for Kyle Hamilton great safety. They should. They'll pay for a great guy in the defensive line. They should. But I don't feel the same. Here's Harbaugh when he's asked about he and Mike Tomlin's future.

Mike Vrabel (10:58)

Really don't have the space for that. You know, it's just not something that you have the ability to. To. To think about. It's not important. It was important. It had an impact and a bearing. You know, then I think you think about it, but you think about. Because it's always that way, you know, so it's probably all that stuff makes it all kind of interesting and kind of fun and real. It's sports, you know, that's how sports are. And I think that's part of the intrigue of it all. So I feel like really honored to be a part of that.

Colin Cowherd (11:30)

My wife talks about this all the time. As you age, she says everybody gets older. Just try to stay current. The Steelers don't necessarily. With all the money they spend on defense, the age of the roster, the quarterback mass, they can't run the ball for seven years in an offensive league. The Steelers don't feel current to me. Baltimore does. I like their ownership, the front office, their head coach, their quarterback. They can even win Huntley, the backup quarterbacks, good. They get efficient play when Lamar doesn't play, but. So it doesn't feel the same to me. I can like a coach, Sean McDermott and think it may be time if they lose in round one. And I can like a coach. I think Tomlin would be a great TV guy. He probably doesn't. He show no interest in that. He doesn't want to do college. But I just. I feel like we're at the end of the line here. I do like Baltimore to win the game because it's a rivalry. It will be low scoring and close. But you know my feeling. It's 23, 20, 2017. I would lean with what I believe is the more current organization, the more offensively friendly organization. I would take the Ravens to win that game. J Mac had a good week of. A good week of. Let's just say with the numbers this week, you know, it's interesting we have Mike Rabel on today that Stafford probably played his way out of the MVP last night. You know, it's a standalone game. Fair or not, those things always have major influence. But the biggest game yesterday, you could argue on Monday, excuse me, or Sunday was the Bills and the Eagles and Josh Allen couldn't score, didn't have a point until six minutes left. So to me, that opened the door for Drake May as mvp.

Jason McIntyre (13:10)

Well, let me ask. I mean, you watch that game. Jets getting throttled by the Patriots. There's a video clip of Mike Vrabel on the sideline up 353 essentially saying yeah, we're going to blitz and a bad word blank em. You know Vrabel's was really going all in on the Jets. I almost wondered maybe you got to a point. Maybe he was trying to get Drake made the MVP award. I don't know. They were pouring it on Colin in the in the second half.

Colin Cowherd (13:33)

Yeah, I don't think Vrabel's a guy that worries about any other coaches feelings or any other organization.

Jason McIntyre (13:40)

Was not forgotten among jets fans. Let's just say that like it'll matter.

Colin Cowherd (13:45)

In a few years or more.

Jason McIntyre (13:46)

Decent.

Colin Cowherd (13:46)

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

Jason McIntyre (13:56)

The iHeartRadio app 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 McIntyre on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Colin Cowherd (14:30)

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Colin Cowherd (17:04)

So let me get this straight. Your company has data here, there and everywhere, but your AI can't use the data because it's here, there and everywhere? Seems like something's missing. Every business has unique data. IBM helps your AI access your data wherever it lives. To change how you do business, let's create Smile to business IBM. Make your game day legendary with MGM Rewards. From unforgettable tailgate and viewing parties to world class dining, thrilling nightlife and entertainment that keeps energy going long after the final whistle. This is where fans come to celebrate. Show off your team spirit, cheer with friends and earn rewards on every experience you love. Because every play is bigger and every moment feels unforgettable in Las Vegas. So what are you waiting for? Make your game day legendary with MGM Rewards. Visit mgmrewards.com for details. With Drake May, it's structural. He plays within rhythm. He's very accurate. He's durable. He's tough.

Jason McIntyre (18:13)

He's.

Colin Cowherd (18:13)

He's an excellent leader. He gets the ball out quickly. It's hard to embrace that stuff. It doesn't feel as great. And a lot of people have said, well, they've got an easy schedule. You play the games in front of you. Shocker. The jets in Miami weren't good. Again, that's not his fault. Brady led that division for years. Buffalo, the jets In Miami, all three were bad. @ least Buffalo's viable now. So. And in the, in the eight quarters they played, the Bills, New England and May were better in six of them. So I just. It's a lot of times when you're doing like the NBA has always been about to a large degree, style. I mean, Westbrook is he a winning player, but he's a hall of Famer. Right. Like it's. Style matters, but it does in the NFL too. We like sacks from our guys up front. We like our quarterbacks. For years and years, when Brady was in New England, I mean, to the end, I was reading articles and you could tell people in the building, anonymous sources were saying, hey, a lot of guys could win here. Lot of quarterbacks could win here. Yeah. Could a lot of those guys go to Tampa and win a Super bowl first year? Could a lot of those guys do that? No, Brady did so. And Tom was on this show and talked about, you know, one of the elements where, where he and he and Drake may. May be similar. With Drake, he has the physical ability, he has the size, but I think in terms of physical skill set, his downfield passing ability is. Is awesome. So, you know, Josh McDaniels has done incredible job this year for the Patriots. Drake is running the same system that I was in. I know how good that system is for.

Mike Vrabel (19:58)

Quarterbacks. How Josh does teach these young.

Colin Cowherd (20:01)

Quarterbacks all the different reasons why he's doing what he's doing, why we're trying.

Mike Vrabel (20:05)

To beat this coverage or how we're.

Colin Cowherd (20:07)

Going to protect to give you the best chance to be successful. Drake has foxboroughed from Tom. He's got 12 games, 100 plus passer rating this year. That ties Tom Brady. And I also think a lot of times if you're a really good coordinator, you go to be a head coach and it doesn't work where we think less of you. Josh McDaniels has been the best coordinator. He's the OC now for the Patriots. There's an argument he's been the best coordinator 15 of the last 20 years in the NFL, maybe maybe 18 of 20. And so, you know, the Patriots, to me feel like Same owner, same oc, same stylistic quarterback. The difference is Vrabel is more player friendly than Belichick, but like Bill, super smart, culture builder, very demanding, doesn't pander. The difference is he's more player friendly which you have to be in 20, 25 and beyond. But it I know completion percentage doesn't turn people on, but when you can lead the league in that and yards per attempt downfield, that is special. 35 to 3 lead on the road just does not happen a lot. Think how good the Rams are. They were getting crushed on the road last night against a team that won't make the playoffs and a team in a wonky division. J Mac with the news no no no, turn on the.

Jason McIntyre (21:35)

News. This is the headline news. All right, let's bust right into it. The 49ers Colin the Big store in the NFL right now is their quest to be playing at home in the Super Bowl. They're just a few games away. All they got to do take down Seattle Saturday night. They are a small underdog as you see there on the screen. Kyle Shanahan is very excited. Said the 49ers have earned this, adding we love an opportunity to never leave here again entering the playoffs. Colin is a big one. It sounds like it's going to make your Blaze in five and I know you love going against Brock Purdy to the demise of your wallet over the.

Colin Cowherd (22:15)

Years. Well, I do think Purdy is a different quarterback when there's a pass rush. And you know, against Chicago it was kind of a passive game plan. And I also think, I think Seattle arguably right now is the most consistently good team in football. Half the half. Philadelphia may have a better roster but you don't know what you get offensively. Half to half Seattle's a handful now of course Sam Darnold when he faces pressure can get reckless. But you and I both know the one thing San Francisco does not do without blitzing is they don't create a pass rush. So I actually think it's not about Purdy and Darnold. I don't think either will be hyper effective. I think it's about Darnold and that run game without a lot of pressure had been successful this year. And Brock Purdy whether trailing to Seattle to pretty good first half team, whether trailing or facing pressure comes down in efficiency. So I think it's a very, very close game. Would not be shocked if San Francisco one but it should be noted again McCaffrey had another huge touch game. I just wonder how many of these you can stack up after.

Jason McIntyre (23:27)

Another. Yeah, I don't want to give away my pick yet, but Colin, I'm going to just give away. So two weeks ago, the Rams did whatever they wanted. Remember, up and down the field, 30 points. McVay was going on fourth down, ultra confident. Right. They end up scoring 37 in overtime. These are the other teams Seahawks have played recently. Carolina, which doesn't really have a functional offense all the time. Philip rivers, who is 45 years old going back to the sofa. Atlanta, and I believe that was Kirk Cousins in a disaster. And J.P. whatever. Brosmer, whatever. Max Brosmer, the kid in Minnesota. They haven't seen a good offense. The 49ers are going to score against these guys at will. I just don't. I'm really worried, Colin, about that 49ers pass rush and your boy Sammy D slinging. Sammy D. Can we get him to see some ghosts in the pocket? Maybe Robert Salah cook something up? I don't know. I just. Yeah, I don't.

Colin Cowherd (24:24)

Know. I think it's going to be one of the really, really entertaining game. And last week we got San Francisco and Chicago, which is as good a game as we've had this.

Jason McIntyre (24:32)

Year. You're not topping.

Colin Cowherd (24:33)

That. Come on. Well, I think it's going to be pretty good. I think it's going to be pretty.

Jason McIntyre (24:37)

Good. All right, let's move on to the Philadelphia Eagles. Colin and mysterious team right now. I don't know what to make of them. By the way, it looks like they will host the Rams in the first.

Colin Cowherd (24:47)

Round. Holy.

Jason McIntyre (24:47)

Hell. That's a game. Anyways, Nick Sirianni, you know, he's getting a lot of questions about that second half where they had 17 yards. They've won two games. Colin, where Jalen hurts, did not throw a. A complete. A pass in the second half. Zero completions and they won them. That's staggering. Anyway, here's Nick Sirianni talking about the offensive game plans after.

Colin Cowherd (25:07)

Halftime. I got to help. I put it on myself. I got to help, you know.

Mike Vrabel (25:12)

With some things there, with some things that I know we want to get called. You know, Kevin did a good job in that first half, but I.

Colin Cowherd (25:19)

Got to help in that second half a little bit. Getting some things that we want.

Mike Vrabel (25:22)

To get called there and then, you know, in execution, it's. It's everything, right? And so obviously I'm not going.

Colin Cowherd (25:30)

To get too much into.

Mike Vrabel (25:31)

It. I have some thoughts, you know, and we'll go back and look at.

Colin Cowherd (25:33)

It. But a lot of things that.

Mike Vrabel (25:35)

We can do Differently and better there in the second.

Colin Cowherd (25:37)

Half. The Philadelphia Eagles remain the enigma of the league. They're. Listen, it's crazy. They regularly don't complete three passes in halves and win all of those games in a passing league. I mean, so. And I get. I'll give Sirianni credit. I didn't think he was ready for the job when he got it. But you know what he does really, really well. He steps to the microphone. He takes a bullet. He's always willing to say, it's on me. And that's. That's like leadership. It's real easy to point fingers. We've seen coaches and quarterbacks, one of them in Pittsburgh, that love to point fingers. When things don't go right, Sirianni takes it. He's always like, yeah, it's me. So Philadelphia does. Philadelphia is the only professional football organization in America, okay? That does what bad teams do. They fire coaches who get to the Super Bowl. They get rid of quarterbacks that win Super Bowls. They hire coaches who aren't quite ready for it. They take players with red flags that other teams take off their board. They literally have halves where they're the worst offense in the league. They have drama in the locker room with a quarterback and a receiver. They. All this. If I just wrote down on a list what they do, coach can job with fans, you'd be like, oh, that's got to be like, is that. Is that. Is that the Saints? Is that the Jets? You're like, no, it's a Philadelphia Eagles, a dominant professional football organization. So I think there's something about Philadelphia that you can't deny any industry you're in. When you are as passionate and you care as much as Philadelphia does about the NFL and you got a smart owner and a smart gm, and you're willing to move off and into people quickly, it trumps a lot of other little frailties or vagaries you have in the.

Jason McIntyre (27:35)

Organization. Yeah, it's interesting, Colin. I know some Eagles fans, you know, where I spent some years in outside of Philadelphia. They almost are like, hey, man, this season, so stressful and exhausting. If we lose in the first round, it's not the worst thing in the world because maybe Sirianni gets fired. And I got to ask you, like, it's in play that they could make a run to the Super Bowl. The defense is that good, but at the same time, they could lose to the Rams in the first round, and maybe that's what they need. Get Sirianna out of here. Right? Can you do that? Can you fire him after he goes Super.

Colin Cowherd (28:06)

Bowl? I don't think they will because I think he's grown into the job. I think he's grown up. I think we have to be fair. You know, I always tell my kids this. When you get a job, you shouldn't be ready for it. Your resume should be ready for it. You shouldn't be ready for it. You should bail water for six weeks. Sirianni, I didn't think year one was ready for the job, but I got to give him credit. I think he's more mature now. He's grown up. He's better. He takes one for the team. And there is something about Philadelphia. He almost feels like an occasional caller on WIP radio. Oh.

Jason McIntyre (28:37)

God. That's what you aspire to. So, Colin, earlier you were like, hey, he's really good at the podium. He says, my bad. My fault. I messed up. Colin, if you went to management every single day after the show and said, yeah, we had a bad one. I was on me. And then you did it the next day and the next week. Because that's what Sirianni is doing. Well, every week he's taking.

Colin Cowherd (28:56)

Bullets. I'm not saying he's as secure as Shanahan or as secure as Ryan's or McVeigh or Hardball. I'm not saying he's that secure. I'm saying I don't think he's in trouble. Should.

Jason McIntyre (29:09)

He? Maybe that's a better question. Should he be? If they lose in the first round, I'm done with them. Get out. You got too good of a team. This is an awesome team. He can't fix the offensive.

Colin Cowherd (29:19)

Coordinator. It's a very good.

Jason McIntyre (29:20)

Roster. Prattled on a little too long. All right, let's wrap up. Colin. Andy Reid, you know, there is some concern. Well, you know, Kelsey's retiring. Maybe Andy Reid just steps down. Not so fast. Andy Reid sounds like he has no doubt going to decide he's going to continue as head coach of the Chiefs here. Is Reed talking about that.

Mike Vrabel (29:42)

Situation? No, I'm. Listen, I'm. I think I'm coming back, right? If they'll have me back, I'll come back. You never know in this business.

Colin Cowherd (29:54)

Matt. So that's.

Mike Vrabel (29:55)

A. You know, that's a. That's a tough one, but I plan on.

Colin Cowherd (29:59)

It. Yeah, well, the good news for them is that they got a better draft position. They don't have to draft. I mean, honestly, it's a very. I think it's a very good first round. It's not going to be as good at quarterback, very good at tackle, they could use a.

Sponsor/Ad Voice (30:11)

Tackle.

Jason McIntyre (30:12)

I've. I've been. I'm working on my first mock.

Colin Cowherd (30:14)

Draft. Here you.

Jason McIntyre (30:15)

Are. What if Jeremiah Love is available? The Notre Dame running.

Colin Cowherd (30:18)

Back? I would take.

Jason McIntyre (30:20)

Him. Would you take him over a.

Colin Cowherd (30:21)

Tackle? Yes. Well, well, well. Let me say it again. I would not take Love over the two best tackles in this first round. One from Utah, one from Miami. I would probably take him over the third best tackle, also from.

Jason McIntyre (30:35)

Utah. Well, the kid at Alabama, Kaden Proctor, All American. I mean, again, you saw Mahomes. When you don't have his tackle, you know the guy. The wide receivers don't have time to run the routes. You can work without the most.

Colin Cowherd (30:49)

Great left tackles in the history of football. 28 of 35 first round. There's a lot of great running backs in the third round and beyond. So you. There's an argument. Get a running back later. I mean, look at this kid. The Chicago Bears have had a Rutgers 7. I mean, the kid is such a grinder. He's such a good player.

Jason McIntyre (31:07)

Yeah. He helped carry me to the fantasy football championship over your boy, Jeff Schwartz. Yeah, baby. It was a good.

Colin Cowherd (31:14)

Weekend. It was good. J. Mac with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by the Herd lie news. No college football playoff starts tomorrow. I think Ohio State, Miami's really good game. I like Ohio State, but I think it's really close. I was thinking about this with the Buffalo Bills. This is crazy. Since week 10, this is with Josh Allen, Pro bowl left tackle James Cook, excellent tight ends. Since week 10, the Buffalo Bills are 23rd in the NFL in first half scoring. That is below Shador Sanders and the Cleveland Browns. Basically, the Bills offense is Josh Allen. Save us in the second half. So their first half point differential is 23rd. And if you want to know who's really good scoring in the first half, McVeigh, Kyle Shanahan, Ben Johnson in Chicago, Vrabel, Josh McDaniels in New England. And what's crazy is if you look at the construct of the Bills, you would think with a great left tackle, great run game, good tight end, best quarterback in the league, that they would score a lot of points early and then they would lean on James Cook in their run game to eat the clock in the second half and win going away. In fact, it's actually remarkable that they are the number one run team in the league when they trail in seven of their last eight games in the second half. So that that's but when I look at Buffalo, I have had them at like 10th. Nick Wright finally loves Buffalo. And my take is how do you win a Super Bowl? I mean, it's one thing the Eagles, you don't know what you get half to half. But they have great first halves and great second halfs. How do you win a Super bowl when you trail in the second half out of seven out of eight games? So I like I've said before that something isn't clicking when you have a great running back, a great left tackle, an amazing quarterback, excellent tight ends, and you are constantly coming from behind. Greg Cosell has talked about Buffalo and what he sees on film. So they're really not that good a football team. And I know that there's been a lot of talk about, well, this is Josh Alingier and if he doesn't make it, you know, that is so silly. They're just not that good overall from a talent perspective and they've got no receiving core. So it's, they're a hard team. They have to scheme up everything.

Mike Vrabel (33:41)

On offense and then hope that Josh Allen in a given game makes Josh Allen.

Colin Cowherd (33:46)

Plays. So listen, I understand too Kansas City's feeling this. When you have to draft at the bottom of the first round, it's hard. Most GMs I've talked to would trade out of the first round. If you're drafting 20th and lower, you'd rather pay second round prices. Their second round talent, there's about 15 to 17, maybe 18 in a good year. Real true first round talent. And I think this, if, if, if I think it's a really good first round. Good tackles, good edge rushers, couple big time linebackers, one great quarterback. But it is remarkable this team doesn't score in the first half. It's just, it's, it's just playing from behind. I, I'll give them credit. They should not be this good now they'll beat the Jets Sunday, but they really shouldn't be this good. You should not trail week after week. In the second half, they were scoreless with six minutes to go at home against Philadelphia and it came down to a two point conversion which they should hit on Mike Vrabel, Patriots coach Next, it's the Herd. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio. FS1 and the iHeartRadio app PCs powered by Snapdragon X Elite processors are made to go the distance with blazing fast performance. Next level efficiency. Snapdragon processors are built to tackle it all from highlight reel editing to intense player research making it all feel effortless. And with multi day battery life, you got true freedom all right without being tethered to an outlet. So from long video calls to all day fantasy drafts, your laptop stays ready so you can be at the top of your game. It's the kind of performance your lifestyle demands, so make sure your next PC is powered by Snapdragon. Learn more at snapdragon.com laptops Snapdragon the heart of your PC. Battery life varies significantly based on devices, setup, usage and other factors. Love the night Reach for Zynn After Dark, a limited cocktail inspired series for those who get up when the sun goes down. Try Zynn's Mojito Spiced Cider and Espresso Martini Nicotine Pouches. Find them at select retailers. Available while supplies last. Zynn After Dark Bring on the night. This product contains.

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Colin Cowherd (37:15)

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Mike Vrabel (39:29)

Yeah. And we. And I. And I appreciate you recognizing that. I think we wanted to have a program in place on April 7 that the players would be proud of, that they wanted to take ownership of and they wanted to try to protect. So it's everything around the players, making sure that that's good and it's sound, everything that touches them. Great staff, great support staff. And then when they get back in here, I wanted it to feel different. I wanted it to have an energy to it. And we were intentional with, you know, with getting to know each other all, you know, everybody's journey to this National Football League. It looks a little different whether it's a coach or a player, draft pick, high draft pick, you know, free agent, whatever it may be. But everybody's got a different journey to this league, and they've got a different story. And we. We were intentional with trying to find out what those were. And then. Then the play started, you know, then we started installing plays. But I felt like, what was important in the off season was that we try to get the right people in the building at the right time with Elliot, Ryan and Stretch and everybody that was involved in that process through free agency and the draft and everything.

Colin Cowherd (40:32)

Else. Yeah, Elliot's a sharp guy. All the GMs I know in the league thinks he really, really like him. When did you know. Was there a moment that you said privately, you. Maybe you didn't tell the players, or maybe you did that you went to your staff and you said, guys, we're good, like, right now. Like, was there an epiphany for you, Mike, watching film, thinking maybe we're a little better than a 9 or a 10 win team. We were 12, 13 win.

Mike Vrabel (40:55)

Team. No, I don't think I ever really thought that. I think that we just try to improve. You know, I try to tell them things that have helped me through the, you know, 30 years of being in this league, of trying to improve along the way. And the teams that continue to improve are the ones that get to play in January and in the postseason. And we try to do that, you know, focus on some keys, focus on building an identity, and then once you build something that you care about, you try to protect.

Colin Cowherd (41:25)

It. You made a comment in camp that I remember, and I talked about it on the air. You said in camp, hey, to be great, you got to be a leader every day. Drake may. Every day you gotta lead. And it was almost like you were kind of pushing him. Like, kid, I know you're the youngest guy in the locker room. Was that your intention? That it. It is hard to be 23 and lead men that are often 33. Was that your intention when you said.

Mike Vrabel (41:51)

That? Yeah, and I think, you know, all the. Anything that I've said publicly, I've. I've said, you know, obviously privately to. To our players or staff or anybody else. So that wasn't. I've never tried to send a message through the media, but it. Just talking about maturity. I don't think maturity has anything to do with age. It has everything to do with experience and what, you know, Drake went through last year in his first year, and the things that he experienced and what he. The opportunities that he had and then going into the second season and learning a new offense and, you know, building and the training camp. And I think you just start to see each and every day, you know, his spirit, his passion, his energy, his leadership, how much he puts into this, the excitement that he has for everybody on the football team when they have success. I mean, he's into this when the defense, defensive guys, and we played a bunch of guys last week in the jets game, he stayed in the game and he's supporting every single guy. So I think his maturity has grown extremely high since I first met him in January or whenever it.

Colin Cowherd (42:57)

Was. You're a defensive guy, yet you feel very current with offense. That is not the case with a lot of defensive coaches. They just don't feel like they quite have a sensibility for. How do you stay connected to offense when your history is on the other.

Mike Vrabel (43:14)

Side? Well, spent a little time on offense back in the day, but I would say just having the experience to be in Tennessee and be the head coach there and, you know, one of our best players, or if not our best player was. Was Derrick Henry and how important the run game was to us, and I guess maybe having a son that was an offensive lineman, I gravitated towards that room. I tried to learn. I tried to understand blocking schemes. But I also felt like, as a defensive player, I wanted to know what the scheme was or what the other guy across from me, what his job was, and maybe that would help me do my job. Sitting in a lot of meetings and try to learn from, you know, the coaches, the coordinators and. Because I feel like the one thing that I can do is have a connection with. With each and every player in every position. I can just have one or two things about the game plan or something that they can do to, you know, help them do their job better. That's an immediate connection, especially during the season. I can. I can walk in and say, hey, you know, this is how they're running their games, or this is the pressure or whatever it may be. If I can just have one thing that's. That's a good connection for me or good place for me to be able to enter into a.

Colin Cowherd (44:30)

Meeting. Mike, you have a. When you sit after a game, you stand up and you meet every player, you obviously connect with players. Is the hardest part of your job when you have to bark and not be a friendly guy because you're a guy that really connects emotionally. What happens when you have to turn on that guy the next day at practice and bark? Is that a tough.

Mike Vrabel (44:50)

Thing? Well, we've always talked about that. When you can make a connection with somebody and you, you know, you get on guys. I got to protect the team. That's my job. I tell them that I don't have to do it all the time, that they can do it, and if they don't and I'm more than happy to step in and do that. I know how hard their job is. That's why I've always stood out there. Win or lose. Thank them for what they do out there on the football field. We don't take those things or opportunities for granted. There's a lot of pressure on them to perform personally and also for this team. And so there's never. I'm trying to be demanding and not be demeaning and certainly try to work on the way that I. My tone in the way that I try to hold everybody.

Colin Cowherd (45:42)

Accountable. Does Brady ever call you and try to give you tips on Drake Mayer or anything like that? Has he ever text you or anything like.

Mike Vrabel (45:48)

That? Nah, we're all set right.

Colin Cowherd (45:51)

Now. I try to give him tips on broadcasting. He doesn't want to listen to that either, so he.

Mike Vrabel (45:57)

Should. Yeah, he should pay.

Colin Cowherd (46:00)

Attention. Hey, good luck. Congrats. Really happy for you, Mike. You've kicked butt.

Mike Vrabel (46:05)

Yeah. Thank you for your support. I appreciate.

Colin Cowherd (46:07)

It. You bet. Mike Frable. Yeah, I mean, I. I thought they were going to be really good. I thought they were going to be a playoff team. I didn't think they were going to be this good. I didn't like the receiving core last year at all. I thought they were just slow and didn't have any juice and they've been outstanding. So. Speaking of coaches, did you see, I don't use this word very often. Courageous. Did you see the courageous Lincoln Riley yesterday, willing to go to the podium and confront the issue with the Notre Dame USC rivalry and admit publicly that they should be playing? Here's Lincoln Riley at Notre Dame. Lived up to their word and played us anytime, anywhere. We would be playing in the next two years and looking ahead after that and hopefully continuing the series. They did not follow through on it. Thus we are not playing them the next couple years. We're hopeful something can, can, can be worked out in the future. That'd be fantastic. We at SC would love for the game to continue and we have no problem following through on our promises in the future. Yeah, that's what courage looks like. Let me ask the former angry USC Trojan players something who are mad this, for the time being anyway, that this game won't take place. Let me ask you former Trojans something. Are any of you business people or entrepreneurs? Okay, if you are, if you went into business with somebody and that person had a side deal that could potentially cut you out of profits, you still want to do business with that person? You do. Gosh, I'd like to do Business with you. Then I'll have some side deals. You're okay with Notre Dame side deal. Which this year, if they had it, would have knocked Miami out of the College Football Playoff. The Miami that went to Texas A and M and 1 and has the ability to beat Ohio State tomorrow night. You'd be comfortable with that side deal. In fact, USC next year could go 9 and 2 in the regular season, be ranked 10th, Notre Dame could be ranked 12th and Notre Dame would get in and USC would get knocked out because of automatic bids. You're okay with that? Yeah. I'm not going to apologize because I care more about trophies than tradition, money than mementos. Sorry I do. But I'm going to give Notre Dame credit for this. Notre Dame is clearly prioritizing due to the side deal. The playoff. Notre Dame used to play Michigan every year. If they don't, they got over it. Go look at Notre Dame schedule. Notre Dame said, no, we're not going to go play USC in September. We know we have a weak schedule. We're not going to do it because Notre Dame prioritized getting into the playoff. The former Trojans that are angry seems to me are prioritizing history. Like, I'm not going to apologize because I use AI in the Internet. Like, USC shouldn't have to apologize because they're prioritizing because their schedule as a fully committed member to the Big Ten is brutal. @ Indiana, at Penn State, Oregon, Washington, Ohio State, Iowa. Yeah, we'll play it. But you got a side deal. So here's our deal. We're playing early. That's all. USC said you got a side deal. So here's our deal. We're not playing you in the middle of the Big Ten schedule. We got a trigonometry final. You got home x 6 times. So, you know, I appreciate Lincoln Riley going out and saying, you know, we, we kept up on our deal. But just ask yourself, if you're a Trojan and you're angry, if you went into business with somebody and that person had a side deal that could cut you out of profits at the end of the deal, you still want to do the deal. Really? You're that naive? Well. Well, I mean, they used to be trustable. Contractually, they have a side deal, cut you out of the profits. This was the only thing USC could do. It was the only smart thing USC could do. It may hurt your feelings. You may not like the lack of embrace toward history. I get that. I understand if you played the game, you love the game. But let me give you a heads up all you former Trojans on business. If your partner's got a side deal that can cut you out of the profits, you may hire a lawyer and wiggle out of the deal because it's not a good deal for you. It would be a great deal for Notre Dame. We get your strength of schedule and we get you after you just played Ohio State or Michigan or Oregon. Yeah, we'd love to play USC and not October. Fresh off being in Columbus the week before. That's great for Notre Dame. PCs powered by Snapdragon X Elite processors are made to go the distance with blazing fast performance, next level efficiency and multi day battery life. Snapdragon processors are built to tackle it all, from highlight reel editing to intense player research so you can be at the top of your game wherever the day takes you. Learn more@snapdragon.com laptops Snapdragon the heart of your PC. Battery life varies significantly based on device settings, usage and other factors. What a matchup we.

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Colin Cowherd (51:56)

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