A (3:28)

Well, I mean, you know, you and I met years ago at the Kingdom back in Seattle. And even a guy like Lou Piniella, who's more cut out of, you know, Bill Belichick or Nick Saban, you know, very hard. I love them like a dad. And he was a great teacher. I don't know if that works in today's game. The reason why I like Aaron Boone so much is it's a no win situation for him upstairs. They make the lineup, if it works, they get the credit. And if you lose, Boone's in the hot seat. So I rather see after the games, you know, Mike Fish, Cashman, the analytics explaining why they're making the moves, why they have three left handed catchers. So I think Boone is, you know, I mean, they got just destroyed up there in Toronto the first two games. And I don't think anyone could have won those games as a manager.

B (4:12)

Well, yeah, when you go to a deciding game in the playoffs, game one, you can't win. I mean, the Cubs found this in Milwaukee. When you go to these deciding games and you, you know, sometimes you empty the bullpen. So Aaron Judge is, in a world that you lived in, it's Aaron's hitting in the series. It's not about that. In New York, he's got to have a three run bomb in the eighth. And I do think it's different in New York. I said this last week, even compared to Dodger Stadium, which is a jewel. The pressure in New York, the talk radio in New York, the intensity of New York, people are a little ruder. Fans are a little more gruff and blunt. Do you feel he hasn't had the moment in the postseason? You were there, you know, the pressure. Do you think it weighs on him?

A (4:57)

Of course it weighs on him. And I don't think Aaron's going to admit that. I didn't admit that when I struggled. But in New York it compounds at a much higher rate. Right. If you struggle in Milwaukee or secondary market, it compounds, but it doesn't compound at the rate of the snowball of New York, which I felt now, I think you said the perfect word. I think one of the most misleading stats in baseball is people look at stats as the end of all. It's really about moments. Look at the moments of Yankee history, whether it's 77, Reggie Jackson with the three homers or Aaron Boone with the walk off against the Red Sox or Mr. November. Do you remember what Reggie had in that series? Or Aaron Boone or Jeter? You don't, but you remember those moments. I think what Aaron Boone, what, what Judge needs is a couple big moments and forget about the stats. Go 1 for 13. If that base is loaded when he had, when he struck out, if he hits a double or a home run, you're a hero. You're a hero and you're one for 13. So enough with the stats. Get big moments. Help your team win.

B (5:55)

You know, it's I, I, I have credited the Yankees, I've said, listen, the jets, the Giants, Brooklyn Nets, now you're an NBA owner. They've all been chaotic. They're firing and hiring the Yankees. Brian Cashman, 30 years, they've had three managers. 30 years. They're almost patient to a fault. George Steinbener created almost like Bill Parcells. He created chaos because it created clarity. That's not Aaron's style. That, that was Parcel style. That was Billy Martin style with Reggie. Do you think they should be less patient? I mean, would you shake things up if they get beat in tonight or in a game four?

A (6:38)

It's a really. And by the way, Billy Martin was Lupinella's teacher, right? So I felt in many ways the connective tissue. But it's funny, what you see with the Yankees is you see no turnover with manager in Cashman, but you see incredible turnover with that roster. Now, if you go back three years, the only two people standing are Vopey and Judge and you have 24 new players. And what I found, when you win and you have teams that have been ultimately very successful, whether it's the spurs in basketball, Belichick and the Patriots and Brady in football, you look at the Dodgers core, it takes about four years to kind of come together and cement and for me there's just too many turnovers. If they lose now, there'll Be a completely different turnover next year and you'll have Boone coming back and you have Cashmere coming back. So I just think you need to stick. Imagine if Soto was there for two or three years with Judge, or four years. They'll win a championship, almost guaranteed. But a one and out, tough to do.

B (7:33)

I want to talk about the Dodgers. I've said this about the Yankees the last two years. If you watch the Yankees last year in the World Series when Garrett Cole didn't pitch, they looked overmatched athletically by the Dodgers. Now the Yankees have always beaten up on the American League Central. I feel this team is uneven. It's very home run dependent. They don't sacrifice, they don't play small ball. The bullpen shaky. The Dodgers are different. They're not uneven. They just have a bad bullpen inning. Seven and eight are white knuckle. They have to go in with a 4 to 5 nothing lead or a 5 run lead. When you know the bullpen is your flaw as a player. Are at bats different? Do you think differently? Is there more intensity? Dodger players all know this is star studded. But last night they took a 4 nothing lead. And I'm like, I think that's enough. Did it change? Did the players know? Listen, we have a bad bully. Your at bats get more intense. Do you. Do you manage differently when you have that back end that struggles?

A (8:33)

By the way, I think you know Doc Roberts, it's the unsung hero. I mean, he's just such a great job with that team. And it's hard to do, by the way, because there's a lot of moving parts in L. A, right? There's a lot of noise, there's a lot of media, big fan base. But I think the Dodgers are the complete package. It doesn't matter. They're going to beat you 10 or 10 to 1. It reminds me of the old 90s Yankees when they won four titles, where they're going to beat you any way you want to play in the trenches, pitching 1 0, 10 0. They're going to win the Dodgers that way. They made three of the most unbelievable plays in the 19 yesterday. Unbelievable. The Muncie play. Mookie bet like right. It's like a quarterback hitting a wide receiver on the run with no force. He has a tag and then you go to Freeman, goes to his right and throws a strike to Mookie for a force. And then he picks it a very tough pick to end the game where the second baseman throws like a little bit of a Jellyfish. Those are the hardest ones. Cuz if it's a, if it's a bullet, you can scoop it. But when it's a. A little soft, like a little dead fish, it's like they're unbelievable. And I, I don't see anybody stopping the Dodgers.

B (9:35)

Yeah, Judge, I feel because it's an uneven roster, has pressure. I don't feel that with Otani. Freddie Freeman can carry this team. I mean, Mookie Bets struggled in September. I think he had a stomach illness. He got illness. He got really hot in September. I don't feel this team. Even though Ohtani is Babe Ruth, he's R.A. babe Ruth. I don't feel there's pressure on him. Do you?

A (9:56)

Well, I mean, there's always some pressure, obviously, and, and he has tremendous pressure from his country because he's like the biggest thing in Japan, right? The greatest ambassador. But what I will say is look at Game 1 against the Phillies. 0 for 4, 4 strikeouts, 3 looking, and they still win. It's almost impossible for the Yankees to win if Judge comes up over five with four punch outs. It's not going to happen. So to your point, less pressure than Judge, but they do have an incredible complimentary set of, you know, and a great roster.

B (10:23)

You know, it's interesting. The forgotten man for the Dodgers is TE Oscar Hernandez. They're so good. He was a Yankee killer last year. Remember when they went in the regular season to New York and he just ate him alive. If you ever wonder if the Dodgers are great, it's like when I was a kid growing up, the Reds were so loaded. Nobody talked about Tony Perez. Right, right, right. It was like, oh, Rose and Griffey and Bench and like Morgan and you're like Tony Perez, an all Star. That's what I feel about TE Oscar Hernandez.

A (10:51)

He turns into Manny Ramirez in October.

B (10:53)

It's incredible.

A (10:53)

It's phenomenal.

B (10:54)

Rate of a player. He is. Okay, so I grew up a Mariners fan. I go to ebay and look at the old stuff. I've got a soft spot in my heart. You do as well. So what's great about baseball right now? Milwaukee's a small market. Even though Seattle is very corporate centric, it's viewed as kind of a small market. I think some of its geography, it's a long road trip, it's a long way, it's rough on a team over the course of a season. I've argued that that's why the Vancouver Grizzlies didn't work in the NBA. It's a beautiful City. You've been there.

A (11:26)

Yeah.

B (11:27)

It's a long road trip for 82 games. Do the Mariners, Munoz in the back end, Raleigh. Do the Mariners have enough? Can they be, can they get through the American League or is it just a great story with a handful of really special players?

A (11:43)

No, I think they can get through. And the fact they have home home field advantage, to your point, is very challenging for them. But it's even more challenging if a team's coming from New York or from Toronto or from Florida and the Pacific Northwest. They own that quadrant, part of the US Incredible fan base, great TV numbers, the players are extremely popular. And by the way, while everyone's looking at the big dumper right in rally of stars born with Julio Rodriguez, who has the it factor to be one of maybe even the next, you know, Aaron Judge.

B (12:18)

How do you explain Milwaukee has the people say, best young gm, best manager, both leave. Cubs take one, Mets take the other, they replace them. It's like, yeah, they'll miss a beat. Is it? Do you explain Milwaukee, I mean last night, just power. Do you explain it through great drafting and development? I mean it's not like they just go outspend people. How do you explain in a sport with no salary cap, it's got a Packers feel. They shouldn't be this good for 35 years. The brewers shouldn't be this complete. How do we explain it?

A (12:51)

Well, you have. I'm a big believer in leadership. Pat Murphy's an incredible coach. He recruited me at Arizona State 100 years ago when he was there. Great communicator, no BS and they play old school style baseball. They're not a home run team. They don't give up home runs. They don't hit home runs. They're hitting them now when it counts.

B (13:08)

Right.

A (13:08)

And in that stadium. That's a great comp to the packers, that fan base. I started my career in 1994 in Appleton, Wisconsin. Incredible fans, very smart, rabid, loud. They love their team. And that's a team that's in a run. Look, they haven't been in this position since 1982 when they lost to the Cardinals in the World Series. There's a magic about them that they play good, solid baseball.

B (13:31)

Yeah, you know it. When I was a kid growing up, you're a baseball savant. You have the great history of it. And I'm going to go old school. I, I mean forget Mol and Robin Yount people forget how good the Twins and the brewers were in the 70s and early 80s. And it was Rod like Rod Carew for the Twins and. And the brewers had all these people sometimes forget how great of a baseball market Milwaukee is. Indeed, that you just forget about it because, you know, the Cubs get all the glare down in Chicago. How is baseball? And this is a kind of a macro topic because you have such a instinct for the sport. So, Rob Manfred, we're gonna speed the game up, gonna make the bases bigger. We're gonna do universal dh. I think baseball had a really different. Rob Manfred looked at baseball and said, we got a lot of traditionals, and they're wrong on a lot. I think this is as healthy as baseball has been since I was a kid. Now, am I wrong? Am I missing something? What are you hearing? What are you seeing?

A (14:36)

Well, I don't know if. As if you were a kid. I mean, you got to remember this. And I think people forget this. Colin in Bill Buckner ball goes through the wickets. Right? In 1986, game seven, you had 55 million people watch that game. When the Red Sox came back against us in 2004, we were up 3, 0. You know, you had 30, 35 million people watching on Fox. So that was an extraordinary time in a different era. But the game has never been healthier. And Rob Manford, Tony Clark, the leaders of this game have done a great job. I think the only thing in the horizon that scares me a little bit is work stoppage, potentially in a couple years. But as far as the post season, I've been doing this now with Kevin Burkhardt for almost 11 years. And these last two years are as exciting as I've seen them.

B (15:19)

Unbelievable. And again, Milwaukee, Seattle, San Diego's not a big market.

A (15:24)

You have 40 million people in Toronto. I mean, there's one team in that country. Talk about pride. You go to Rogers Center. I'll tell you what, you better pack your lunch. There are a handful up there. Very, very tough place to win.

B (15:34)

Alex Rodriguez, it's great seeing you. We took you one minute long. You're a busy guy. Are you here for business, I take it? And no, I'm here for show. So you're literally. You get here this early. So the Mariners are on right after us. Aren't the Mariners on right now?

A (15:46)

We have two games. We have the Mariners and then we have the Yankees for the primetime on Fox.

B (15:50)

Okay, great seeing you.

A (15:51)

Great seeing you.

B (15:52)

Love having you here.

A (15:53)

Thank you.

B (15:53)

One more herd. The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week, within the iHeartRadio app search heard to listen live or on demand. Whenever you'd like he's Mike Carmen. I'm Dan Byer and we have a fantasy football podcast called I Want yout Flex. That's right, Dan. Every week we're gonna scour the waiver wire to find the pickups to turbo boost your fantasy lineup. Sits starts fantasy football players rankings to get you ready to dominate the competition. Listen to I Want yout Flex with Mike Harmon and me, Dan Beyer on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine never buying gas again. EVs are as easy to charge as your phone and perfect for everyday life. Drive daily with confidence everywhere you go. Most Americans drive 40 miles a day. Most EVs are equipped with 200 to 400 miles of range. They've got fewer parts, fewer repairs, and fewer headaches. With hundreds of new and used EV models available today, there's an EV to fit every lifestyle and every budget. I love my electric vehicle. It's easy. No more gas stations. The way forward is electric. Learn more@electric for all.org Today's episode brought to you by a scent that's made a legendary comeback degree Original Cool Rush the OG is back and better than ever. Cool Rush isn't just a scent, it's a movement. A fan favorite kind of fragrance guys remember, ask for by name and rave about online. It's bold. It's fresh all day. Sweat protection, cool crisp vibe that made it legendary. So whether you're heading to the gym, the office, or just trying to stay fresh all day long, Cool Rush has your back. It's the go to for millions and for good reason. So if you haven't tried it yet or you've been waiting for a sign, this is it. Head to your local Walmart target grab degree Cool Rush the fan favorite scent from the world's number one antiperspirant brand. This is one of the best times of the year to be a sports fan. It seems like every week we are seeing great games and even better matchups between the best teams in football. Speaking of great matchups, Green River Whiskeys Green River Gold Rush Cocktail this is out of this world. Okay, shake up some Green River Kentucky Straight bourbon, lemon juice and honey. I had one of these last night. Strain it over ice. It is out of this world. Doesn't get simpler, doesn't get better. Green river offers a great lineup featuring their Kentucky Straight, weeded, foolproof and Rye. Fall is also the perfect time to get yourself out to Kentucky and check out Green river in person. Incredible Distillery in Owensboro, Kentucky. They have taste tastings, VIP experiences and more. Check out Green River's tasting room in Louisville, located right on historic Whiskey Row. So head over to greenriverwhiskey.com learn more today. Try it for yourself. A product of Green River Distilling Company, Owensboro, Kentucky. Alcohol by volume varies by product. Greenriverwhiskey.com Please drink responsibly. Get almost anything you need delivered with UberEats. What do you mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered. A day at the lake. That's a no. A Philly cheesesteak? Very much a yes. An afternoon stroll? Sorry, no. A burrito bowl? Happily, yes. All right, delivery is on its way. I use it regularly. How about the clear skies? Can't deliver that. But French fries? Yeah. A little escape? No. Delicious bowl of grapes? Yeah. How about a freshly cut lawn? Can't help you there. But barbecued prawns? Order it now. Get almost. Almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. Product availability may vary by region. Seattle for details. All right, J. Mac with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news.

C (19:36)

All right, Colin, let's start with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They almost made your herd hierarchy top. Number one. They finished at number two. How about the start to the season? Man, Tampa's the first team in NFL history to win four games by three or fewer points in the first half.

B (19:52)

The opposite of the Lions this year. They bought nobody.

C (19:55)

They can't get margin. Baker talked about it after the walk off in Seattle.

B (20:00)

Obviously, I mean, the games we've had so far this year, as long as we have time on the clock, we got a chance. And our guys truly, truly believe that from the bottom of their hearts. So it's, that's a good feeling to have. And just guys executing, doing all the little things right. There's real value in winning like this. I mean, Kansas City last year struggled to run the football. Wide receiver room was a mess. O line struggled. They were great. In close games, there is incredible value. We've said this before in college football, when a team wins by blowout, you know, like Clemson in years, wins by a blowout. SEC teams, Big Ten teams are playing closer games every week. I think this pays dividends to be able to win close. You Kansas City last year got to the Super Bowl. Were they really the second most talented team? They had holes everywhere.

C (20:53)

So that's the problem our staff came up with. This is a crazy stat. So Four teams have trailed in the fourth quarter of every game this season, right? The jets who are winless. The Titans who stink and are 1 and 4. The Browns are 1 and 4. And Tampa, which is 41 trailing in the fourth quarter of every game this season. Well, there's a lot of luck involved.

B (21:13)

Well, no there's not.

C (21:14)

Yeah, at the end of games.

B (21:16)

Why? Look at those teams. Bucks, Browns, Titans, Jets. You think it's luck? Why is the one team four and one? Name the quarterbacks for the four teams. Flacco, Cam Ward, Justin Fields and MVP candidate. They're winning the games because of the quarterback.

C (21:36)

Yeah, I, I know it's fashionable to put Baker as an MVP candidate. There's zero chance he wins the MVP this year. None. So all this luck that involved when the. When the football bounces the other way later this season and they end up. I would 9, 8, 10 and 7.

B (21:49)

I wouldn't be so sure when you looked at that schedule. That Seattle game was a tough one. They're winning some of these games, the close ones that were tough games also. No Bucky Irving, no Evans. They're getting healthier.

C (21:59)

It was a great win. No doubt. I don't think it's sustainable. I'm going to go with San Francisco this week.

B (22:05)

Getting San Francisco is. Is the better side. The number. Has it gone to three yet?

C (22:10)

I saw three last when I last.

B (22:12)

If it goes to three, San Francisco.

C (22:14)

Is the side M. Jones or pie doesn't matter to you?

B (22:17)

Why would you sit Mac Jones, he's red hot. Why would you unless. Ps 100% healthy. Why would you do that?

C (22:25)

Purdy's a better quarterback.

B (22:28)

Slightly. Let me just say. What's the word? Less than slightly. Granularly? Barely.

C (22:37)

Definitely not a word. I don't think. Let's move on to the Bengals. They got the big trade last hour. Acquiring cement shoes Joe Flacco and a six round pick from the Browns. Cincinnati is moving on. It seems like from Jake Browning he has been a total disaster. Flacco will now compete for the starting job. They got the packers this week. Now listen man, I know Flacco is a smart savvy veteran. Are you really throwing him in against the packers defense off a bye? You think he could start this game Now I know the packers just gave up 40 to.

B (23:10)

The story isn't the Bengals, the story is Cleveland. So Cleveland has said basically we have two first round picks next year. We're going to play Dylan Gabriel and Shedeur but mostly Dylan Gabriel to figure out if we got the guy. That's what you have to do. Dylan Gabriel, again, little smaller than I'd like, but if this is, this is why they're doing it.

C (23:32)

Can we call this a soft tank?

B (23:34)

It's not as people don't tank in the NFL. They just don't have very many good players. What it is, is Cleveland saying, we've got two first round picks. Drew Aller, Cade Klubnick have not been overwhelming. We have a chance to have the number one pick. Let's let Shador and Dylan Gabriel play. That's what this is. Get Joe out of the building and let the young guys have the rest of the season. I think, I think it's really smart by Stefanski and Cleveland. Let's see. I mean, it's like what the Giants are doing with Jackson Dart. You can't, you can't make a decision off seven games. You got to give him 15 starts. Let's see if he can play and.

C (24:08)

You get a late round pick. You know, in addition, I just, I don't know how he's going to do anything. Flacco, that is with the Bengals, we. I think we. I like Dylan Gabriel more than you do. You don't seem keen on him. You like these big Drew Aller types.

B (24:22)

I like traits. Yeah.

C (24:24)

How'd that work out for Brock Osweiler?

B (24:26)

Listen, I was looking for a 6, 4 update guy. You were what was available.

C (24:29)

Yeah, because I was the best on the market, big guy. Final story is. Oh, this is shocking news from the college football world. North Carolina is backing out of its season long documentary. It was going to be on Hulu. They were going to chronicle Belichick's first year with the Tar Heels. The deal was just announced two months ago. Remember the rigmarole with Bill's girlfriend pulling the chain, pulling things behind the scenes and now all of a sudden it's gone. So Belichick, after getting smashed by Clemson, I guess he doesn't want that footage to see the light of day, huh?

B (25:02)

This has gone so poorly.

C (25:03)

So. But I was way. I thought this would go good. Belichick's a genius. It's college, the acc.

B (25:09)

Well, I thought they'd be. I thought they had a chance to win seven or eight games. I didn't think they'd get shelled by everybody on their side.

C (25:15)

They may not win five games.

B (25:16)

Oh, they're not going to win five games. They may not win three. They're not winning. And you know, again, it's. He's closed himself off. He did that in New England. How do you not get along with Robert Kraft? He's going to build your statue. I mean, you got to get over it. The minute Robert Kraft said, no, we're going to keep Brady and move on. Jimmy Garoppolo. Bill pouted. Bill never looked at him the same. Oh gosh. An owner said, listen, we're going to keep Brady, who went on to win a Super bowl in New England and Tampa. So Kraft and Brady were right.

C (25:48)

Yeah, it's a tough one for Bill. Man, Listen, this is I, I, we both know Mike Lombardi a little bit. Like things are spiraling in North Carolina.

B (25:56)

These are pro guys. They're not college guys.

C (25:59)

Do you I don't want to go too over with. Do you think they last more than one season there?

B (26:03)

No.

C (26:04)

I mean, what if they win three games and there's a mutiny and like they can't get anybody in the port? Do they run them out? Bill, this would be a rough ending.

B (26:12)

Was never a Saturday guy. I've said it. Urban Meyer was never a Sunday guy. These sports are totally different.

C (26:18)

This is like Willie Mays in the outfield with the Mets stumbling around. You're like, that's not Willie Mays that I know. You know, he's late career. Ah, it's a tough one for Bill.

B (26:27)

J. Mac with the news. Well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by the Herd lie news. You better get ready. Mariners in the World Series. I'm just telling you right now, you better get, you better get ready for it. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, Weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific. Imagine never buying gas again. EVs are as easy to charge as your phone and perfect for everyday life. Drive daily with confidence everywhere you go. Most Americans drive 40 miles a day. Most EVs are equipped with 200 to 400 miles of range. They've got fewer parts, fewer repairs and fewer headaches. With hundreds of new and used EV models available today, there's an EV to fit every lifestyle and every budget. I love my electric vehicle. It's easy. No more gas stations. The way forward is electric. Learn more at lectric for all.org Today's episode brought to you by Ascent that's made a legendary comeback degree. Original Cool Rush. The OG is back in better than ever. Cool Rush isn't just a scent. It's a movement, a fan favorite kind of fragrance guys remember, ask for by name and rave about online. It's bold. It's fresh all day. Sweat protection, cool crisp vibe that made it legendary. So whether you're heading to the gym, the office or just trying to stay fresh all day long. Cool Rush has your back. It's the go to for millions and for good reason. So if you haven't tried it yet or you've been waiting for a sign, this is it. Head to your local Walmart target grab degree. Cool Rush the fan favorite scent from the world's number one antiperspirant brand. This is one of the best times of the year to be a sports fan. It seems like every week we are seeing great games and even better matchups between the best teams in football. Speaking of great matchups, Green River Whiskeys Green River Gold Rush Cocktail this is out of this world. Okay, Shake up some Green River Kentucky Straight bourbon, lemon juice and honey. I had one of these last night. Strain it over ice. It is out of this world. Doesn't get simpler, doesn't get better. Green river offers a great lineup featuring their Kentucky Straight, weeded, foolproof and rye. Fall is also the perfect time to get yourself out to Kentucky and check out Green river in person. Incredible distillery in Owensboro, Kentucky. They have tastings, VIP experiences and more. Check out Green River's tasting room in Louisville, located right on historic Whiskey Row. So head over to greenriverwhiskey.com learn more today. Try it for yourself. A product of Green River Distilling Co. Owensboro, KY. Alcohol by volume varies by product. Green River Whiskey.com Please drink responsibly. Get almost anything you need delivered with UberEats. What do you mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered. A day at the lake? That's a no. A Philly cheesesteak? Very much a yes. An afternoon stroll? Sorry, no. A burrito bowl? Happily, yes. All right, delivery is on its way. I use it regularly. How about the Clear skies? Can't deliver that. But French fries? Yeah. A little escape? No. Delicious bowl of grapes? Yeah. How about a freshly cut lawn? Can't help you there but barbecued prawns? Order it now. Get almost almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. Product availability may vary by region. Seattle for details. Mariners at the Tigers Right after our show we'll be throwing to it. Blue Jays at the Yankees. A lot, lot of pressure on New York and Aaron Boone. And I and I do think it is different. The pressure is different in New York than it is Los Angeles. First of all, they did studies on this years ago. People are more prone to honk quickly in New York. It's a lot of people in the boroughs jammed up, very impatient. And when it comes to the Yankees because of their history, they get very frustrated. Talk radio is much bigger in New York. There's a volume to New York sports that different and I think the pressure is different. And I asked a rod 10 minutes ago about being Aaron Judge. It's not about hitting for average. It's about hitting in a big spot that changes an outcome of a series. And here's a Rod.

A (30:45)

People look at stats as the end of all. It's really about moments. Look at the moments of Yankee history, whether it's 77, Reggie Jackson with the three homers or Aaron Boone with the walk off against the Red Sox or Mr. November. Do you remember what Reggie had in that series? Or Aaron Boone or Jeter? You don't, but you remember those moments. I think what Aaron Boone, what Judge needs is a couple big moments. And forget about the stats. Go 1 for 13 if that base is loaded when he had when he struck out. If he hits a double or a home run, you're a hero and you're one for 13. So enough with the stats. Get big moments. Help your team win.

B (31:22)

Also a crazy Monday Night Football game last night in which there were, you know, turnovers, fumbles at the one flags and then flags taken out. I think Kansas City's the better team. You know, we, we talked earlier today, about an hour ago about the current NFL playoff standings. I don't think they'll change much. I think as the NFL has become much more quarterback dependent that you can see very early. You have to have a great quarterback or a quarterback being well coached and playing at a great level. So currently right now the NFL playoff standings in the AFC and the nfc, I don't think it's going to change a lot. Colts I think are the most underrated team in the league. Bills, Steelers are the healthiest of all beat up teams in the AFC North. Chargers, Jags, Denver and New England. That's a lot of the teams I thought would make the playoffs. I don't think the AFC south will have two playoff teams. I think the Colts have the better complete roster and the better O line. So I'm going to take Jacksonville, take them out, put Kansas City in. That's my belief in the AFC and the nfc. I don't think Minnesota is going to make it. Not good enough at quarterback and I think eventually the Rams will absolutely get in. I keep my eye on Washington, but you know, it's Jaden Daniels health. Philadelphia is fascinating because they have the best roster, but it's. Nick Wright said earlier today, when you, you know, you drop that game to the Broncos and you got totally dominated again in a half of football, often at home. And here's Nick Wright on the plight, the coaching crisis with Philly right now. In their last six halves of football, they have either had less than 8 yards rushing or 8 yards passing in.

C (33:09)

In three of them.

B (33:10)

It reminds me a bit of two years ago when they started 10 and 1, but it was so angsty and every game they won, but it was like, yeah, but, yeah, but. And what that led to was a historic collapse. I don't know if we're going to have a historic collapse, but you know, Detroit hired from within for their coordinators. It's worked. Philadelphia tried it and it hasn't. It was somebody that had never been a play caller stuff. And Philadelphia is not a real patient football city or sports city. So it's hard to learn on the fly. You know, there's a lot of these cities like Tampa, the media supportive or Milwaukee with the Brewers. It's not in Philadelphia. If you're struggling in talk radio, still gets a massive number in four or five cities in the country, most in the Northeast. So, you know, just. Drew Bledsoe was on yesterday and this is the best roster in the NFL. I don't think anybody even doubts it. I'm not sure anybody's close. But here's what Bledsoe sees with the Eagles.

D (34:16)

They're a punchy in the mouth, run the football, play defense, play action, you know, big play, you know, team. And that's the, you know, that's, that's, that's who they are, you know, but in order, you know, in order to play that way though, you have to be remarkably consistent. You know, you, yeah, you have to, you have to convert third down so you can keep running the football. You know, you've got to get the defensive stops. I just think you're seeing a little bit of inconsistency out of the, out of the Eagles offense right now. Now I, you know, they're 4 and 1. I don't know. And they played, you know, the Broncos are a good football team and you know, so there's no reason to panic, you know, with what's going on with the Eagles. But, but their identity is their identity.

B (34:52)

Let's go back to the current J. Mac playoff standing. So put the AFC and the NFC up and I just want to name either coach or quarterback. So if you put up the playoff standings, you, you, you Literally have to have a great quarterback now or a quarterback playing at a very high level. So right now you look at the Colts, well, it's probably the weakest division and you say, well, Daniel Jones. But people love Shane Steichen and their O line's great. Josh Allen, Aaron Rodgers, Harbaugh Herbert, say what you want. Trevor Lawrence, a huge talent. Sean Payton, Mike Vrabel and Drake May. So there's either a great coach or there's a super talented quarterback. Go to the nfc. Jalen Hurts. Kyle Shanahan is having maybe his best coaching year. Baker Mayfield is in the MVP conversation. I mean, I would say Dan Campbell and Goff are both a ish. Jordan Love. Matt LaFleur, Sam Darnold playing great football. That's why I don't think Minnesota lasts. I think Kevin o' Connell is a great coach. I think there, I think there's limitations. But by and large, you know, it used to always be in the NFL. There's a lot of ways to win now you don't have to look a certain way, but find the team and you can say what you want about Aaron Rodgers. He is getting rid of the ball right now faster than any NFL quarterback. So Aaron's getting it out, getting it accurate. It is hard to win in this league if you're not special at coach or quarterback. There's not a lot of different ways to win anymore. That's why you talked about it earlier. Look at the teams that are struggling. The jets, well, they don't have an elite coach or a quarterback. And what I've noticed over the last several years, the bottom, I was on this two years ago, the bottom of the NFL is the bottom of the NBA. Now, like you can tell a month into the season, teams can't compete. We're seeing college lines in NFL games. It was almost never you'd see like if you saw an 11 point NFL line, you're like, oh, that must be. That's the best team in the league against the worst team in the league. You're seeing lines now for that are just wild.

C (37:05)

Bengals are 15 point dogs against Jordan Love and the packers this week. Now, I don't know if it's going to be Browning or Flacco, but yeah, that, that's unwatchable. Let me, let me ask you about the Vikings. So they're in there. I was looking into toughest schedules. They have the toughest or second toughest schedule rest of the way.

B (37:20)

I don't think they're a playoff team.

C (37:21)

So Washington and the Rams Are not in there.

B (37:24)

Okay.

C (37:24)

So again, so who are you? Who you pulling out?

B (37:26)

Yeah. So I'm going to put McVeigh and Stafford in and take Minnesota out. Why? Coach and quarterback?

C (37:33)

What about Washington?

B (37:33)

I think they have a superstar quarterback. I think they're going to go in. The question is who? Who do you. So right now, you know, maybe Seattle. Right now Seattle's in. And I think Darnold, but I, but again, who are the teams I'm taking out? So three teams I think are going to make it that aren't currently in here. Reed and Mahomes, Stafford, McVeigh and Jaden Daniels.

C (37:59)

You did not mention C.J. stroud in Houston. You crowned him a couple years ago.

B (38:04)

Where's he? He's not in.

C (38:05)

He's not in.

B (38:06)

We got to talk about the team.

C (38:07)

Should he be in though?

B (38:08)

Not in that division. No. Interesting. No, I don't. I think the only team like Shane Steichen's not proven as a head coach. The only team you look at and go, well, where's a great coach and a great quarterback is Indy. It's a bad division and I think their roster is so undervalued.

C (38:27)

Well, it's early. Can you imagine a playoffs with no Mahomes, no Burrow and no Lamar Jackson?

B (38:33)

It's not happening. Mahomes is getting in, by the way. Even if that's true, I would still get Josh Allen. Aaron Rodgers.

C (38:40)

Aaron Rodgers. You think he's an appointment viewing right now?

B (38:43)

I think the Steelers with Aaron Rodgers would get a huge playoff number. Yeah, probably.

C (38:48)

Yeah, they'd get a number, but they're boring, man. Have you watched them? Other than that jets game when they went up and down the field?

B (38:56)

Philadelphia is boring.

C (38:57)

Yeah, but they're, they're, they have great players. Jalen Hurt.

B (39:00)

They just can't get them the ball.

C (39:02)

Devonte Smith. Yeah.

B (39:03)

I think people are going to have to come to terms. Here's the other thing that's exciting if you're the NFL, the teams that are currently in Drake, May, Bo Nicks.

C (39:13)

Oh, come on.

B (39:14)

No, I'm just saying people aren't into.

C (39:16)

Them yet the way they are burrowing.

B (39:18)

Jordan loves people like I'm just saying.

C (39:21)

Hot and cold, man. I, I, I'm still ticked about that.

B (39:23)

He's not cold. Where do you get the cold part?

C (39:26)

He hasn't been amazing. I think I might have a ticket on him to win the MVP this season.

B (39:30)

Hold on, let me look. No, I want to do this real quick. Hold on. I don't have it.

C (39:35)

Jordan Love. Put, put the Packer schedule up there, okay?

B (39:38)

No timeout, forget the schedule. Jordan love this year, eight touchdowns, one pick and a 113 passer rating.

C (39:47)

He was good against the Lions by.

B (39:48)

The way with Jaden Reed hurt, Christian Watson hurt, Zach Tom right tackle hurt. So the offense is all banged up. They played a pretty good schedule and he's rolling.

C (39:59)

Hey, I don't know. He didn't roll against the Browns when they lost that game outright in Cleveland, did he?

B (40:03)

Stinker. Everybody rolls against the led.

C (40:05)

Justin Fields was good yesterday.

B (40:07)

They have, they had a stinker. This is a week to week league. You don't know who you're getting. I think the team that we both love but they don't look the same is Buffalo. That defense. Yeah.

C (40:19)

Well Milano and Oliver, they need those guys in there in the middle. I think they could be ripe for a trade. You know, you start picking some of these bottom feeders off, Bengals start selling parts, right? Some of these defenders, if they have any good ones.

B (40:31)

No, I think Buffalo at the trade deadline has to address the inability to stop the run.

C (40:38)

Especially with the Chiefs stinking this year. This is your chance Buffalo get to the super bowl.

B (40:42)

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A (43:12)

This is an iHeart podcast.