← The Herd with Colin Cowherd
The Herd with Colin Cowherd
THE HERD - Hour 3 – Mark Schlereth weighs in on Ravens report, What would the Giants do with the no. 1 pick?
00:34:28
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- [00:00]
Colin Cowherd
This is an iHeart podcast.
- [00:02]
Jason McIntyre
Guaranteed Human. Remember when people were nice? When we could occasionally stop fighting and come together? Well, here's some good news. The Ripple Effect is here. Hosted by comedian Jenna Kim Jones. It's a show about how powerful it is when we reach out to one another. It's the perfect weekly proof that goodness isn't gone. The Ripple Effect is more than a podcast. It's a reminder that you can start a ripple that changes everything. Listen to the ripple effect on iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Wasabi is purpose built to free your business from skyrocketing storage costs and fees from the big guys. Wasabi is the go to provider for professional and collegiate sports teams around the world. Check out Wasabi's AI enabled intelligent media storage. Wasabi Air to the industry's only cloud storage service with triple protection against cybercriminals. Was Wasabi driving innovation in data storage for up to 80% less than the other guys? Try for free@wasabi.com, wasabi Hot Cloud Storage, proud partner of the Volume Podcast Network. 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 gimmick. Smooth, clean, tasting, made the right way. Tito's made in Austin, Texas. Real attention to detail. I like to keep it simple. Tito's Soda, one lime, lot of ice. Refreshing, easy. Summer, winter, spring. Totally versatile. Always works. Listen, baseball season's here. The 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.
- [01:44]
Commercial Announcer
Did you know Microsoft has officially ended Support for Windows 10? Upgrade to Windows 11 with an LG Gram laptop. Voted PCMag's Reader's Choice. Top laptop brand for 2025. Thin and ultra lightweight, the LG Gram keeps you productive anywhere. And Windows 11 gives you access to free security updates and ongoing feature upgrades. Visit LGUSA.com iHeart for great seasonal savings on LG Gram laptops with Windows 11. PCMag Reader's Choice Used with permission. All rights reserved.
- [02:14]
Jason McIntyre
Everybody has goals. And every goal starts with an assist, whether it's on the field or off. That's why Halion is teaming up with US Soccer to launch for the Assist. It's a new campaign that celebrates those everyday acts of support that help people achieve their goals. As the makers of trusted brands like Advil, Centrum, Tum, Sensodyne and Voltaren. Halion knows how to support everyday wellness goals. To learn more, go to helionassist.com thanks for listening to the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio at noon to 3 Eastern, 9am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd@foxsportsradio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR.
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Promo Announcer
Now let's get this party started.
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Colin Cowherd
You're listening to Fox Sports Radio.
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Jason McIntyre
Well, it took some by surprise last week when the Broncos at home got dragged by Jacksonville. Mark Slearath covers that team as well as anybody. Been doing radio very popular show in Denver for a long time. You know, we said this is that I, I, I knew what Sean Peyton was saying in regarding to small market team. It was just like they don't get a lot of attention. Like if you're in Chicago and you're bad, you get more attention than in Jacksonville when you're good. Sean has stepped in it a few times. Did you make anything of those comments that apparently got Jacksonville all riled up?
- [03:48]
Colin Cowherd
No, I mean, you know, it was, it was honest and, and you know, I mean, Liam Cohen's a lot like Sean. I mean, he's a snarky, takes it personal, vindictive, you know, probably a very gracious loser, but an absolute jerk when it comes to winning. And I, you know, I resonate with that. That's exactly how I'm wired as well. So yeah, I think that that's perfect. And Liam Cohen took exception to it and you know, put it on his entire team and good for them. They came out here and handled their business, you know, and I'm probably uniquely qualified to accompl comment on this column because, you know, I was on a Redskin team that won 11 straight. I was on the Broncos team that won 13 straight. And one of the things that happens when you've got a winning streak like that, there's two things really that happen. One is all those little things that you end up overcoming in a win. You know, hey man, guys, we can't have a holding call here that's going to cost us a game. Eventually. Hey guys, this PI penalty, hey, this procedural, this operational issue, we lined up in the wrong formation. Eventually that's going to get us, hey guys, missed tackles like you miss a tackle, eventually that's going to get this busted coverage and all those things that kind of get Swept under the rug. You're like, oh, yeah, but we won, you know, so you're right. You know, we can't have that holding call there. All those things eventually come to fruition in a game like that, and that's what cost you a game. They probably had about 100 yards of real estate in missed tackles alone in that game. The Broncos given up. So those are the things that cost you a game. And it's an opportunity to refocus. The other thing that happens, Colin, is your locker room clears out when you go on a run like this. Man, it is one of the most annoying things because every week, more and more national media, more and more people want your time. They starve for your attention. And eventually you walk in the locker room and there's more reporters and more national media in that locker room than there are players. And then it gets you out of your routine. You got to go hide in the training room or hide in the weight room or hide somewhere else in the facility, and it takes you out of your routine. So now the Broncos will get their locker room back. There will be less attention focused upon them, and that's a good thing. But that's kind of. That's kind of one of the things that happens, too, that people don't really realize. When you go on a win streak like that, you just kind of lose your facility, and it drives you crazy as a player.
- [06:18]
Jason McIntyre
So there's a story. Mike Preston, a respected reporter in Baltimore, and I have said for years, a story gets out when somebody wants it out. There's plenty of secrets in this league that are hidden forever or 30 years. So, you know, Harbaugh is getting some heat. The Ravens are getting some heat. Suddenly a story leaks out today. A lot of details. Lamar Jackson falling asleep in meetings does not take criticism well. Late night video games, doesn't want to practice in the morning. And for the record, hyper athletic, going to be 29 last year. Injuries have piled up, you know, six or seven different injuries last couple of years. You know, Mark, I. I always had a feeling you played with one of these guys. There's always about five or six players, quarterbacks in the league at any one time. That's it. That if you're a gm, you don't even take a phone call. John Elway, you know, Marina, you don't take a phone. Then there's another seven or eight. You wouldn't make a call, but you may take one. And then there's 15 guys. You initiate the call. You're trying to upgrade a Quarterback, you add Elway, you. You don't even answer the phone. I said, today, I think Lamar, with his story, has gone from the first group to the second group, where maybe you do make a. You take a call from the Miami Dolphins or the Raiders. I mean, that's how serious I think the. The story is. Am I, you know, a little hyper here on that? Hyperbolic?
- [07:43]
Colin Cowherd
I don't know. I don't think so. I mean, I think you look at, you look at your franchise, you look at how you guys have won, how you guys have lost, like, all the things that have gone on in that situation. I think one of those things that you always constantly think about is what's next for us and, you know, what wins in today's game? And can we continue to go down this road with a quarterback that's going to be 30, using him, his legs, his athleticism on the edge to attack defenses? Eventually, at some point, he's no longer going to be able to do that or stay healthy while doing that. And then are we. Are we strapped and hamstrung by that salary? So if you got an opportunity and you think, hey, man, it's coming to an end, then you've got to be able to make a decision. And sometimes you have to let, you know, really good players leave a year or two early just to maintain and manage your. Manage your, you know, your franchise. I think one of the things, you know, it was interesting when I first started working for Fox, I had a game after The San Francisco 49ers traded for Jimmy Garoppolo. And it was one of the first games that Jimmy Garoppolo played for the 49ers. And so he walks into the meeting room. The first question I fire off right off the bat, before I even introduce myself, is, handsome off you Brady go. Who wins? And he went, handsome. He went, I win the handsome off right there. Which I was a little suspect about because Brady is incredibly beautiful. But that said, the second question I asked him, Colin, was, what did Brady teach you about playing professional football? And he said that playing quarterback is not a job. It is a lifestyle. And you have to adhere to the lifestyle. You got to be the first guy in, the last guy out. You've got to deflect all the praise when you win. You've got to accept all the blame when you lose. Like it is a lifestyle to play quarterback at a high level in this league. And if you're not getting that out of him, based upon that story and you look at the injuries that Pile up. You look at the age, you look at the dynamic nature he is as an athlete, and you say, how much longer can we play this way? And, and if you can get, you know, multiple first rounders, if you want to change the way your, your organization is structured, then certainly you take those phone calls and you listen.
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Jason McIntyre
Okay, so the Bears keep winning these games late. They play the Niners this week, by the way. Niners two days less to prepare because they played Monday night. McCaffrey had 27 carries. They're all in four the week after. He has at least 27 touches. So I didn't. I thought they used him too much. I thought there were too many carries. I wouldn't have played him in the fourth, blah, blah, blah. But J. Mac and I have talked about this. I don't think it's lucky when you win games late. Denver had this. I think there's a belief, I think what happens in big situations, sometimes teams get tight, there's a little anxiety, and I think the more you win, it flips. And teams are like, oh, I love this. This is what we do. New England, with Brady through the years, they just. So my thing is like recovering the onside kick is a little bit of a break, but they had a great defensive stand. They had two good offensive runs. What do you make of how the Bears are winning?
- [10:56]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah, it's been, it's been incredible. One, their control line of scrimmage is a run of the ball. And that, that always takes the pressure off of you. But I think the thing as I watch the Bears, that, that just blows me away. Like, I knew when people talked about Caleb Williams being a generational talent. You know, I knew that he was athletic, but I don't think I knew how athletic he was until I watched him play. When things break down, his ability to manipulate the pocket, his ability to extend and keep plays alive, and then his arm talent is supreme. Now, is he, is he a final product yet? Is he a finished product where he can operate from the pocket and he can do the boring. Well, no, he can't. That's not his forte as of yet. That will continue to grow like it does with all young quarterbacks. But his ability to be off schedule and do special things off schedule is amazing. And I think the other thing that ends up happening to young quarterbacks who come from college, right, and are used to playing a little bit more off schedule football is that when you get behind, all of a sudden, when you are in up tempo, no huddle football, it is more off Schedule instead of being what I always call 70, 30. To win in this league is 70% of the time you just got to be on schedule. You've got to do the boring. Well, 30% of the time things break down. Well, that's not where he's best. He's best at more 50, 50 ball. Right. And I think that's one of the things that happens is you get into these no huddle situations, these up tempo things. It limits and shrinks your playbook, the plays you're going to call so you're a little bit more familiar a little bit. You have a little bit better feel for those plays and then it allows you to do what you do best and that's to be an athlete. And I think that's why we see the Bears making these dramatic comebacks. And that game, what was it Saturday night against Green Bay was absolutely phenomenal. What an unreal finish to that game.
- [12:51]
Jason McIntyre
Okay, they're not a high profile team, but you had the Bucks and the Panthers last week and I thought Bryce Young outplayed Baker. If you're the gm, if you're Dan Morgan of Carolina, sharp guy. You give him that fifth year option. What do you make of Bryce Young?
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Colin Cowherd
Yeah, I would, I would bring him back on that fifth year. I wouldn't sign to a long term deal.
- [13:10]
Jason McIntyre
Okay.
- [13:11]
Colin Cowherd
You know, I might make him go, prove it to me again next year and then maybe franchise him. You've got those things at your disposal. But the bottom line, I've done a lot of Carol games. Colin is. Do I think Bryce Young is a franchise quarterback? No, I don't. But has he improved every year? Yeah, but you know, you look at his improvement, he went from just under 60% to 61%. He's completing 63% of the balls right now. But I've always felt like if they don't run the ball well, then he's not going to lift that team up and carry them to a victory. And he kind of did that against Tampa Bay. 12 seconds left in the second half, man, they bring zero blitz, which is, you know, a Tampa Bay Todd Bulls staple. And he hits federal McMillan for a big touchdown down the left hand sideline. And then all of a sudden the last drive, he gets another blitz, hits Jalen Poker down the right hand sideline for a big 40 yard gain. And they kicked a game winning field goal and their defense gets to stop. So like he just keeps improving and essentially keeps proving people wrong. And I tell you what, operationally he's big. He's Just not a big, you know, he's just not a big, strapped, physical guy.
- [14:25]
Jason McIntyre
Right.
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Colin Cowherd
So I think there's some limitations in the pockets and all the. In the pocket and all those things that make you question whether he could be kind of a franchise quarterback moving forward.
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Jason McIntyre
Yeah. I love what you said about Brady and de Garoppolo. Quarterback is a lifestyle. That is really a fascinating quote. And it's Mark Schlarath. Love seeing you. Merry Christmas to your amazing family, my friend, and all your kids and all your relatives. Great dad. You're. You're one of the good guys in the biz and I'm very happy for all your success. Merry Christmas.
- [14:56]
Colin Cowherd
I appreciate it. Call. Merry Christmas to you and yours as well. Love you, brother. And then we'll talk to you soon. Yep.
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Jason McIntyre
He worked at the other place and this place and just a great teammate and he just keeps crushing. Yeah, I mean that. It really is that. That's the thing about Kyler Murray. The criticism was, you know, I always said this is that like I was talking about Pro bowl quarterbacks and leadership. Jay Cutler had Pro bowl quarterback. He could have been a six time Pro Bowler. I didn't think he was a great leader. I didn't think he galvanized guys. There's a lot of different things that go into quarterback, and one of them is, are you kind of obsessed with it? Jay Glazer talks about this. Are you obsessed with the sport? No. Oh, okay. Okay. Because I need guys that are especially at certain positions.
- [15:39]
Colin Cowherd
Be sure to catch live editions of.
- [15:40]
Jason McIntyre
The Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am.
- [15:43]
Colin Cowherd
Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS1 and the iHeartRadio app, Paulie Fusco here with Tony Fusco.
- [15:50]
Tony Fusco
Yo, as everybody knows, we're the host of the award winning Paulie and Tony Fusco show.
- [15:54]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah.
- [15:54]
Tony Fusco
But instead of us telling you how great we are, here's how Dan Patrick described us when he came on our show.
- [16:00]
Jason McIntyre
Quick, knowledgeable and funny. Opinionated. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. What are you doing? You're interrupting our promo. Yeah, he wasn't talking about you.
- [16:08]
Tony Fusco
You took those clips totally out of context.
- [16:10]
Promo Announcer
Oh, yeah.
- [16:11]
Tony Fusco
Well, after this promo, I'm gonna take you out and beat you.
- [16:14]
Jason McIntyre
Let me put this into context.
- [16:17]
Promo Announcer
Shut up.
- [16:17]
Tony Fusco
Yeah. Anyway, just listen to the Paulie and Tony Fusco show on iHeartRadio Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [16:23]
Colin Cowherd
Yay.
- [16:27]
Paulie Fusco
What a matchup we got, y'.
- [16:28]
Jason McIntyre
All.
- [16:29]
Paulie Fusco
This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit. Chance echo, drum beat. Everybody showing that school pride. Game like this. Yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola. Ah, crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there. Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere. And in ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo. No matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.
- [17:14]
Commercial Announcer
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- [17:44]
Promo Announcer
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- [19:10]
Commercial Announcer
And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go.
- [19:13]
Tony Fusco
To help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means playing in a football game.
- [19:18]
Jason McIntyre
Boom 42. You're going down, Doug.
- [19:21]
Tony Fusco
Oh yeah, Your price on car insurance when you customize and save is going down.
- [19:25]
Jason McIntyre
Hey.
- [19:29]
Tony Fusco
Limu, what are you doing on this team?
- [19:32]
Jason McIntyre
Only pay for what you need@liberty mutual.com.
- [19:35]
Tony Fusco
Liberty Liberty Liberty Liberty.
- [19:38]
Rob Gronkowski
This is Rob Gronkowski from Dudes on Dudes with Gronk and Jules. For the second season in a row, I partnered with T Mobile's Friday night 5G lights, powering up hometown football across America. This year, T mobile invested over $4 million in prizes to help schools take their Friday nights to the next level. The votes are in. And now it's time to crown our $1 million grand prize winner. Congratulations to Derrick's high school and Derrick's Arkansas, home of the outlaws and your 2020 5T mobile Friday night 5G lights champion. The Outlaws and their community rallied to help them score a game changing home field upgrade, a Gronk Fitness weight room makeover, an epic 2026 tailgate party and a VIP trip to the SEC championship game. To every school that competed, posted and rallied your communities, thank you and to T Mobile for making it all possible. This season may be over, but the story isn't. Stay tuned for season three in 2026. Congratulations again to Derek's high school Outlaws.
- [20:51]
Jason McIntyre
J. Mac with the news.
- [20:53]
Colin Cowherd
No, no, no, turn on the news. This is the herd line news.
- [20:58]
Tony Fusco
Right Con. Let's revisit this Baltimore sun story on Lamar Jackson. It is going to be the story du jour this NFL off season. Some of the quotes from the article in the Baltimore Sun. A major problem, a lot of it on the Ravens is that there are team rules and then there are rules for Jackson. Once the Ravens become critical of Jackson, he becomes more withdrawn. It's clear that coach John Harbaugh has become tired of Jackson. Now don't make this a shoot the messenger, okay? Everybody's been able to see this has been building up all season. We know two years ago when Lamar got the extension, it was very contagious. Not contagious, it was contentious. I'm sorry. Yeah, those two were going at it. Remember he wanted the desean Watson fully guaranteed and they're like, we're not doing that. He got a very lucrative deal, Colin. It spikes this off season. 24% of the cap is what Lamar will chew up.
- [21:49]
Jason McIntyre
That is brutal.
- [21:50]
Tony Fusco
I mean, listen, he's earned it. He's a two time mvp. I get that. But at the same time, you can't build a roster around. There's no path to fixing the offensive line magically. There's questions about Derek Henry. The defense was pretty toothless. I mean, you watch Drake may go up and down the field and their most pivotal game of the season there was like they couldn't stop Drake. Maybe I don't Know, man, this is going to be fascinating.
- [22:13]
Jason McIntyre
Yeah. And I think when, you know, when stuff leaks from legitimate reporters, this is somebody that covers the team. When you cover a team and you have to face the music and face the athletes you criticize, it's not easy. That's why a lot of local reporters, a lot of them don't have the courage to have to walk into that locker room every day. It's easy for me. I'm not in the locker rooms. Right. So to report this stuff, it's got to be buttoned up and. Right.
- [22:40]
Tony Fusco
Yeah.
- [22:41]
Jason McIntyre
And scream, but it's got to be buttoned up.
- [22:43]
Tony Fusco
I was at the combine back when I was with the website, the big lead and somebody smart, I was like, oh, is there a rebuild coming? They're like, remember, the best time to rebuild is last year. Okay. Ravens fans can talk themselves into maybe, hey, Lamar comes back, he's healthy. You know, we got this next year. And then we could talk about. No, no, no, no, no. Then he's going to be 30. You know, the injury history. Colin, I think they got to make a move this off season.
- [23:09]
Jason McIntyre
Well, I think you definitely take calls. You know, what is. What if you're Miami. Let's say you're Miami or the Raiders. Yeah. Now. And now both are paying two Angino. So both are paying a quarterback. So if you're paying Lamar and the quarterback and you're giving up draft capital, it is a huge, huge swing. Ideally, my take is there's somebody else who is a team in the NFL that's. That needs juice at quarterback. It has cap space next year. Now you start looking at it. Find a team that you're like, man, because with Geno and Tua, can you pay that. And Lamar Jackson, that's tough.
- [23:48]
Tony Fusco
Yeah.
- [23:49]
Jason McIntyre
So. So find the team.
- [23:51]
Tony Fusco
Well, the Raiders are the one that make the most sense. They're going to have a top three pick, maybe number one. And then you've got the decision. Do you want to start something with Mendoza in the desert or do you want to bring in Lamar? And hey, we make the jump instant.
- [24:02]
Jason McIntyre
I would do Mendoza.
- [24:04]
Tony Fusco
Well, the problem with that is how long is it going to take you guys to. To overtake the Chargers, Broncos and Chiefs? Well, now with Lamar, instantly you're competitive.
- [24:13]
Jason McIntyre
Right.
- [24:14]
Tony Fusco
Think the problem is like, well, Brock Bowers and Lamar is a good combo. Ashton Genti, you know, you got a couple pieces. Colton Miller should return this week. The left tackle.
- [24:24]
Jason McIntyre
The Miami. The Miami Dolphins piece is really interesting.
- [24:27]
Promo Announcer
But.
- [24:28]
Tony Fusco
But what do you do? Nobody. Are you gonna Find a taker for Tua. Are you gonna dump him and then.
- [24:34]
Jason McIntyre
Take the cap hit?
- [24:35]
Tony Fusco
I don't think you could build a team taking the tour dead cap money.
- [24:38]
Jason McIntyre
And I mean bringing on Baltimore may have to swallow some of the Lamar deal, but if they draft a quarterback again. Denver swallowed a ton of Russell Wilson cap hit, but Bo Nix was free. So they can deal with. If you nail the quarterback in the draft, then it's fine if you have to pay some of half of Lamar's contract. So it's like 12% of your cap hit. You're like, yikes. But you draft somebody in the 20th place. Ty Simpson from Bama. He starts and you're not paying him anything for four years. So Denver got through it by drafting well and getting a star quarterback or a high end quarterback. There's ways a lot of this cap you can, you can mark, you can manipulate your way around it and it really helps if you have a great draft.
- [25:22]
Tony Fusco
I mean, Arizona Cardinals could be interesting.
- [25:25]
Jason McIntyre
He doesn't want to play there though.
- [25:27]
Tony Fusco
Well, we don't know that yet. I mean Arizona's a great, very good tax state. You're big on the taxes, save some money there. Warm weather.
- [25:37]
Jason McIntyre
I mean Vegas is zero and, and Miami's zero state tax, that's, that's better than Arizona. I think Arizona is 6% or something like that.
- [25:43]
Rob Gronkowski
Yeah.
- [25:44]
Tony Fusco
All right, let's move on. Actually, let's go to the Raiders. Colin. Interesting game this weekend against the Giants. They're calling it the toilet Bowl. Giants, Raiders. It's opposite packers and I'm sorry, not Packers. It's opposite Eagles, Bills, which is the game of the week. But it, there is an interesting angle here. It's basically for the number one pick and everybody's talking about tanking this weekend. Hey, don't mention that to Max Crosby. He does not care.
- [26:11]
Jason McIntyre
Yeah, I don't give a. About the pig. Like, to be honest, I don't play for that. I don't. That's not my job. My job is to be the best defensive end in the world and that's what I focus on every day. And being a great leader and being an influence and being a, you know, being that guy on a consistent basis for my team. I love that guy. By the way. Arizona State tax, two and a half percent. My bad. Don't drive off the road if you're in Scottsdale. I love Max Crosby so much.
- [26:39]
Tony Fusco
Who you got in this one, Colin?
- [26:45]
Jason McIntyre
Probably the Giants.
- [26:46]
Tony Fusco
So I haven't bet on the Raiders. I don't think all season.
- [26:49]
Jason McIntyre
Oh, that's not.
- [26:50]
Tony Fusco
This might be the spot.
- [26:52]
Jason McIntyre
Okay.
- [26:52]
Tony Fusco
I. I don't know. I mean, there's not a lot.
- [26:55]
Jason McIntyre
So I try not to bet on games I don't want to watch because it's just I have to sit there last week and watch the Vikings Giants for three and a half hours.
- [27:03]
Tony Fusco
Pleasant experience. Experience.
- [27:04]
Jason McIntyre
Oh, it was. I. I literally called the dentist and said, can you get me in on a Sunday? I'd rather do that. Brutal. We.
- [27:11]
Tony Fusco
We'll see. The Colton Miller get back is big. I think the Raiders are trying. We watch them against the Texans. Oh, I don't think the Giants are any good. And by the way, this. This would set up the Giants with the number one pick. And then remember, the Giants fan base loves Jackson Dart. They're all in on him. He's a cool guy. Colin the. Remember the gm. Hey, that's a guy. I still have my job. And it sets up. Like, do you. What do you do with Dart Mendoza? Fun story out of New York. You can always find good angles in the NFL. All right, let's wrap up before Christmas with this one. Colin. We're giving you a nice little present here with Aaron Rodgers. I've been very critical of Rodgers. He's delivered. And this play that he did against the Lions right before the half, the touchdown bomb to Kenneth Gainwell. Listen to the audio. It's pretty awesome.
- [27:56]
Jeff Schwartz
This side, this side. I'm running flat to the right.
- [28:01]
Jason McIntyre
Motion all the way out.
- [28:02]
Jeff Schwartz
Run and go all the way out.
- [28:10]
Jason McIntyre
Rogers off his back foot, throws it down the way. Can't look at Gainwell.
- [28:15]
Jeff Schwartz
And he scored.
- [28:16]
Jason McIntyre
Thinks he has a touchdown. He catch it. He catch it. Good caught.
- [28:21]
Jeff Schwartz
Excellent.
- [28:22]
Jason McIntyre
He caught it.
- [28:24]
Tony Fusco
This play was spectacular. If.
- [28:26]
Jason McIntyre
Sorry.
- [28:26]
Tony Fusco
If you're.
- [28:26]
Jason McIntyre
Aaron, just go out there and run a.
- [28:29]
Tony Fusco
Run a go route. He basically said, this is what we're doing. And how did the Lions still let it happen? And again, I've never played linebacker in the NFL, but if I hear that it's the end of the half, it's.
- [28:39]
Jason McIntyre
Like, well, you're in a loud stadium. You're in a loud stadium. And by the way, now I have to communicate it as a Mike linebacker out to the corner and the ball snap. So Aaron's like, do a go route, do a go hike. Boom. How much time do you have to turn? Hey, left corner. He's going to run a go route. So Aaron says it and the way he said it was run a go route, go do a go round. Boom.
- [29:03]
Tony Fusco
That was a huge play. They gave up a touchdown there late. I mean, that was just devastating. I'll add this Kenneth Gainwell has been freaking awesome.
- [29:11]
Jason McIntyre
Oh yeah, for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- [29:12]
Tony Fusco
And you know the Eagles had him. And once the quarterback gets paid, the Jalen hurts you. Hey, we've got to prepare for this. We don't want to lose on the O line. Running back depth, goodbye. And now you lose Gainwell and Tank Bigsby's good, but they had to trade for him, remember, because Will Shipley was the backup. He gets hurt. And so again, these quarterback salaries really ding depth. And it's been a huge get for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nice job by the GM there.
- [29:38]
Jason McIntyre
J Mac with the news.
- [29:40]
Colin Cowherd
Well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by the Herd lie news the.
- [29:45]
Jason McIntyre
Seven biggest games of the college football season are around the corner. Jeff Schwartz, formerly, as you know, a former Oregon Duck, NFL er, is going to be joining us. Plus some NFL stuff to discuss next. Be sure to catch live editions of.
- [30:02]
Colin Cowherd
The Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS1 and the iHeartRadio app.
- [30:10]
Paulie Fusco
What a matchup we got, y'.
- [30:12]
Promo Announcer
All.
- [30:12]
Paulie Fusco
This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit. Chance echo drum beat Everybody showing that game like this. Yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola. Ah, crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there. Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere and an ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo no matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.
- [30:57]
Commercial Announcer
Did you know Microsoft has officially ended Support for Windows 10? Upgrade to Windows 11 with an LG Gram laptop? Voted PCMag's Reader's Choice. Top laptop brand for 2025. Thin and ultra lightweight, the LG Gram keeps you productive anywhere. And Windows 11 gives you access to free security updates and ongoing feature upgrades. Visit lgusa.com iheart for great seasonal savings on LG Gram laptops with Windows 11 PC Mag Reader's Choice. Used with permission. All Rights reserved.
- [31:27]
Promo Announcer
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- [32:54]
Jason McIntyre
And Doug, here we have the Limu Emu in its natural habitat helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.
- [33:09]
Tony Fusco
Uh, Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us.
- [33:12]
Jason McIntyre
Cut the camera. They see us.
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Commercial Announcer
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Jason McIntyre
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- [33:22]
Rob Gronkowski
This is Rob Gronkowski from Dudes on Dudes with Gronk and jules. For the second season in a row, I partnered with T Mobile's Friday night 5G lights, powering up hometown football across America. This year, T mobile invested over $4 million in prizes to help schools take their Friday nights to the next level. The votes are in. And now it's time to crown our one million dollar grand prize winner. Congratulations to Derrick's High school in Derrick's, Arkansas, home of the Outlaws and your 20 25T mobile. Friday night 5G lights champion. The Outlaws and their community rallied to help them score a game. Changing home field upgrade, a Gronk Fitness weight room makeover, an epic 2026 tailgate party and a VIP trip to the SEC championship game. To every school that competed, posted and rallied your communities. Thank you. And to T Mobile for making it all possible. This season may be over, but the story isn't. Stay tuned for season three in 2026. Congratulations again to Derek's high school Outlaws.
- [34:34]
Jason McIntyre
I'm all fired up for Jeff Schwartz, our love of college football. Okay, so I get a lot of heat. Let's bring in Jeff Schwartz, Fox Sports analyst, former NFL offensive lineman, Oregon Duck. So I said I still can't believe that USC fans are okay with Notre Dame having a Side deal with a tournament. Notre Dame being a partial member of a conference. Notre Dame being able to manipulate buys before their game with usc. Much easier when you're a partial member of a conference with a much weaker schedule. And USC fans are like, sure, yeah, we'll play it whenever you want. I'm like, USC fans? You I to me it's unbelievable that USC fans are just like giving Notre Dame side deals will play whenever. But maybe I'm wrong on that. How do you see it?
- [35:29]
Jeff Schwartz
Okay, all those things are true. That memorandum of understanding is bad. Like I can't believe that people signed the Notre dame gets the BNF or top 12 team. All these are true. But USC's want out of this for a couple years now, right? Like they've won out of this game. They got out of this game. Look, USC fans love to talk about the Pete Carroll years or 20 years ago. They love talking about it. What did Pete Carroll do though? He scheduled tough, right? Because to win championships you got to schedule these games, right? They went to, I think D.C. off the top of my head, played Virginia Tech, right? Went to Arkansas. They smoked those teams. But they scheduled tough. Look at what Notre Dame or Miami or A and M did to all play charter the season. And they're ducking a game that they've been losing and there's many reasons for that and some of you mentioned and USC has the reasons and Notre Dame has their reasons, but the fact is they're canceling a game that has only missed world wars and Covid. Otherwise they played every year. And look, let's be honest. If USC was competitive in these games, they would play them, right? It would help the resume to beat Notre Dame. But in the end, all things about Irish are true. They need to join a conference. I can't believe again that they get this preferential deal where they basically have to be in the top 12. I mean there's a scenario where USC could beat them, be ranked higher than them and then not go to playoff because Nordic in the top 12, which that's, that's, that's silly to me.
- [36:44]
Jason McIntyre
Yeah. And here's the other thing. When Pete Carroll was the coach, if you won the Pac12, which was awful during Pete Carroll's run, it was the weakest it's been. You were, you could play for a natty. Now you've got they're in the Big Ten, which is a much better conference and you also now go into a playoff. So to me I understand your argument, but all these guys going back to the Old days. Jeff, the world has changed is that Nick Saban refused to go on the road his last 10 years for an out of conference game you played in Tuscaloosa or it was neutral. Nick is like, I'm not going to go on. I don't even care if it's like an kind of a top 20 program. So I think Saban was the first and nobody called him scared. And they would have probably won those games. But Nick's take was when you're playing NFL bodies for 12 weeks, I'm not adding another group of great players.
- [37:38]
Jeff Schwartz
Look, I think the difference here too is that USC doesn't have that cachet at the moment that Nick Saban did. Right. Obviously, because they haven't won at that level. And I think people look at Lincoln Raleigh's program right now and question at times the toughness and the physicality. And then you're ducking a game against the team that you need to tie to sort of beat to win championships. Right. You need to beat a team like Notre Dame to win a championship. Like just that style of play. Right. You have to do that potentially over three or four weeks. So I think Nick Saban has a different argument because they were winning championships. USC hasn't gotten there yet. Now, maybe not playing Notre Dame and putting someone else in will get USC to 10 and two and a big. You finish 10, two in the big 10, you're probably a playoff team. And then you could prove all the doubters wrong if you get a playoff spot.
- [38:20]
Jason McIntyre
Yeah, I'm pretty. I have a good source or two at USC and I think their feeling was we'll play you. But our core class schedule of trigonometry, chemistry and physics is a lot tougher than years of basket weaving and wood shop and gym. So if we're going to. If you take schedules and look at Notre Dame's next year, it's embarrassing and Notre Dame knows it. It's awful. Toughest game is Miami at home. They'll be favored double digits in almost every game. So I think what USC felt is okay. Let's look at our schedules like core classes. Ours, usc, Ohio State, Oregon, Washington at Penn State and India will play you. We're not playing you in the middle of our physics midterm. We'll do week zero. That to me is. Is a way. Because I don't think USCC said no. I think they said, okay, you have a side deal, you have a weaker schedule. It's got to be on our terms. Isn't that realistic?
- [39:23]
Jeff Schwartz
Well, they Certainly they certainly said that, right? I mean the week zero thing is not actually possible based on the rules of scheduling. Like you have to have a Hawaii game or some sort of weird situation to play Week 0. And USC has been better on earliest and Riley earlier in the season as well. So you get the opportunity to play them early or certainly benefits USC more than it benefits Notre Dame. So I get the argument why USC would want to do that. Look, I think if both teams wanted to make it happen, Colin, it probably still gets done, right? I mean it just does. And neither team wanted to budge on what they wanted out of this relationship and now it's off for a little bit and maybe never comes back. I don't know. We'll see obviously how it goes this year and whether it affects either of the teams. Look, the Irish schedule is their name has to win a conference, right? Like they have the best situation of anyone where they have to join a conference, don't have to play conference championship game which seems to not matter anyways toward rankings and then also get this deal where they just finish in the top 12 with the schedule you mentioned. Look, BYU should be difficult to play at on the road, but 11 and 1 gets you a playoff spot, right? So they have it the best of both worlds. I still think USC shouldn't duck them, but I get both arguments.
- [40:29]
Jason McIntyre
Okay, Oregon, Texas Tech. I think there, I think it's upset alert. Do you.
- [40:36]
Jeff Schwartz
Know, I think we'll be okay. So here's, here's my thing about, about Oregon at the moment, but also playing a team like Texas Tech is that Texas Tech has just not seen Oregon's offense. There's no, no one on their schedule is like Oregon's offense. Now you could put on asu's film because of Kenny Dillingham and that's sort of what you might see Oregon do. But no one all season just tried to run directly at Texas Tech right in the middle. They have their edges are great height, Bailey, Rodriguez and will we back with those guys are absolutely studs. They are dudes but the middle of their team sort of no one really tried that. There are opportunities to throw deep. Arizona State showed that and just Texas hasn't played a defense offense like Oregon. On flip side, Oregon hasn't played probably a defense like them since they played Indiana. They did play Penn State still a good defense. Iowa still good defense. And then one thing on the other side is look, Oregon's defense this year has been great. Don't take the third quarter of the GMU game and Take it seriously before they play gmu. Every single team they faced scored under what they do. Their yardage were under. They're average. And one thing that I think benefits Oregon's defense in this game is Texas Tech has a sort of a stationary quarterback. We struggle stopping quarterbacks that run, which a lot of teams do, by the way. It's nothing new. So I like, I think our team's really good, man. I like our chances. I think it's a really close game. We've handled adversity well all season. We're healthier now, which is hugely important, especially offensively. Give me a great game. I think a low scoring game, a controlled environment for both teams. Just trying not to do too much, not make mistakes. Can't turn the ball over. Texas Tech number one the country in field position because their defense sets them up in good spots.
- [42:11]
Jason McIntyre
I got, I got to touch on this. Jackson Dart has regressed the last three weeks. People got film. He's been banged up. If the Giants get the number one pick and can take Fernando Mendoza, their fans are outraged by the suggestion. You should think about it. What would you do? Giants gm, you get the number one pick, what would you do?
- [42:30]
Jeff Schwartz
Oh, man. Oh. I. I mean Mendoza plays a style of football that's going to keep him healthier. I know Giants fans hate that discussion, but it is true, right? He is a. He is excellent in the pocket big. He's going to throw the balls as quick as possible. He's going to find the open guy. He's not going to move like Dart, which I think you sort of need in today's game though. Like that's sort of the question. But Dart has all the physical skills.
- [42:55]
Colin Cowherd
Man.
- [42:55]
Jeff Schwartz
I. The Giants have so many holes in their roster. They might not be like a Mendoza away from being good.
- [43:03]
Jason McIntyre
Yeah.
- [43:04]
Jeff Schwartz
And can. Can use the. Those draft picks to help Jackson Dart this game. This weekend's for the number one pick, right? Raiders. Giants. I'm curious to see if. Look, tanking is not an actual thing that happens on Sunday except like one time it does a year maybe. And I'm curious to see if either team. Brock Power is not playing right. I'm curious if either team sort of kicks the field goal. Punch the ball here. But to be fair, like the Giants coaching staff doesn't care if they have the first pick next year. They won't be there. That's also part of taking right. Like the staff has to want to lose the game. Mike Kaepernick not going to want to lose the game. Is coaching for his job or for. For his future. So kind of curious to see how that one goes this weekend.
- [43:42]
Jason McIntyre
Hey, fun fact. I got to mention this. Jeff Schwartz is facing J. Mac in the Fox Sports fantasy football championship.
- [43:51]
Jeff Schwartz
Yes.
- [43:52]
Jason McIntyre
And anybody that watches this show knows that J. Mac has. Likes to insert it about four times a week. So I'm rooting for. I mean, I. I hate to say this to J. Mac, but he'll be impossible to deal with if he wins it. He needs to be humbled. So I want an overtime thriller. But Jeff. Good luck on that, Jeff.
- [44:12]
Tony Fusco
Jeff has a quarterback issue. So do I. He has Cam Ward. Yes, Cam Ward. And I've got Justin Herbert against the Texans, so it's not looking great for me. Yeah, I don't know who else. I. I got Kirk Cousins on my bench.
- [44:23]
Jason McIntyre
Jeff.
- [44:23]
Tony Fusco
Should I go to Kirk Cousins?
- [44:25]
Jeff Schwartz
Out of all the things I care about, football wise, I hate to admit it, but fantasy football is at the very, very bottom of it. And so beating J. Mac, who cares a lot. Like, I didn't know we were in the playoffs till a text two weeks ago said, hey, Schwartz, you're looking to upset the number one seed. I was like, great. So now I'm all in, though. I'm all in this week. I'm in the money like this for the money now.
- [44:44]
Tony Fusco
Low four figures. Cowherd. There's. This is a jump change here.
- [44:47]
Jeff Schwartz
Yeah, I'm looking forward to it.
- [44:49]
Jason McIntyre
Okay, you too.
- [44:50]
Jeff Schwartz
Can't wait.
- [44:51]
Jason McIntyre
Jeff Schwartz, Fox Sports. Good seeing you, buddy.
- [44:54]
Jeff Schwartz
Take care. Thank you, guys. Have a good holiday.
- [44:56]
Jason McIntyre
All right, you too. Yeah, I mean, he paused on the Mendoza thing. He's like, oh, boy, this is tough because Mendoza's big, sits in the pocket, gets rid of the ball quick. He's not going to be in the blue tent.
- [45:07]
Commercial Announcer
Are you.
- [45:08]
Tony Fusco
Are you noticing this? Some guy. Some of these draft analysts are lukewarm on Mendoza. Colin. And I'm starting to see I got a bone to pick with our guy, Daniel Jeremiah.
- [45:17]
Jason McIntyre
He doesn't like him.
- [45:18]
Tony Fusco
I mean, he's not, he's not like he's the number one lock. And I'm like, I, I don't. I just don't get. What are we missing?
- [45:25]
Jason McIntyre
Well, he's not a. He's not a runaround guy. And everybody likes mobility. He's a big, strong kid. I. I will say this. I really like him. Somebody I talked to likes him. He thinks he's the best quarterback, but he doesn't love him. He's like, that's fair. He's like, he doesn't have Caleb's talent. He doesn't think he. Okay, he said he he is not as good a prospect as Drake May. That's what I was thinking. Yeah. So much fun. So much fun. Merry Christmas, everybody.
- [45:59]
Commercial Announcer
Did you know Microsoft has officially ended Support for Windows 10? Upgrade to Windows 11 with an LG Gram laptop? Voted PCMag's Reader's Choice top laptop brand for 2025. Thin and ultra lightweight, the LG Gram keeps you productive anywhere. And Windows 11 gives you access to free security updates and ongoing feature upgrades. Visit LGUSA.com iHeart for great seasonal savings on LG Gram laptops with Windows 11. PCMag Reader's Choice Used with permission. All rights reserved.
- [46:30]
Paulie Fusco
What a matchup we got y'.
- [46:31]
Jason McIntyre
All.
- [46:31]
Paulie Fusco
This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The babe is rocking and the crowd lit. Chance echo drum beat everybody showing that school pride. Game like this. Yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola. Ah, crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there. Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere and an ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo no matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.
- [47:16]
Jason McIntyre
Wasabi is purpose built to free your business from skyrocketing storage costs and fees from the big guys. Wasabi is the go to provider for professional and collegiate sports teams around the world. Check out Wasabi's AI enabled intelligent media storage. Wasabi Air to the industry's only cloud storage service with triple protection against cybercriminals. Wasabi driving innovation in data storage for up to 80% less than the other guys try for free at wasabi.com, wasabi Hot Cloud Storage proud partner of the Volume Podcast Network. People talk a lot about athletes performance, but what about your own? QuestHealth.com can help you understand where your health stands. With Quest you can buy your own lab tests online, no doctor visit required. Quest has a huge selection of lab tests for everything from fitness to heart, health and more. Just buy a test online and visit a nearby Quest location for sample collection. You'll get fast results online and for a limited time you can save on select lab tests@questhealth.com use the code herd10 at checkout. Terms apply. Everybody has goals and every goal starts with an assist, whether it's on the field or off. That's why Halion is teaming up with US Soccer to launch for the Assist. It's a new campaign that celebrates those everyday acts of support that help people achieve their goals. As the makers of trusted brands like Advil, Centrum, Tum, Sensodyne, and Voltaren, Halion knows how to support everyday wellness goals. To learn more, go to helionassist.com this.
- [48:51]
Colin Cowherd
Is an iHeart podcast.
- [48:54]
Jason McIntyre
Guaranteed human.