THE HERD - Hour 3 - Talking about the current NFL news and rumors

Summary

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The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Hour 3 – April 1, 2026

Main Theme:
Deep dive into current NFL news and draft rumors, with prominent draft analyst Lance Zierlein joining Colin Cowherd for candid takes on quarterback controversies, top prospects, and team strategies as the NFL Draft approaches.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jalen Hurts & The Philadelphia Eagles’ Locker Room Drama

• Jeremy Fowler’s Report: ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported via "a dozen sources" that Jalen Hurts is “not well liked” and “hard to coach” (03:11).
• Colin and Lance echo and expand on those rumors, citing previous off-season whispers and the idea that “where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire” (04:26).
• They dissect Hurts' body language and his relationship with A.J. Brown (“You know, he has issues with A.J. Brown—or A.J. Brown has issues with him, I should say”—Lance Zierlein, 04:26).
• Historical Comparison:
  Colin draws a parallel between Hurts and Russell Wilson—both had to transfer in college, fell in the draft due to size, were “very productive in college, very good at the podium, never get in trouble, say the right stuff… but not as popular as you’d expect in the locker room because some see them as a tad inauthentic” (34:50).

Quotes

• “Once you hear something like that, it kind of impacts when I watch games. I watch his body language on the sideline, how he interacts with teammates.” —Lance Zierlein (04:26)
• “You hear things in the locker room with Russell [Wilson]. You hear things in the locker room with Jalen Hurts. These are teammates and respected reporters.” —Colin Cowherd (34:50)

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2. Ty Simpson as a Potential Successor in Philly?

• Draft Talk: Colin floats Ty Simpson as a possible Eagles second-round target given Hurts' situation (05:02).
• Lance’s Take: Ty Simpson has potential, but is a nuanced case—one-year starters historically struggle in the NFL unless they’re eased in over time (05:26). He suggests Simpson could learn behind Hurts until 2028, offering “the Aaron Rodgers treatment,” but warns: “Once you draft a quarterback in the first round, they turn the hourglass over on your job if you’re a head coach” (06:14).

Quotes

• "Historically, one-year starters just don’t cut it… you need an organization with a plan. The Jets could be that team… but what about the Eagles?" —Lance Zierlein (05:26)
• “Ty Simpson could sit there for two years and learn under Jalen, there’s not all that pressure… Wouldn't that be an interesting selection there?” —Lance Zierlein (06:14, 36:52)

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3. Fernando Mendoza’s Pro Day & NFL Prospects

• Colin’s Enthusiasm: Colin is highly impressed by Mendoza’s physique and tape (“Looks like 245, 6'4 and a half… Like a Justin Herbert thrower. I think he’s an 'A' prospect”—06:46).
• Lance’s Analysis: Lance lauds Mendoza’s size, accuracy, and poise. Notes his lack of mobility but sees red zone performance (39 TD, 0 INT in red zone) as “incredible” (07:38).
• Colin and Lance agree he’s undervalued: “There’s no real airs… I like guys who throw touchdowns and don’t throw interceptions,” says Lance (07:38).
• Later in the hour, Colin praises Mendoza’s pro day results (53/56 completions, 2 drops), calling him “bigger, thicker, better arm, stronger than Matt Ryan coming out” (37:20, 42:02).

Quotes

• "He throws with great placement. A lot of poise and confidence. He checks a lot of boxes.” —Lance Zierlein (07:38)
• “You can almost see a chemtrail when it comes out of his hand. Honest to God, it looks like Boeing’s latest plane.” —Colin Cowherd (21:50)
• “What if he’s a lot closer to Andrew Luck than people think?” —Colin Cowherd (41:51)
• “He is better than Matt Ryan coming out.” —Colin Cowherd (42:16)

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4. Cowboys, Giants, and Dolphins Draft Strategies

• Dallas Cowboys:
  Lance mocks Sonny Styles to the Cowboys, calling him “the best inside linebacker in the draft” and a “more explosive version” of Leighton Vander Esch (08:57). He recommends defense-first, noting the depth at linebacker this year.
• New York Giants:
  Colin argues for trading down to amass picks, as the Giants have “multiple needs” (11:28).
  • Lance says Giants lack draft capital and are a likely “trade back” team but may be forced to take a WR early if they don’t want to miss out (12:52).
• Miami Dolphins:
  Colin thinks with “multiple firsts and thirds,” Miami could move up for "best right tackle" or a top receiver (11:28).
  • Lance feels Miami aren’t aggressive right now, but with “so much draft capital,” tweaking the draft board is feasible (12:52).

Quotes

• “Dallas must attack defense… It’s a really good year for linebackers. If you don’t get one in the first round, the second round should offer one up for you.” —Lance Zierlein (09:54)
• “The Giants only have two picks in the first three rounds… They are a potential trade back team, and frankly, they’re one of the tougher teams to try to figure out.” —Lance Zierlein (12:52)

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5. C.J. Stroud’s Regression & The Houston Texans

• Issues Identified: Colin asks if Stroud is regressing after a disappointing season that even led to a new haircut as a symbolic “restart” (13:52).
• Lance’s Diagnosis: Stroud is suffering from “a loss of confidence,” with sloppy footwork and shaky accuracy. Missing Case Keenum (now in Chicago) as a veteran mentor is cited as a factor (14:38). No more excuses: O-line upgraded, David Montgomery added, top receivers healthy (15:41).
• **This is a pivotal year; extension depends on this season’s performance.

Quotes

• “It manifests itself in the footwork not always being where it needs to be, which threw off some of his accuracy outside the numbers.” —Lance Zierlein (14:38)
• “The offense coordinators in year two and C.J., this is year four. If you don’t play well, it’s an official regression for C.J. Stroud.” —Lance Zierlein (15:41)

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6. League News: Cleveland Browns’ QB Room & Steph Curry’s Return

• Browns: Todd Monken discusses uncertainty at quarterback, indicating Dylan Gabriel “has not been in the building,” while Deshaun Watson is “in early.” Signals possible trade or depth issues (24:41).
• NBA: Steve Kerr updates on Steph Curry’s pending return; discussion turns to the durability of stars, especially contrasting frequent injuries to LeBron James’ longevity (25:46–28:54).
  • Colin: “It is remarkable to think about LeBron James… All these older NBA players are banged up. … LeBron just is Iron Man. It’s incredible.” (28:14)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Hurts/Wilson Comparison:
  “Both can be a little, as the kids say, cringe at the podium... There have been the same criticisms of Jalen Hurts. It’s a little inauthentic, fair, not—you hear it.” —Colin Cowherd (34:50)
• On NFL Quarterback Psychology:
  “Mendoza’s smart. He knows the textbook to be great is: Tom Brady—obsessive, grateful, humble, prepared.” —Colin Cowherd (38:41)
• On Longevity in Sports:
  “LeBron has played 292 playoff games in his career. Think about this: three and a half seasons of playoff games. … It’s crazy. We’re never—That’s why when they don’t play Wemby all the minutes, I think the Spurs are smart.” —Colin Cowherd (27:34)

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Highlighted Timestamps

• Jalen Hurts locker room drama: 03:11–04:26, 33:08–34:50
• Ty Simpson as Eagles target: 05:02–06:14, 36:52
• Fernando Mendoza pro day & QB prospects: 06:46–08:39, 21:48–22:01, 37:20–42:16
• Cowboys, Giants, Dolphins draft talk: 08:39–12:52
• C.J. Stroud/ Texans: 13:52–15:41
• Browns' QB dilemma: 24:25–25:08
• LeBron's unprecedented durability: 27:31–28:54

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Tone & Style

• Original Tone: Candid, energetic, slightly irreverent, with Colin’s signature mix of opinion and off-the-cuff analysis. Zierlein brings deep draft expertise and measured insight.

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Summary for New Listeners

This episode delivers a comprehensive, inside-baseball-style breakdown of the NFL’s hottest pre-draft rumors and spring controversies, zeroing in on the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts situation, emerging draft prospects (especially QBs Ty Simpson and Fernando Mendoza), and evolving strategies for teams like Dallas, New York, Miami, and Houston. Buried within are frank discussions about locker room chemistry, how psychological factors shape quarterback success, and the broader state of star athletes’ longevity across sports. Colin’s lively rapport with Zierlein ensures both entertainment and insight for diehard football fans and casual followers alike.

Transcript

[Lance Zierlein]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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 [e-mail] or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. Now let's get this party started.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

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[Colin Cowherd]

He just got inducted into the Texas Radio hall of Fame a couple years ago. NFL Draft Analyst NFL.com dad was a coach in the league selection committee member for the best college offensive line unit. Very respected, very popular radio host in Houston. I've been using him for years. I think his draft preview, I mean I'm on it every day. This point forward, Lance Zurline is joining us and he is joining us live. Okay, so the big story today, last August, I had a source tell me that was close to Howie Roseman. Hertz was not loved. I didn't know why necessarily that he could be a little tough to coach. And then there was a reporter that went on the Seth Meyers, not Seth Meyer show, Seth Joyner show and came out and said he pats the ball. He pats the ball coat. It frustrates the hell out of the coaches. You remember last year off a buy or the year before they asked him to throw less. And all of a sudden Jeremy Fowler comes out today and it is a dozen sources and it's like he not well liked. He's hard to coach. Your take on a team that makes radical moves with quarterbacks and coaches, even if they've been to Super Bowls. What was your first take as somebody close to the league on the Jalen Hurts story and maybe the draft?

[Lance Zierlein]

Yeah, you know, the first time I heard that information was last year before the draft. Just kind of, you know, just kind of popped up on a conversation I'd had with a league source and I was pretty shocked to hear it. I hadn't heard anything about that previously and it hasn't left my mind since then. Colin, when you hear something like that, it kind of impacts when I watch games, I watch, you know, his body language on the sideline, how he interacts with teammates. And we know he has issues with A.J. brown or A.J. brown has issues with him, I should say. You know, I don't think where there's smoke, there's usually fire with these kind of things. And I certainly think Jeremy Fowler's very respected.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, the, you know, the, the Ty Simpson stuff is interesting. I, I said I think he's going to get drafted in the 15 to 25 space. I think he's a better than other guys in recent years who have gone there. Not Lamar Jackson, obviously, but he's, he's better than a lot of guys that are drafted there. Jets, maybe. Are you a believer in Ty Simpson? Let's start with that.

[Lance Zierlein]

Oh, man, it's nuanced. Historically, one year starters just don't cut it. I mean, because you can't really learn on the fly in the NFL. It's very difficult because most of the teams who draft you, you know, the fan base and the media will start to turn on you after a couple of years. We're already seeing it with JJ McCarthy who didn't have a rookie season. He didn't have a rookie season and didn't start much in college football. I think with Ty Simpson you need to have an organization that has a plan in place, someone who's already in place and then you bring him along more slowly and you know, frankly, you know, the jets could be that team because they do have a little bit of a Runway. How about we go back to the Eagles? How about the Eagles being a potential team in the second round if they're not happy with Jalen? Jalen's under contract until 2028.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah.

[Lance Zierlein]

Ty Simpson could sit there for two years and learn under Jalen, there's not all that pressure for the first couple of years you get the Aaron Rodgers treatment. Wouldn't that be an interesting selection there? I wouldn't love him in the first round though. Really, for, for many teams because of the issues I talked about. Once you draft a quarterback in the first round, this. They turn the sand or they turn the, you know, they turn the hourglass over on your, on your job if you're a head coach. And if you don't get them developed within the first couple of years, you usually lose your job. Same thing goes with GMs.

[Colin Cowherd]

Okay. I like Fernando Mendoza more than my sources and I trust my sources. He's having his pro day today. The video's in. Lance. He looks 10 pounds heavier than he, than he played under. He looks. Here's the video. He. That looks like a franchise quarterback. He is. He looks big.

[Lance Zierlein]

Yeah.

[Colin Cowherd]

Shoulders. I mean, you know, I love Trunky guys. I'm sorry, but when I watch this video tape that looks like 245, 6, 4 and a half. I'm sorry. I mean, that ball comes out. Lance. It is. He is such an easy. Like a Justin Herbert thrower. Okay. I, I think he's an A prospect. I'm in a. You know, people are like, yo, next year he could be number four. I think he's. I like the humility, the gratitude. Where are you on him?

[Lance Zierlein]

I'm with you. I'm with you. And I trust. I trust you, Colin. I trust you. I look, I think what you see is what you get with Fernando Mendoza. There's no real errors. I hear people talk about he's kind of corny, he's this or that. I like guys who throw touchdowns and don't throw interceptions and who throw with accuracy and who are 6 foot 5, 236 plus pounds. That's just me. So I know you can keep your corny this, that, and you can keep your cool quarterbacks. I'll keep guys who throw touchdowns and. And don't give it away in the, in the red Zone. It was 39 touchdowns, no interceptions in the red zone over the last two years. I mean, and that's incredible. And one of those years was a California. That's pretty impressive. You know, he throws a great accuracy. He throws with great placement. I think he's got a lot of poise and confidence. A touchdown. You just saw him throw right there. He took punishment because he hadn't delivered it and put it in the only place that Omar Cooper could rise and get it. I think he checks a lot of boxes, Colin. He's not the most mobile outside of the pocket. You do have to really, you know, put a priority on protecting him as a passer.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. Okay, Cowboys, you have them in your mock draft? We can put it up if you want. You have them taken Sonny Stiles at Ohio State. I want them to go defense, both sides of the ball in the first round. Tell me why you think Sonny Stiles works there.

[Lance Zierlein]

I think, I think he works here easily because he's the best inside linebacker in the draft. The question will be, will he far fall there? If he gets past 5 and 6, it could be a little bit of a fall for Sonny or it could be a move up for a team to come get Sonny Styles. But he works great. Does some of Vanderash did when he was there with the Cowboys. Only, you know, this is a more explosive version of inside linebacker with Sonny Styles, former safety who can come up, rattle your cage. He can rush, he can cover, and he's got tremendous sideline to sideline range. He'd be a great pickup for Dallas, even if they had to trade up to get him. And I'm with you in the second pick of the first round, you got to stay defense. I mean, you got to go with either a safety or a corner. Probably a corner. Dallas must attack defense. And I would make. Now, the good thing is here, Colin, it's a really good year for linebackers, unusually good year for linebackers. So if you don't get one in the first round, the second round should offer your offer one up for you.

[Colin Cowherd]

Okay, I. This is a mystery to me and this is not a criticism, but I had Ryan day on yesterday. I thought a year ago I said, I think Caleb Downs is my. Is the best player in college football. I'm seeing him 16th in your draft. Every mock draft has him 12, 13. What happened? What I thought he was this. I thought he and Jeremiah Smith last year, I'm like, I think I'd make him 1 and 2 and Smith's a freshman. Why is down?

[Lance Zierlein]

I think it's really, it's really a matter of how are you going to use them. Colin the way that they used him was kind of an overhang nickel where he played there in the slot, which is a, you know, the star position, which is a really big deal. Minka Fitzpatrick played there. Brian Branch played there some at Alabama. So I mean, it's a really important position. The question is, can he translate? If he moves back, if he plays on the back end a little bit, how are you going to use him? Is he going to be like, you know, are you going to use him like Ohio State used him around the line of scrimmage as an add on defender against the run? How does he, you know, what kind of athlete is he? How fast is he? He's not the biggest guy. He's got good size, but he's not very long. His speed, I think, you know, he didn't run. I think most people believe he's probably in the 4, 5, 4 range, which is fine. I don't have a problem with that at all. But I think one of the reasons he gets kind of hemmed up a little is how are you going to use him? And you know, when I talk to NFL sources and kind of what I saw on tape is he's a really tough, impactful player. But I do question if he has enough impact to be a top 10 type of pick in the NFL draft.

[Colin Cowherd]

So I would if I was. The Giants, I think they have multiple needs. I like carnell Tate, I'd move down if I could. They have a right tackle, need a weapon, need a tight end, need a corner, need. I think now it may be very hard to trade down because we don't have a lot of quarterbacks. I would trade down if I was the Giants. I'm not a big fan of trading up. I've said before, Lance, you probably heard this rant a thousand times. I've said I would trade down every draft ever unless I needed a quarterback. And there was a great one, you know, Bears. Okay, go get Caleb. Dolphins are fascinating. They got a couple first, a second, four thirds. And I'm like, they need everything. But with Malik Willis, they need a weapon. Jalen Waddle's gone. I could see Miami, I think they're interesting. I could see them saying here we're going to give up three and a five. We've got, we've got firsts here. We've got multiple thirds and going. Getting the best right tackle Fano out of Utah. If Jeremiah Love is open at 7, Carnell Tate's available at 8. I think Miami's my team that could say, guys, we got a lot of pick here. We need four or five really exceptional players. Tackle, receiver, they don't need a back, they don't need a quarterback. Am I efficient on the Dolphins? If I said to you give me a team that you think could move up, has the capital, the need, is there one for you?

[Lance Zierlein]

Well, I think the jets at 16 could move up. You know, Aaron Glenn needs to win now. I think Darren Muji, the GM has a little bit more freedom. I think they'll be a little bit more patient with him. They have a ton of capital, draft capital as well. You make an interesting point with Miami because I think they're a long way away. I don't think they're in a rush right now to, you know, try to make it happen. But they have so much draft capital and you do have a massive needed wide receiver. I could see them tweaking the draft a little bit like you talked about. You know, the Giants are an interesting trade back team because they only have two picks in the first three rounds. And so that's one of the reasons I gave them Carnell Tate there, because if you don't get him there, if you don't get a wide receiver there to go with Jackson Dart and with Malik Neighbors, I'm not sure there's going to be one available that you like the next time you pick. So yeah, they are a trade back. They are a Potential trade back team. And frankly, they're one of the tougher teams, I think the Titans at 4, the Giants at 5, the Dolphins at 11. Those are some tough teams to try to figure out what they're going to do right now.

[Colin Cowherd]

All right, let me look at this real quick. Okay. Finally you're in Houston. I like C.J. stroud. I like him a lot, but I mean, he got his haircut after the season. It was almost like he wanted to wash the whole season away. I saw a picture of him. I'm like, he just, he went with the appearance change. I'm like, is he regressing? Is it coaching? Is it lack of a run game? If Woody Marks didn't play last year, it felt like he didn't have run support. What's going on with CJ Stroud is huge. I've heard Rams rumors is, are they still all in on C.J. i think he throws a beautiful ball, but man, he had some bad picks. Man, the turnovers are concerning what is going on with him.

[Lance Zierlein]

I think it's a loss of confidence, really. It manifests itself in the footwork not always being where it needs to be, which, which, you know, threw off some of his, his accuracy outside the numbers. And this is over the last two years. It was not just last year. It just hasn't been the same. His, his, his rookie season. I think a couple of things to keep an eye on. They change quarterback coach. We'll see now. So you know who's not in the building now that was in the building in 2023 and is now in Chicago is Case Keenum. And Case Keenum is a phenomenal set of second eyes. And there's. And it's not a surprise that the Bears re up Case Keenum because he's basically like another quarterback in that room. He's like another quarterback coach. And I think CJ really misses having a guy like that in his ear. Someone who has a second set of eyes on the field to give him some confidence and really give him a different feel from a quarterback standpoint about what the defense is doing. Nick Cassetto's done a great job. They've added offensive linemen. There's no excuses there. They've added David Montgomery to go with Woody Marks.

[Colin Cowherd]

I like that move a lot. I like that move.

[Lance Zierlein]

Yeah, I do too. I'm a big David Montgomery fan. Tank Dell is back. Jaden Higgins in year two. Nico Collins is, you know, a very good wide receiver. There's really no excuses. The offense coordinators in year two and CJ this is year four. If you don't play well it's an official regression for CJ Stroud. This is a monster year for him. He will get his fifth year option. That's going to happen but the extension can't happen, Colin until you see the same quarterback or a better version that you saw when he was a rookie.

[Colin Cowherd]

Okay. Lance Erlein. Watch his stuff. NFL.com you're a busy guy. Congrats. I know I'm late on this on the Texas Radio hall of Fame. All your success my man. You. You do great work. I appreciate it.

[Lance Zierlein]

I appreciate it.

[Colin Cowherd]

Thanks Colin. Yeah he his draft previews are great. He gave no bull just gets right to it. I thought was interesting Philadelphia Ty Simpson. I mean think about it. What what are their needs? I mean what what is. I mean the corners are the best in the game. They've got receivers, tight ends, offensive tackles. Saquon Barkley. What are the Philadelphia Eagles? Need answer Nothing more efficiency at quarterback. I mean there are very few teams I look at. I mean Rams, they don't really have after they got Trent McDuffie at corner. You're like, they don't have a. They don't have big knees. Even Seattle, as good as they are, you're like kind of wish they had a number two receiver, you know what I mean? Like Philadelphia and the Rams. I'm not sure what their needs are. Ty Simpson, Philadelphia. Let's get that party started. Be sure to catch live editions of

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Hey, when you have standards, can't rest on your laurels.

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Joe Burrow has made. What was the last time Burrow made the playoffs?

[Colin Cowherd]

Okay.

[T-Mobile Ad Participant 2]

That's right.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, but look at his owner.

[T-Mobile Ad Participant 2]

Oh, yeah, now we're blaming the owner.

[Colin Cowherd]

J. Mac with an I love it. No, no, no.

[Lance Zierlein]

Turn on the news.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

This is the herd line news.

[T-Mobile Ad Participant 2]

This is just so damn fun. All right, let's go to the NFL Draft. 22 days away. Fernando Mendoza. Look at his pro day. He look, he's looking juiced up. He was working out with me. Look at us big guys who like to get jacked.

[Colin Cowherd]

He's swole dude.

[T-Mobile Ad Participant 2]

Who's tackling that guy?

[Colin Cowherd]

Look at the ball. You can almost see a chemtrail when it comes out of his hand. Honest to God, it looks like Boeing's latest plane. It flies out of his hand. I can see passengers on that jet.

[T-Mobile Ad Participant 2]

I mean, goodness gracious. Now here's the problem. Clint Kubiak opened his mouth and he's talking about whether or not Mendoza is going to start right away. I don't like this at all. Here we go.

[Colin Cowherd]

I want to hear this.

[Clint Kubiak]

In a perfect world that he's watching a mature adult, you know, go and run an offense and run the team. But, you know, you just, you know, the situation is you might have that player, you might not. You might. You might not have that veteran to show him the way. So he might come in and have to play immediately. But you'd rather. You'd rather him learn before he gets in the game. You don't always get to pick. It just doesn't work out the exact way you want it to. But at the end of the day, you want to make sure that you're bringing in an individual, drafting a guy that you know is mature enough to handle. Handle some adversity, whether it's him starting the first game or him starting first game, year two.

[Colin Cowherd]

What bothers you?

[T-Mobile Ad Participant 2]

What are we doing? I mean, it's not like he's a young guy who got one year of starting, like Ty Simpson. How many years has he started in college? He started at Cal, started Indiana. Kubiak used the word mature. You could argue the most mature quarterback to enter the league in years.

[Colin Cowherd]

Here's my take on Mendoza. They're going to draft him. He's going to go to camp and it's going to be like Andrew Luck. They're going to go, holy crap, he is better than we thought and we liked him. I think he's going to blow people away.

[T-Mobile Ad Participant 2]

Yeah, he should compare that to Geno Smith, who was the other guy, the guy from Purdue who was there for a minute, who was terrible. I mean, listen, this whole like Patrick Mahomes sat. Aaron Rodgers sat. They sat behind quarterbacks who were studs. Alex Smith was the number one pick, went to the playoffs. Brett Favre needs no introduction. Like this is not that the Raiders need to start him from the jump. I don't even like that stat. We put up quarterback. Rookie quarterback starting are 1 in 10. Well, yeah, because they're going to crap teams. Right? Like most of those are rookie quarterbacks going to awful teams who are drafting high. Mendoza is just built different. I just don't like this at all.

[Colin Cowherd]

All right, J. Mac, J. Mack with the news. Oh, you're not done yet. My bad, my bad.

[T-Mobile Ad Participant 2]

We can wrap it up.

[Colin Cowherd]

I mean, my bad. You have another one. My bad.

[T-Mobile Ad Participant 2]

We actually got two more. But we are talking about the Cleveland Browns. Do you want to talk about them or no?

[Colin Cowherd]

Of course.

[T-Mobile Ad Participant 2]

We can do Browns action if you want. I know it's not very exciting, but Todd Monken is talking about his quarterback room and it sounds like Dylan Gabriel. He's not doing the things you need to do to get back into position to start here. He is

[Todd Monken]

the evenly dispersed, but we'll definitely disperse them to give ourselves a chance to at least evaluate who we have on the roster, whoever that might be as we go through the off season. Well, it's too early to really evaluate him other than it's been great that he's been in the building.

[Lance Zierlein]

It's.

[Todd Monken]

It's refreshing to see a player that recognizes where he's at and where he wants to get to.

[Lance Zierlein]

And Gabriel hasn't been in Dylan, as

[Todd Monken]

far as I know. He has not. I have not seen Dylan yet. Deshawn was in early when I got the job, so I got a chance

[Lance Zierlein]

to sit down with him.

[T-Mobile Ad Participant 2]

That doesn't sound great. Something's going on there. Dylan Gabriel. What, is he not showing up? Doesn't seem like him. Maybe they're trading him.

[Colin Cowherd]

That's interesting. Yeah.

[T-Mobile Ad Participant 2]

I don't know. I mean, listen. And then you got the owner coming out saying, Deshaun Watson, oh my gosh, he has a decent chance to be the starter.

[Colin Cowherd]

I will say this. All my owners talking less Stefanski, like Dylan Gabriel. Dylan Gabriel like Stefanski, Atlanta perhaps third stringer.

[T-Mobile Ad Participant 2]

We don't know if Penix is healthy.

[Colin Cowherd]

Just collect.

[T-Mobile Ad Participant 2]

They need all the left handed quarterbacks in Atlanta basically. Final story, Colin. Let's go to Steph Curry. He's been out since January 30th with a right knee injury. And Steve Kerr keeps thinking that he's going to return soon. Apparently Curry had his first full practice yesterday and he may show up Sunday against the rockets. Warriors are 10th in the West. They will face almost certainly Portland in the play in game. The league without Steph Curry just, I mean it's not as amazing. Luckily Luke has been on fire. Wembanyama is awesome, but I miss Steph Curry, you know, every night this guy's just cooking everybody. A real great ambassador for the league.

[Colin Cowherd]

You know it really when you, when you think about Steph or Giannis, when you think about these guys, doesn't that make LeBron seem more amazing? Like Steph is beat up this year. He's had injuries and he's younger than LeBron and Giannis has had multiple injuries. He's much younger than LeBron. And it's just, it is remarkable to think about LeBron James. He just, he had about a two year stretch in LA where he was getting dinged up. Just it was about, it felt like a couple year, year and a half he was kind of getting dinged up. When I watch all these older NBA players, I mean obviously LeBron does not have the jet fuel. He's not going to play 42 minutes a night back to back like that. But it just, it goes and it's a very young league now. I mean go, go to the team. Thunders young, spurs young, even Jokic this year got hurt. Like it's just, it's, it's just incredible that LeBron never gets banged up. To me it's remarkable. Kevin Durant gets banged up, Kawhi Leonard gets banged up. Damian Lillard got old very fast.

[T-Mobile Ad Participant 2]

Somehow LeBron just stays LeBron.

[Colin Cowherd]

Think about this. This number is crazy. Del Curry's on the show tomorrow. LeBron has played 292 playoff games in his career. So he has played, think about this, three and a half seasons of playoff games. In those games you play more minutes, you guard better. Players are much more intense.

[T-Mobile Ad Participant 2]

I mean, wait, means he's working like season 25 right now. When you add the playoff game. That's absurd.

[Colin Cowherd]

That's just crazy. We're never, I mean that's why when they don't play Wemby all the minutes. I think the spurs are smart.

[Clint Kubiak]

Yeah.

[Colin Cowherd]

It's not about Wemby's minutes. It's about his impact. And you're saying anybody that's seven, four. We have a history in the NBA of, like, big guys getting banged up, clotting. Like, it's stuff you have to worry about. So I don't care what Wemby. Wemby average 28 minutes a game. But when he's on the floor, they're unstoppable. I don't have a problem. I mean, obviously, if you got to the finals of the Western Conference finals, you're going to push him physically as much as you can. But, I mean, I just. I just. Every time I hear about an old guy getting hurt or a young guy getting hurt, I'm like, brawl just is just. It's just Iron Man. It's incredible. Are you done now?

[T-Mobile Ad Participant 2]

Let's see here. Yeah. Yeah, we're good.

[T-Mobile Ad Participant 1]

Yeah.

[Todd Monken]

Okay.

[Colin Cowherd]

I just. I don't know why I jumped the gun on.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

And thanks for stopping by the herd lie news.

[Colin Cowherd]

You know, I just get very frenetic on this show. I got things to talk about. Just scooting guys out of the way. I don't even need my lead blocker. Just let me get the hole and I'll burst right through it. Hold on. Yeah. You know what? It was the Fernando Mendoza pro day threw me off. I'm so giddy, I can't even see straight. This may be the best I've ever seen a quarterback look in shorts and a T shirt. It's like a superhero. Just. I mean, I'm sorry, man. That. That is what a franchise quarterback looks like. Sorry for the radio audience. I apologize. Just. I mean, just big, effortless. Six, four and a half. 242, 45. Trunky in Chicago, it's the hurricane. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio. FS1 and the iHeartRadio app service opens doors.

[Colin Cowherd]

And at the American Military University, it can open doors for the whole family. If you have a loved one who served in the military, you may qualify for reduced tuition. AMU offers flexible online programs designed to fit your schedule so you can keep moving forward wherever life takes you. Learn [e-mail] Military open doors to the future for you and your family with the help of American Military University. Hey heard, listen up. Sports and steaks go hand in hand, and True Nature Meats is delivering an incredible offer. They're precooked New York strip steaks are insanely tender, juicy and packed with rich beefy flavor that melts in every bite. Ready in just four minutes in a warm skillet, buy 10 New York strip steaks and get 10 free sirloin steaks. 20 steaks total up to 80% less than what high end steakhouses charge for these same premium cuts. And here's the best part. It comes out to about $7.40 per steak. Incredible value. With over 30 years supplying top restaurants, True Nature Meats delivers restaurant quality flavor straight to your kitchen, fast and easy. Only 250 promo codes will work, so this is extremely limited. Head to True Nature meats.com right now. Use the promo code. Free steak. That's true nature meats.com free steak. Don't miss out. This is a real deal.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

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[T-Mobile Ad Participant 2]

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[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

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[Lance Zierlein]

Really?

[Colin Cowherd]

How's this?

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

T Mobile's faster than that, bud. Speed up.

[Todd Monken]

No.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Plus they've got a five year price guarantee. Come on. Faster.

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[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

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[Bethany Frankel]

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[Colin Cowherd]

All right. Big drama today was Jeremy Faustin where ESPN came out 12 sources on things are not great in Philadelphia. They have been running through coordinators. We've, we've talked about this ad nauseam for years. Is that it's a very offensive coordinator dependent franchise, is that when Nick Ceriani called the plays, it was a mess. He gave them to Shane Steichen. It was good. Steichen leaves, it's a mess. Hire a new coordinator, Kellen Moore, it works. He leaves, it's a mess. So, you know, Mahomes hurts. You know, certain guys, Herbert Mahomes Allen, aren't as coordinator dependent. Jalen Hurts is. And the story today is he's hard to coach and he's frustrating people in the building. And you know, Philadelphia is insanely aggressive with acquisitions, trades, moving off a coach that wins a Super bowl against Belichick or a quarterback who did. Here is Nick Wright earlier on the drama. The story with Jalen Hurts in Philly,

[Nick Wright]

one of the reasons A.J. brown in consecutive seasons could light that locker room on fire and remain popular amongst his teammates is because I think guys are like, well, somebody's got to say it. I'm glad AJ Will take the hit for us. You can never ask question, can you win with Jalen Hurts? They did win and they at one point won like 21 out of his 22 starts.

[Colin Cowherd]

You need a specific type of team

[Nick Wright]

to have peak success with Jalen.

[Colin Cowherd]

He had that.

[Nick Wright]

I don't know that they have it anymore.

[Colin Cowherd]

And in what's really interesting, I mean, it's almost a perfect comp with Russell Wilson. Russell had to transfer in college. Neither went first round because of size. Both very productive in college, Both very good at the podium, never get in trouble, say the right stuff. Both struggle sitting in the pocket because of size. Both very elusive. Both have great success early in their career in their prime, get a lot of credit for it. Both can be a little, as the kids say, cringe at the podium, you know, let it ride, go Hawks. Doesn't bother me, but it bothers a lot of people. There have been the same criticisms of Jalen Hurts. It's a little inauthentic, fair, not you hear it. And then lot of success, big contract and some resentment in the room. I mean, I've said this before, it may not be fair and people have picked on Russell Wilson, but it is interesting that when he got married, there weren't a lot of teammates there. A lot of guys called him out. He and Pete Carroll will say nice things publicly, but not ideal. It's a lot of the same stuff with Jalen Hurts. And you know, for the record, there are qualities about both I really, really like. They're grown ups, they're adults, they're very optimistic, they're very positive. They don't start fires. But you hear things in the locker room with Russell. You hear things in the locker room with Jalen Hurts. And these are teammates and respected reporters. And I heard last August and I was surprised when I heard was like, he not that popular in the locker room. And I was like, all right, Yeah, I was surprised when I heard about Russell Wilson seemed like a nice guy. I don't get it. Some guys play in the locker room, some don't. Here's Lance Zurline earlier on. Maybe the Philadelphia Eagles are looking at Ty Simpson in the draft.

[Lance Zierlein]

How about the Eagles being a potential team in the second round if they're not happy with Jalen? Jalen's under contract until 2028. Ty Simpson could sit there for two years and learn. Under Jalen, there's not all that pressure. For the first couple of years, you get the Aaron Rodgers treatment. Wouldn't that be an interesting selection there? I wouldn't love him in the first round though, really, for. For many teams because of the issues I talked about.

[Colin Cowherd]

All right. I know I've been a little gaga on Fernando Mendoza and I don't think pro days mean anything, but you know how sometimes somebody walks into a room and you're like, wow, that's impressive. You've been working out, bro. Or you get your hair cut or. I'm just telling you, when this image goes on the screen, he looks bigger. And we'll find out the stories. He looks a little bigger, a little thicker than he did at college. And I never thought the Athletic has an NFL reporter there. And I'm following on the screen what my staff because they can read it during the show. Jeff Howe. I know Jeff Howe. Quote, Fernando Mendoza had an impressively clean throwing session, completed 53 of 56 passes, two drops through 56 passes in 20 minutes. Two very quick breaks. Really impressive workout. So basically, one incompletion, 53 at 56 with two drops. My guys like him. I love him. His hair even looks like a franchise quarterback. I'm sorry. You know, it is interesting that, you know, the knock on him is, you know, he's a little robotic. That's what they said about Justin Herbert. And Herbert, every GM I talk to loves Herbert, is that here's the upside to being a little predictable and a little robotic. I know you're not going to be guy that Just takes off. Think about the psychology of it. If you're not a great athlete, Mendoza, Matt Ryan, Jared Goff, Matt Stafford's a great athlete, but not a. Not a mover. What does it force you to do, Peyton Manning? Be better in the pocket, right? Like the reality of life. Kids figure it out very quickly. Let's say you're a 7 year old boy, 8 year old boy, 9 year old boy, 10 year old boy, and the girls make fun of you. Don't you think it's more likely you go into math, science? You're not going to go. You're not. I mean, I always said you want to find an unhappy guy. It's not about the parents, it's about how girls treat him in high school and college is that women dictate a lot of men's happiness. And I think when you're A young man, 17, 18, 19, 20, how people treat you, figure things out on the fly is that, hey, I'm social, I'm awkward. I knew very early I was awkward socially and I'm just awkward. I don't like going to parties. But some people are very social and handsome and this and that. Mendoza's smart. He knows the textbook to be great. Is Tom Brady obsessive, grateful, humble, prepared. There's a story came out the other day. He's already memorizing the Raiders playbook. And I think, I mean, Peyton Manning figured out very early with his brothers. He was less athletic than his dad, he was less athletic than this guy. Peyton Manning figured out very quickly, I'm going to win with preparation. I mean, for now. I think guys know it. I also think if you're Josh Allen and you're just running over people in high school and college, it's not that you don't do film study, but you may not grind the tape quite as much as Jared Goff. Who knows? Without the ability to make quick reads, Jared Goff's going to get hit. And so I think I'm just going to speak for men. We figure out at very quick ages where we fit in life if we pay attention. Are we social? Are we not, are we athletic? I mean, I remember the first time I went to college and played basketball with Division 1 players, like top players. One practice I was like, yep, well, I'm going to be a broadcaster.

[T-Mobile Ad Participant 2]

Well, we all change, Colin. You grow and develop and everything. I mean, I don't want to go there. Back to your Mendoza point on him as a quarterback, looking great in shorts and a T shirt. If some people out there needed that film. Oh well that's the guy. That's my Raiders. I think that's, that's an issue. Go go put on his tape against Penn State that game winning drive. Go watch the tape against Alabama carving them up or I don't know any drive against Miami in the second half. Like I've I've felt this way about Ben Da for a while. He slam dunk number one. All these guys on the fence.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, I don't know. That's an easy one. Nobody, nobody disputes that. My I'm not saying he's Andrew Locke, but what if he's a lot closer than people think?

[T-Mobile Ad Participant 2]

Well then the Raiders will be Raiders will be pretty good next the feeling

[Colin Cowherd]

is his comp is Matt Ryan. He is bigger, thicker, better arm, stronger than Matt Ryan.

[T-Mobile Ad Participant 2]

And Matt Ryan coming out was pretty, pretty damn good coming out of and

[Colin Cowherd]

I'm saying this kid's a bigger thick. That's my take. He's better than Matt Ryan coming out.

[T-Mobile Ad Participant 2]

I don't hate it. I mean and you used the word trunky like six times today. So are you gonna go hug a tree like after this show?

[Colin Cowherd]

Sam Darnold, Super Bowl Champ Trunky Twitchy.

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[Colin Cowherd]

[e-mail] service opens doors and at the American Military University, it can open doors for the whole family. If you have a loved one who served in the military, you may qualify for reduced tuition. AMU offers flexible online programs designed to fit your schedule so you can keep moving forward wherever life takes you. Learn [e-mail] Military open doors to the future for you and your family with the help of American Military University.

[Bethany Frankel]

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[Lance Zierlein]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Colin Cowherd]

Guaranteed Human.