April 11, 2025 • 42 mins
Jason shares his AFC playoff teams and why he has the Chiefs missing for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era
Ja Morant is still making poor decisions
Guest: Ben Volin
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Thanks for listening to The Herd podcast. Be sure to
catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in
noon to three Eastern nine am to noon Pacific. Find
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Speaker 2 (00:21):
You're listening to Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Our number two here on the Herd. It's a fun Friday, folks.
Oh you like that alliteration? Alex got Alex Curry joining me,
got on my case earlier for being a little negative.
So we're gonna start this hour positive.
Speaker 4 (00:39):
What No, you're not. You're like, you're coming out like
blazing today, which you kind of got an applease yesterday
fired up? Yeah, good for you.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
I like it.
Speaker 4 (00:50):
Ending the week on the strong note.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Well, I told you it spicy.
Speaker 4 (00:53):
We'd like a little spicy Friday.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Only time someone came after me in public was watch
someone in public. It was this meatball at downtown over
a Cam Newton take from like two years ago. Oh
I was here, Yeah, yeah, I remember. I heard that
guy was upset at that. I was like, bro, that
was like two years ago. That was a dake.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
Since then, Okay, keep him coming.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
I listen, what I'm about to say is real and authentic.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
Let's go maybe not.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
Shador Sanders level, keeping it real. But there's this guy
in the NBA named Joah Moran and he is a
phenomenal basketball player.
Speaker 5 (01:26):
Period.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Like three years ago, John Morant was on track to
be the face of the NBA.
Speaker 4 (01:31):
I looked this up.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
In his third year, Memphis got to the conference semifinals,
and this guy was dynamite, just an outstanding player. And
it has gone rapidly downhill for Jamaran. So last night
he's playing against the Minnesota Timberwolves and John Moran, who
earlier this week was doing a gun celebration pointing out
(01:53):
at the Warrior's bench. I believe it was at Buddy Healed.
And now Jah Moran has decided since he got told
stop doing the gun celebration, guy who was in trouble
for having a gun on Instagram Live, he decided, Okay,
let me pivot off the guns and I'll go to
a grenade celebration. So last night, John Moran bangs the
three against Minnesota in another loss. By the way, Minnesota
(02:15):
smoked him, and here you see on the screen John
Moran three, He's all excited, pulls the pin, chucks the
grenade and cover his ears. My guy, what are we doing?
Somebody on our staff? I should call him out by name,
but I'm not going to. I thought it was a
great take. Is he trying to get his way out
of Memphis? Like it's possible, unlikely, but possible. Why do
(02:38):
you keep doing dumb things? This is not a cool celebration.
You know, are guys jealous that Steph Curry has the
sleep thing when he hit the three late in the game.
I mean he did at the Olympics and it's an
iconic image. He does it in the NBA. It's pretty awesome.
So John's like, I need my signature thing. How about winning?
How about playing for your coach? You know, the Memphis
(03:00):
has been a little rocky this season, which adds to
the potential. Is joh trying to get out of Memphis?
So Memphis, their head coach, kind of had let John
Morant do his thing and whatever, and then he keeps
getting hurt. So they're like, we need some protections. Let's
bring in some assistant coaches who are going to take
the ball out of Jaw's hands and make everyone else
better make it more well rounded. And so that worked
(03:24):
for a little while and Jaw's numbers came down, but
then it stopped working and Jos said, bleep this, I'm
gonna get mine. And then they end up firing the coach,
and so it's this weird tug of war inside Memphis internally,
do we want to ride Jaw or do we want
to get everybody better? This reminds me and I'm not
comparing Ja Morant to Michael Jordan. It's just an obvious
(03:45):
coaching strategy. Michael Jordan had the run of the show
in Chicago Doug Collins, who he loved as head coach. Doug,
you want me to do me? I got you. I'm
gonna get thirty five. Oh, we're gonna lose in the
second round the playoffs. So they bring in Phil Jackson
and Text Winter and they put in a triangle offense.
We're structure for Michael. Michael, We're gonna take a few
(04:07):
shots away from you. We're gonna spread the wealth, but
we're gonna be unstoppable. Now, the timing was great for
Jordan and the Bulls and Phil Jackson. The rest of
the East was weakening the Celtics were breaking down the
Pistons definitely broke down the Ewings Nicks, my favorite team
of my youth. They could never take down the Bulls
in a playoff series that mattered and the rest is history.
(04:31):
You know, Michael Jordan rides a triangle offense to massive success,
six titles. Blah blah blah. Is there a world where
John Morant can fall in line for the betterment of
the team and franchise? And given his track record in
the last I don't know four years, I'm gonna go
in and say that's not happening. Okay. I like Ja
Moran as a player. I know he's immensely popular among
(04:52):
the young kids, but he is losing that grip the
same way Zion who was supposed to be facing the league.
It was like him and Joamran, can they be the
face of the league? Can they share it? Because they're
dynamic and explosive and just high level athletes, and neither
of them has been able to a stay healthy and
be get their act together off the court. John Moran
(05:13):
just advice. You don't need to take ditch the grenade
celebration man, Just play basketball, be a leader and win
some games. That's probably your best bet to get back
on top. All right, let's welcome into the show a
great guest. He covers the NFL for the Boston Globe,
Ben Volin. Ben, it is great to have you.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Man.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
It's a good time to be a Patriots fan, right.
Colin Cowhard loves them, I said earlier in the show, Ben,
I think they're a playoff team this year. That may
be a bridge too far, but you've got a good
coach in mister Frabel.
Speaker 5 (05:46):
Huh, you know what.
Speaker 6 (05:48):
Things are looking a lot brighter in Foxborough these days.
They've got I think a very quality coach and Mike
Rabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. I think that was
a great hire. They've got a young quarterback and Drake May.
They've won the offseason spending all this money on free agents,
Milton Williams, Stefan Diggs, Harold Landry. Things are the arrow
is definitely pointing up in Foxborough, and it's not crazy
(06:11):
to predict them as a playoff team. I mean, I
don't think they're going to be a real contender, but
if the Commanders can do it in one year, if.
Speaker 5 (06:20):
The Minnesota Vikings can go from last.
Speaker 6 (06:21):
Place to the playoffs. Why can't the Patriots go nine
to eight or ten to seven and sneak into the
playoffs next year?
Speaker 7 (06:28):
I think the.
Speaker 6 (06:29):
Expectations are definitely a lot higher in Foxborough than they
were in the past.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
So I don't want to go back to last year
too much because I'm sure it was a ghastly time
for you covering the team. They were obviously very bad.
But did they need to just take out a lot
of guys who weren't meant for that locker room, weren't
a good fit, and Vrabel's now reshaping the roster in
his vision.
Speaker 6 (06:50):
Yeah, I don't think the issue was like a spoiled
locker room that.
Speaker 5 (06:54):
I don't think attitude was the reason. I think it
was talent.
Speaker 6 (06:57):
This is a team that for the last four to
five years under Bill Belichick really struggled to draft, and
it all came to a head the last year or
two where they just didn't have much veteran talent. You know,
back in twenty twenty one, they had to go out
and overpay for several free agents like Hunter Henry Matthew Judon.
That's a clear reflection of poor drafting and same thing
(07:17):
this offseason with all the money that the Patriots have spent.
I mean, last year, they had the worst offensive line,
the worst group of receivers. Drake may was playing with
nothing last year. So I wouldn't say that it's it
was like a bad attitude or they had to, you know,
get rid of some rotten apples in the locker room.
Speaker 5 (07:35):
They just need to add talent.
Speaker 6 (07:37):
And if you're GIROD Mayo, I think you're wondering, well,
where was this free agency spending last year? The Patriots
didn't really bring in many top guys from from the
outside last year, And I think if you're GIWD Mayo,
it's like, well, you know, gee, it's nice that Mike
Rabo can get all this talent, but where was this
talent for me last year?
Speaker 4 (07:53):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (07:54):
I think I saw stap Ben that the Patriots had
the most different starting offensive line combinations in the league.
That might have been from you or someone, but like
they could just couldn't figure it out. Have they done
enough in free agency to solidify the old line or
do you think they still stick with offensive line at
four in the draft?
Speaker 6 (08:11):
No, I mean offensive line is still definitely a big question,
and left tackle is the one glaring hole that they
didn't fill in free agency. They got a receiver and
Stefan Diggs. They got a lot of help on defense,
a cornerback, Carlton Davis, Milton Williams, defensive tackle, Roberts Mullane linebacker.
The one hole they didn't fill was left tackle. They
brought in Morgan Moses, the thirty four year old veteran
(08:33):
from the Jets. He'll be on the right side, but
the Patriots still definitely need to find an answer at
left tackle.
Speaker 5 (08:40):
You know, it's not a it's an interesting decision they
face at number four.
Speaker 6 (08:44):
There's not like a guaranteed, sure thing left tackle prospect
like Joe Ault last year who went to the Chargers.
You know, Will Campbell from LSU is an excellent football player,
a top prospect, maybe the best lineman in the draft.
But there is some concern about his size and his measures.
You know, the whole arm length thing. Does he have
the arm length to be a left tackle in the NFL?
(09:05):
And I think that's what the Patriots are facing right now.
See the guy they want to take it for or
is that a little high for a guy who you're not.
Speaker 7 (09:11):
Quite sure is going to be a left tackle and
might ultimately have to play guard in the NFL.
Speaker 5 (09:15):
But you know, protecting Drake may is the number one.
Speaker 6 (09:19):
Goal for the Patriots this year, and I don't know
if they've done enough. Bringing in Morgan Moses and center
Kartt Bradberry for Minnesota. Those are good moves, but you know,
adding a left tackle, You know, getting Will Campbell in
the draft will look good on paper, but then there
will be questions, of course, if he can actually play
the position in the NFL.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
So let's just assume that Cam Wore goes one, Travis
Hunter two, an Abdul Carter three, although I find it
hard to believe the Giants would take another defensive lineman,
but who knows. If the Patriots don't go offensive tackle?
Do you have a wild card? Is Ashton gent in play?
Is that too crazy? Is there? Tyler Warren? The tight
end seems a little rich force seems to be kind
(10:00):
of a tough spot here for the Patriots.
Speaker 5 (10:02):
It is a tough spot for the Patriots.
Speaker 6 (10:05):
Who are I think if you're sitting therefore, you're praying
that Travis Hunter or Abduall Carter falls to you and
makes it a very easy decision, and really it highlights
just how awful that Week eighteen win was for the
Patriots over the Bills last year when Joe Milton came
in and won the game, dropped them from number one
to four.
Speaker 5 (10:23):
If they were sitting at number one right now, they
could trade that.
Speaker 6 (10:25):
Pick to Tennessee or Cleveland, get a nice haul, and
still feel good about getting Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter.
Now they're kind of inmpurgatory with that fourth pick. If
they decide Will Campbell's not their guy. There's another offensive tackle,
armand Membu from Missouri.
Speaker 5 (10:39):
He looks the part, but he's only been.
Speaker 6 (10:41):
A right tackle and moving him to the left side
a little bit of a projection and then otherwise I
think the Patriots go pass rusher.
Speaker 5 (10:47):
He can never have enough of those guys.
Speaker 6 (10:49):
Rabel seems to want guys who can pin their ears
back and get after the quarterback. And the guy that's
gaining some buzz is Jaylon Walker from University of Georgia.
Just a freak of an athlete. Can play on the
line of scrimmage, to play off the ball. You can
do a lot of different things with him. He'd be
I think a tremendous piece in the Patriots defense. You know,
the one issue is this draft is stacked.
Speaker 7 (11:10):
With pass rushers.
Speaker 6 (11:11):
There's going to be almost maybe twenty guys in the
top three or so rounds to go. So do you
necessarily need to take a pass rusher at number four
when there are fewer left tackles, there are fewer tight
ends available. I would love for them to get Warren
from Penn State Ashton Genty from Boise State.
Speaker 5 (11:26):
I don't think they go there.
Speaker 6 (11:28):
I don't think that's a team that's ready to take
a running back with number four. But they do need
playmakers on offense. That's been the Patriots' biggest issue the
last two years, as they've finished thirty first and thirtieth
in scoring. They need playmakers. So Ashton Genty would be fun.
He'd be a controversial pick. I don't see them making it.
I think it's going to be either Will Campbell, armand
(11:48):
Membu one of the tackles, or jayl On Walker probably
the pass rusher one.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
More on the Patriots, Coward really likes this team this year.
He started to convince me, like, hey man, there's something there.
Obviously they're going to be better than the Jets and Justin
Fields at quarterback. Can they be better than the Miami Dolphins?
Speaker 4 (12:06):
Is the question?
Speaker 3 (12:07):
Is that a realistic expectation. Let's assume Tyree Kill's playing
for the Dolphins this season, of course.
Speaker 6 (12:13):
Yeah, I mean, honestly, I think it's very realistic that
the Patriots could finish second in the division this year.
Speaker 5 (12:18):
Not a fan of what the Dolphins have done.
Speaker 6 (12:20):
I think this is a team that needs a hard reset,
but they have stood by their coach, their quarterback, and
their GM.
Speaker 5 (12:26):
I don't know.
Speaker 6 (12:27):
The Dolphins to me feel like a team that is
about to fall apart in twenty twenty five. They've really
lacked discipline the last few years, haven't been able to
get over that hump, and then have really struggled in
high leverage situations, bad weather, important games, December playoff teams.
I'm not a big fan of where the Dolphins are headed,
and I think, like I said, the arrow is definitely
pointing up for the Patriots.
Speaker 5 (12:48):
I think Mike Rabel is going to be.
Speaker 6 (12:49):
An excellent coach for them, really instilling an attitude and
the culture that's been missing the last few years. They've
already increased their talent. You know, we'll see what Stefan
Diggs can give them. The Patriots put a lot of
protection in that contract in case he's not quite the
same player coming back from that ADL. But Drake May
in year two, he's gonna have a lot more talent
around him. The defense should be better, and I just
(13:10):
think the coaching with Rabel and Josh McDaniels is gonna
be a lot better than what Drake May and the.
Speaker 7 (13:14):
Patriots got last year.
Speaker 6 (13:15):
So I definitely think that they can finish second in
that division and compete for a wildcard.
Speaker 3 (13:20):
All right, One more on the Patriots. I forgot so Rabel. Historically,
gamblers love him because he does more with less seemingly
than any coach in like the last fifteen years. He's
a great, great schemer and a mastermind and a leader.
I'm just curious, what are your early impressions with him.
Will the Patriots look radically different as an offensive team
next year?
Speaker 6 (13:42):
Well, yes, but just because you know, last year's offense
was radically different for them under Alex van Pelt, more
of the West Coast scheme that he brought.
Speaker 7 (13:49):
From Green Bay.
Speaker 6 (13:50):
Now they're going back to the Josh McDaniels offense, which
everyone around here is very familiar with over the last
twenty years. So it's gonna be different. It's not gonna
be like Tom Brady running the show. But Josh McDaniels
has been very adaptable. He's worked with Cam Newton, mac Jones,
Matt Castle. So I expect Josh McDaniels and his staff
to put Drake May in a position to succeed. And
(14:11):
I think Drake May's to me, that's a great coach
for him, having McDaniels who kind of tutor him, and
I think Drake May is definitely on the up and up.
Speaker 5 (14:19):
You know with Rabel and.
Speaker 6 (14:20):
Tennessee, you know, the people down there will like to
point out that with the more power he got with
the team, the kind of the worst day they did,
and then once he lost Arthur Smith, his offensive pointner,
that's when Tannehill and the rest of the offense didn't
start doing as well. But Vrabel, to me, is a
terrific motivator and he's a great leader.
Speaker 5 (14:38):
He's he's exactly what.
Speaker 6 (14:39):
This program needs. A guy who's been there and done that.
He's one coach of the year, He's won playoff games.
He came into Foxborough and won a playoff game and
beat Tom Brady. He's got confidence, he was a player,
he won as a player, like he's everything. With all
due respect to John Mayo, Rabel Blint brings a lot
more to the table than Mayo did last year as
(15:00):
far as leadership. And I know things didn't end well
for Rabel and Tennessee, but I think there's something to
be said for having a guy who has made some
mixed mistakes and is willing to learn from them. And
I definitely see that Brabel every time I've heard him
speak so far, three or four times in the offseason,
you know, you just listen and you're like, man, this
is the perfect guy for this team and this situation.
(15:20):
And I really do like the way that he's got
the program headed right now.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
All right, Two real quick ones, big picture AFC. I
made a case earlier the Chiefs will regress this season.
I have not gone online to see how bad people
hate me for it, but Ben, I mean eleven to
zero in one score games. We know historically that flips
year to year. And they haven't done anything to help
their roster this offseason. They picked up a backup left
(15:43):
tackle from the Niners, hoping that he will salveage your
offensive line traded away. Tuney, listen, man, you can't stay
on top forever in the NFL. That's the reason we
have this salary cap. The league is structured for parody.
Do you see the Chiefs regressing they win in fifteen games?
We know that right well?
Speaker 6 (15:59):
I mean, I like everything you're saying here, Jmac. It
makes a lot of sense. And I think with most
teams what you're saying would be the case that the
Chiefs would take a step back this year. Maybe there'll
be a ten and seven team. You know, you didn't
get Patrick Mahomes much help. What are you doing with
the offensive line? But this is the Chiefs and it's
Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. And I know that's not
the most scientific analysis, but I would never count these
(16:23):
guys out. And they're bringing Kelsey back for another year.
There's still plenty of time before they kick the ball
off in September. There are still moves to be made,
whether it's finding another receiver or you know, bolstering the
offensive line. The draft is coming up. I think the
Chiefs they're not just sitting on their hands this offseason.
They're trying to make their their roster better and trying
to specifically address their offensive line.
Speaker 5 (16:45):
So you know, maybe, you know, maybe you're right in
that they're not going to win fifteen games and go
fifteen to two. But that's it.
Speaker 6 (16:52):
I'm never counting out Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid and
Travis Kelson. These guys are too good and too savvy
and have won too many games for them not.
Speaker 7 (17:00):
To have things figured out by the phone.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
All right, So last one. So we did a thing
on Bill Belichick earlier on Alex was like, listen, he
sounds like a new person. I don't know how close
you've paid attention to what's happening in North Carolina. I
know Bill's social life has picked up certainly considerably. I'm
just curious, you've spent so many years around this guy.
Based on what you've seen and read and heard, do
you feel like it's a totally new Bill Belichick.
Speaker 6 (17:25):
No, I think it's a Bill Belichick who's trying to
sell himself a little bit. You know, he's on social
media now and he's very prominent with his young girlfriend
out there.
Speaker 5 (17:36):
I just think now that.
Speaker 6 (17:37):
He's been fired from the Patriots, he's trying to rehab
his image a little bit and coming across as you know,
your soft grandpa and your fun grandpa.
Speaker 7 (17:45):
And that kind of thing. But he's still the same
old Bill Belichick.
Speaker 6 (17:48):
And I guarantee you those players aren't going to love
his practice is this August down at UNC, where there
are fewer practice restrictions at college than there are in
the NFL. So I don't think he's gonna be too
changed in that respect. But yeah, you know, when you
when you're fired, you know, your egos verse a little bit.
I think he's just out there trying to show the
(18:09):
world that he's not just some old curmudgeon, that he
still has some magic left.
Speaker 7 (18:12):
Up his sleeve.
Speaker 5 (18:13):
And you know, we'll see, we'll see how he goes
down at UNC. That it's deadly. He's gonna do good
things for that program, but man, it's UNC. He still
has a lot of.
Speaker 7 (18:22):
Work to do at a place like that.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
Great great stuff. Ben volin Boston Globe, NFL reporter of
great Stuff has always been in good luck with the
draft the off season. It's gonna be a fun summer.
Speaker 5 (18:34):
Yeah, absolutely, thanks a lot, j Matt, Ben.
Speaker 4 (18:37):
That was great stuff.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
Do you like the commentary on B I do.
Speaker 4 (18:40):
But again, like he he saw a side of Bill
that we didn't get to see on a daily basis,
and like I said, it's it is. It's like it's
a new public version for getting a bill, which he
started to do in the media last year once he
was kind of doing some analysts work and he was
on different shows. But I be tough. These guys need tough.
(19:01):
But like he's also still like such a great mind
to mold these young men into great people and athletes.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
He Ben said, he's like your old grandpa softening and
just the idea of Bill Belichick being a grandpa. It's
just hard to I think of him as an NFL
coach as like.
Speaker 4 (19:19):
The whole he's but he has late seventies.
Speaker 3 (19:22):
He's starting to humanize himself a little bit. I think
he's early seventies, right.
Speaker 4 (19:25):
Early seventies, I don't know, seventies somewhere.
Speaker 3 (19:28):
But it's just a fascinating it's probably my favorite college.
Speaker 4 (19:32):
Proud of him. I'm proud of him. This is a
big step, especially for like someone that wasn't in the
Social Status Study seventy two. Okay, so yeah, he's a
young seventy.
Speaker 3 (19:42):
Yeah, that's like my mom's each seventy.
Speaker 4 (19:45):
Two is Pete Carroll around us years older than that.
It's Belichick ur in seventy three this week, okay, and he's.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
Gonna be Okay. This is a decent question I've had
with So it's your seventy three. Are you in your
early seventies or mid seventies?
Speaker 4 (19:59):
Early? So what I would say, seventy four to seventy
six is mid seventy four to seventy six, seventy seven,
late seventy yeah, late seventies.
Speaker 3 (20:09):
So it's three three and three is early init.
Speaker 4 (20:11):
Okay, Yeah, right, come on, the math is mathing.
Speaker 3 (20:16):
You're probably right, but you know, as you get older,
trusted when you hit thirty.
Speaker 4 (20:19):
I don't even know if you're thirty seve I get it. Yeah,
I might, I might stury.
Speaker 3 (20:22):
Mid thirties and seven. You know what I mean?
Speaker 4 (20:24):
You can say that if you I'm proud of my age.
I have lived every single one of my years like
to the fullest. So I'm proud and I feel grateful
to get older. Not everyone gets to do that.
Speaker 3 (20:33):
I don't coming up next to Alex is gonna tell
us why one NBA team controls its own destiny.
Speaker 2 (20:40):
That's next one more Heard. The Herd streams twenty four
hours a day, seven days a week within the iHeartRadio app.
Search Herd to listen live or on demand whenever you like.
Speaker 3 (20:51):
It was great stuff from Ben Volan, Patriots, Boston Globe, NFL.
He does it all really really fun segment. If you
missed it, I'm sure it'll be on the podcast. Let's
go to Alex Curry with the news. Turn on the news.
Speaker 2 (21:06):
This is the Herd Line News.
Speaker 4 (21:09):
A lot of draft talk this week.
Speaker 5 (21:10):
Jmack.
Speaker 4 (21:11):
Now that we're we're getting close. We're under two weeks. Yeah,
we're under two weeks. So draft analyst Tom mcjay had
suggested for the teams at the top of the draft. Jmack,
he said, I don't think you're gonna I don't think
you're gonna like this, Jmax. But Mickshay said, with Abdul Carter,
here's what it comes down to for me. You don't
pass on a blue chipper, a Tier one guy, even
(21:32):
if the other option is a quarterback. You don't pass
on a blue chip player. And this year there may
only be two. Now the two he's talking about are
Travis Hunter and Abdull Carter. Now he did add that
cam Ward is not a Blue Chipper, but has a
high enough grade as a quarterback to still be taken
ahead of the two Blue Chippers. He considers a Travis
(21:53):
Hunter and Abdul Carter. But again, like we can all
assume what teams are gonna do, we can all make
our mock drafts, but it's all gonna come down to
what this specific team thinks that they need and they want,
And do you agree with McShay and what it's going
with here?
Speaker 3 (22:12):
Define best? How would you define best?
Speaker 4 (22:15):
How would you define best?
Speaker 2 (22:19):
Best?
Speaker 4 (22:19):
Would be best fit for your team? I think best
fit for your needs, best fit for what you need,
best fit to immediately plug and play in the NFL.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
Yeah, I mean, listen, I get it. He's safe, right,
he's good.
Speaker 4 (22:32):
He's I would say six like safe for success. If
you don't know, there's always going to be a learning cur.
Speaker 3 (22:39):
Right, and listen, I'll point to Chase Young, the Ohio
State legend, goes to the NFL and is like, I
think he's on like his third or four team already,
Like he was considered safe. These edge rushers, I get
Miles Garrett delivered. I get it, but you know Crosby
other Raiders.
Speaker 4 (22:53):
He fell in the draft.
Speaker 3 (22:54):
He was like a mid round pick. TJ. Watt was
not like a top five pick or anything. It's guys
go first and it goes to their head. I was
the number one pick.
Speaker 4 (23:03):
I got the most.
Speaker 3 (23:03):
Money, I got the most endorsements, and they don't always deliver.
I did read some stuff that makes you want to
question Carter and it's not just a foot injury and surgery.
But again, everybody has holes.
Speaker 4 (23:16):
Yeah, but Travis Hunter, though, I do think, is a
blue chip player. A way he do Heisman. He talks
about football is his life. He plays football and he fishes.
He is so focused, he is so determined, like this
is his life. That's big. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (23:31):
He also wants some outside interest, you know, like I
don't just watch sports.
Speaker 4 (23:35):
Fishing that's what he said.
Speaker 3 (23:36):
Is that an interest.
Speaker 4 (23:37):
I think people are really into fishing.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
Jmac.
Speaker 4 (23:39):
I mean, obviously I've only been once, but you know
what fishing once in your life?
Speaker 3 (23:44):
I Fiji.
Speaker 4 (23:44):
If I told you remember and I caught a barracuda,
that's it. I've been in Hawaii, but like I just
hang out on the boat I'm not the one actually
like toss them the real out.
Speaker 3 (23:53):
So fishing is great for patients, and I don't have
a lot of Patience's traffic not your thing, but fishing
is great because you know, it's like a meditative kind
of thing.
Speaker 4 (24:05):
Pick in the park, you just got to hang out.
Speaker 3 (24:07):
Yeah, I don't know how we got to talk about
fishing with abdor hobbies.
Speaker 4 (24:11):
He said, it's good to have hobby. Travis Hunters yea, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (24:13):
I like guys who are well rounded outside of sports.
That is the Florence is that he doesn't love, eat, sleep,
breathe football the way quarterbacks should.
Speaker 4 (24:24):
I don't know, yeah, unless you're there with the player,
it's hard to like judge that from like a second
hand account.
Speaker 3 (24:32):
Yeah, I don't know. I get it. Carter's gonna go
to Cleveland.
Speaker 4 (24:36):
Here, they're all going to be top they're all top picks.
Speaker 3 (24:39):
Or he's going to go to the Giants and pair
with Kaevon Thibodau and they're gonna be great.
Speaker 4 (24:42):
Yeah, Okay, let's switch to the NBA. Golden State was
rooting hard for the Timberwolves to beat the Grizzlies last night,
and the Warriors got their wish. Golden State now controls
its own destiny. If they beat Portland on Friday and
the Clippers on Sunday, they are guaranteed to avoid the
play in tournament. So we were talking about this earlier.
If the Warriors can hold on to that sixth seed
(25:04):
and the Lakers can hold on to that third seed,
it's looking like that will be a possible matchup. But
I mean anytime, the Warriors are going to be scary
no matter who they face, because anytime you have I
think one of the greats in the game, and one
of the greats that was a dynasty at one point
and has the playoff experience, they know what it takes
(25:27):
to win, They're gonna be a tough series regardless no
matter who you're facing.
Speaker 3 (25:32):
Yeah, it's Western Conference is crazy, So let's say it's
such it's so tight. So Clippers Warriors play in Game
eighty two. Yeah, could be for playoff seeding.
Speaker 4 (25:40):
It will be. It most likely will be like they
think one team says like one game ahead. Clippers are
one game ahead of the Warriors.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
I don't want to play Yo Kitchen the Nuggets. I
want to face the Lakers. Do you think someone would
say I'd rather face the Lakers or Nuggets and then
sit there, guys to get there.
Speaker 4 (25:55):
No, no, you don't want to be in the play
in I think.
Speaker 3 (25:58):
The guys are just I thought it was for six.
So Warriors are they want to avoid?
Speaker 4 (26:03):
They want to avoid the plan. They have to win
the next two. They have to beat Portland on Friday
and the Clippers on Sunday to guarantee to avoid the
play in tournament.
Speaker 3 (26:12):
Would be because they're still tied.
Speaker 4 (26:14):
Warriors are tied with Grizzlies and the Tea Wolves, same record,
like it's it's insane. Nuggets and Clippers are tied Warriors, Grizzlies, Timberolves.
It's so close like these last two games, like it
is the like the playoff will be decided in.
Speaker 3 (26:29):
These last two. So this weekend has NBA playoffs basically
playoff indications. Yeah, the Masters, yes, uh, Coachella, are you going, by.
Speaker 4 (26:38):
The way, No, now we're saying here, Yeah, yeah, I
did for like ten years. It was a beautiful tie.
But now that my husband's playing festivals, we just go
when he's playing. That makes sense.
Speaker 3 (26:49):
But this weekend, a lot of eyes on the NBA
post show.
Speaker 4 (26:51):
Yeah, no, it's gonna be fun. It's gonna be fun.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (26:54):
Back to the NFL bus GM Jason Light told reporters
that he expects less movement in the upcoming draft, saying
draft boards are pretty leveled out at this point, adding
that he feels teams will be able to get the
same level of player in the second round that they
could get in the fourth round. So, I mean, the
way I'm kind of taking this is, we know it's
(27:16):
not a strong quarterback draft. Right In the last few years,
we've seen quarterbacks get drafted very high. Last year we
had six quarterbacks in the first round, like at five
in the top eleven, taken before any defensive players were
taken in the draft. This is a strong defensive line class.
So I think that means if I'm reading between the
(27:38):
lines here, like you're gonna be able to get a
decent quarterback in the second and third round, is what
he's saying here. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (27:47):
He also made the point like trading up, nobody's doing that. Yeah,
if you look at the last two big trade ups, Yeah,
Trey Lance and Bryce Young, like Alex didn't.
Speaker 4 (28:00):
Pan out very bad. We still't even know what Tree
Lance is, Like, what what kind of NFL player is
he I don't even know if we don't know.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
I think he's on a roster, but I don't I
mean he is. Is he going to make another NFL start?
That's not like Week eighteen is charity or whatever. I
doubt it.
Speaker 4 (28:14):
I don't know. And Bryce Young obviously is kind of
on the clock. Yeah, Lance Land is he with the Chargers?
He was Cowboys, now he's Chargers. He's Chargers. Think he's
with the Chargers.
Speaker 3 (28:26):
Yeah, but if the Chargers have to play him, they're
not winning the division like I predicted, that's obvious.
Speaker 4 (28:31):
Yeah, it's gonna be interesting. It's fun. Under two weeks.
Speaker 3 (28:33):
Away, yeah, English and the draft is very exciting. We
had a guy on talking about gambling on the draft.
I haven't made any bets yet.
Speaker 4 (28:39):
Are you going to?
Speaker 3 (28:40):
I'm good?
Speaker 4 (28:41):
Yeah, yeah, yeah for sure.
Speaker 3 (28:43):
Alex with the.
Speaker 2 (28:44):
News, Well that's the news, and thanks for stopping by
the Herd Line News.
Speaker 3 (28:51):
Nicola Jokic. Is it possible that the guy having the
greatest statistical season in NBA history is actually underrated?
Speaker 4 (28:59):
We'll dig into that one.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays
and neon Eastern non am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio
FS one and the iHeartRadio App.
Speaker 8 (29:09):
Hey Steve Covino and I'm Rich David and together We're
Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 9 (29:14):
You could catch us weekdays from five to seven pm
Eastern two to four Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and
of course the iHeartRadio App.
Speaker 8 (29:21):
Why should you listen to Covino and Rich.
Speaker 9 (29:23):
We talk about everything life, sports, relationships, what's going on
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Speaker 8 (29:27):
We have a lot of fun talking about the stories
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Speaker 9 (29:36):
And the fact that we've been friends for the last
twenty years and still work together. I mean that says something, right,
So check us out.
Speaker 8 (29:41):
We like to get you involved too, take your phone calls,
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Speaker 9 (29:45):
As they say, I'd say, the most interactive show on
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Speaker 8 (29:50):
Be sure to check out Covino and Rich live on
Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app from five to
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miss any of the live show, just search covid you
know Rich Wherever you get your podcasts and of course
on social media. That's Carino and Rich.
Speaker 4 (30:06):
The Road to the Indy five hundred hits the Streets
of Long Beach for the fiftieth running of the Long
Beach Grand Prie, the fastest racing on Earth, continues Sunday
a four thirty Eastern on Fox. And to celebrate Sunday's race,
Fox Sports has partnered with LA's iconic Brandy's Donuts to
celebrate the Grand Prix chocolate donut and We've cut some
on set with us. You can get them at Randy's
(30:27):
Donuts locations in LA and Orange County up until Sunday's race.
J Mac, your donut guy.
Speaker 3 (30:34):
I'm a donut guy.
Speaker 4 (30:35):
You've been having donuts every morning. Well, I need you
to take a bite first and then I'll go second.
Well I'm gluten free.
Speaker 3 (30:40):
Oh, come on, gluten.
Speaker 4 (30:42):
I'll eat the frost as suspicious.
Speaker 3 (30:44):
It's not. I mean, they walk seventeen year late because
I got to talk for ten minutes.
Speaker 4 (30:48):
You have to do it.
Speaker 3 (30:49):
But I'll take a little donut biite.
Speaker 4 (30:50):
Okay, you're a donut guy.
Speaker 3 (30:52):
How's a week week biite?
Speaker 5 (30:54):
How's a week bike?
Speaker 3 (30:54):
Really good? Yeah? Duh, cancel my lunch order.
Speaker 4 (30:57):
Yeah, I'm just there's a whole box here for you
fifteen pounds.
Speaker 3 (31:01):
All right, Yes, guys, I'm aware you're killing me for
the chief stuff. We'll talk. Give me like five minutes.
Let me just cook on this, all right. Nicola Yokitch
is a story out that he is having the greatest
statistical season in NBA history. It's bolstered by an avalanche
of numbers. Yet the media, the ink stained wretches who
(31:21):
vote for the NBA MVP, are gonna give it to SGA.
That's fine, I don't care. Do whatever you want. We
know Yokich is the best player in the league. Again,
I like to think I have all the best takes.
But when you sit at a table with like eight
guys and girls, they're gonna cook with some good stuff, folks.
Just hear me out here, Yo, Kicic is playing at
(31:44):
a level we've never seen before. This is better than
anything Shack did, sorry Shack, Okay? Is it better than
Wilt Chamberlain in the seventies against off duty firefighters and plumbers?
Speaker 5 (31:53):
All right?
Speaker 3 (31:54):
Yo, Kicch is tearing up the Golden era in the NBA.
Tearing it up averaging a thirty point trip double, twenty
nine point eight whatever, round up. And he's doing it
without another All Star on his team. Let that sink in.
The Denver Nuggets have three MAX players and one All Star.
(32:17):
What And that's when enter our amazing staff here, somebody,
I forgive me, I don't remember who.
Speaker 4 (32:25):
You know.
Speaker 3 (32:25):
He's having a season like Lebron had early in his
run with the Cavs, and I was like, oh damn,
that's a fire take now initially on my way a minute,
what hold up? Lebron didn't have anybody? He had Ilgauskas,
Moe Williams, Time out J Mack. Those guys were NBA
All Stars. What now? That just shows you how, I'm sorry,
(32:48):
how weak the league was in like two thousand and
five to two thousand and nine when Il Gauskis and
Moe Williams were All Stars. I'm not gonna lie I
Mo Williams would not be a top twenty scorer in
the men's leg I plan no disrespect. I know he
was good fifteen sixteen years ago he was. How's he
an All Star? Jamal Murray no All Star, Aaron Gordon,
(33:10):
no Allstar? Michael Porter junior and his big fat contract,
no All Star, and Jokic is carrying them. Before this
late season swoon year, they were looking at being two
or three in the West and Yokich is basically carrying
the franchise without an All Star. They just fired the coach.
And there's a huge article that just came out a
(33:30):
few hours ago about what the hell happened in Denver,
And apparently the Nuggets wanted to fire Michael Malone mid
season at the All Star break. They wanted to run
him out, that's how toxic it was. But they somehow
peeled off eight wins in a row and it was
basically jo Kich just destroying some really bad teams. So
of course they played their first game without Malone. Jokich
(33:51):
is drawing up plays on the side line him. So
you guys saw that. And then afterward here's their new
head coach, David Adelman, talking about the dub.
Speaker 7 (33:59):
We know what's ahead here.
Speaker 10 (34:00):
Hey, we got a playoff team Friday, a playoff team Sunday, So.
Speaker 5 (34:04):
We have a big journey ahead of us.
Speaker 7 (34:06):
The great thing about tonight you all stayed with it.
Speaker 10 (34:08):
Everybody say, oh my gosh, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (34:24):
It's a happy locker room again. So are the Nuggets
going to turn it around or does this go south?
They lose in the first round, and Yokic maybe asked south.
Now it seems unlikely that he would ask out Jay.
No European, no international superstar has ever asked out Okay.
Why can't he be the first? What are these unhappy? Now?
(34:45):
This is interesting. I'm sure you guys saw this. So
Michael Malone, like after the Pacers loss, I think it
was Sunday, was like, we hope to get back Jamal
Murray for the playoffs.
Speaker 7 (34:52):
We don't know.
Speaker 3 (34:53):
Jamal Murray just announced he may play tonight. So was
it like, whoa wait a minute, Jamal Murray?
Speaker 5 (34:59):
Did he hate.
Speaker 3 (35:00):
Malone that much? And why didn't Yo kid step up
and be like, yo, hey, this is my guy, don't
fire him like you would think if they liked Malone,
Yokich would have stepped up. Jamal Murray's now back. They're
playing the bench, guys. It seems everything is copacetic in Denver.
The only problem is Yokic has no help. And now
(35:21):
I love Jamal Murray. He's super clutch. He's killed the
Lakers in the playoffs, in the bubble, he was mister
fifty piece. I think he averaged like forty eight points
in a series.
Speaker 4 (35:28):
Some of them ridiculous.
Speaker 3 (35:30):
They're a good team, but I just wonder if they're teetering,
because remember when Lebron kept asking the front office for help,
and they were like, oh, yeah, we'll get you a
thirty four year old shack. And here's Antoine Jamison who
was good for like eight minutes in Washington. That'll help you, right,
And Lebron looked around AND's like, do you see Dwight
Howard getting legit help in Orlando? Do you see the
Celtics leveling up with freaking Hall of famers and you
(35:53):
doing nothing for me? And Lebron's just pieced out. Could
Jokic do that? I know you're saying, no way. He
would rather ride horses in Serbia then form a team
or force his way somewhere. We'll see. It's still early
in his career. He's only thirty, and Yokis is probably
going to age gracefully given his skill set is insane.
He's like an ar Vita Sabonis passing. We know he
(36:15):
can hit threes. He's hitting forty one percent on threes
this year. That's insane, So I think it's worth keeping
an eye on the Jokic situation where he is possibly
somehow underrated. All right, we'll wrap up this hour because
I'm gonna go back to my Chiefs take. I had
one of the producers in my ear, Jmack, You're getting
crushed online for this Kansas City Chiefs are going to
miss the playoffs, as Alex laughs maniacally. So he had
(36:39):
Ben bolan On covers the league for the Boston Globe,
and I asked him about the Chiefs, and I made
my strong case, like, remember I wanted to be a
lawyer when I was a kid. And my teacher and
I'll never forget this, one of my few teachers that
I remember from elementary school was like to my parents
at back to school, and Jason would make a great
lawyer because he loves to argue. And at the time,
(37:02):
I was like, oh, i'll be a lawyer. Cool, And
then I found out you got to go like a
bunch of years at school after college. I was like,
I'm good, no thanks, but I feel like I can
argue anything. And I made the case the Chiefs are
going to miss the playoffs. And I asked Ben about it,
and he said.
Speaker 6 (37:17):
I would never count these guys out. And they're bringing
Kelsey back for another year. There's still plenty of time
before they kick the ball off in September. There are
still moves to be made, whether it's fighting another receiver
or you know, bolstering the offensive line. The draft is
coming up. I think the Chiefs they're not just sitting
on their hands this offseason. They're trying to make their
their roster better and trying to specifically address their offensive line.
Speaker 5 (37:41):
So you know, maybe you know, maybe you're writing that
they're not going to win fifteen games and go fifteen
to two.
Speaker 6 (37:47):
But that said, I'm never counting out Patrick Mahomes and
Andy Reid and Travis Kelson. These guys are too good
and too savvy and have won too many games for
them not to have things figured out by the fall.
Speaker 3 (37:58):
And Ben obviously is not there. I'm not counting out
Reading Mahomes. I mean two two are the best to
ever do it. That being said, I don't have the
Chiefs in the playoffs right now now, so God, I
don't know. Sometimes something an idea will kick in your
head and you're like, ooh, that's good, and then you're like, oh,
I probably shouldn't say that on air. So we talked
(38:20):
about like Shadoor Sanders and he's kind of batching interviews. Well,
think about this with the Chiefs. Sometimes you don't reveal everything, right.
Sometimes you hold some stuff back, almost save it for
next time you meet a girl at a bar kick
game and get a number. But you're you're withholding some
of your your good stuff for maybe a first dat it,
second day.
Speaker 7 (38:38):
Whatever.
Speaker 3 (38:40):
I talked about the Chiefs earlier, right, I wanted my
little tangent. I saved some stuff, little Amo, save it
just in case. I'm back to a corner. Do you
guys know the history of the Super Bowl loser? It's
called the Super Bowl hangover. You're familiar with it, obviously,
forty nine Ers fans sure as hell are. Last year
times they went to the super Bowl. The following year
(39:02):
it fell apart like a house of cards. Okay, four
of the last nine Super Bowl losers didn't even make
the playoffs the next year. I know it's a tiny
sample size. That being said, I will go back to
the other point I made. This team has had a
lot of playoff battles. In January and February. The last
(39:24):
three years, ten playoff games that wear and tear adds
up on your body. I mean, Isaiah Pacheco started to
show the first cracks.
Speaker 4 (39:32):
He was hurt.
Speaker 3 (39:33):
Offense really sad. They went out and got who another
oft injured running back in Elijah Mitchell. Guys, go look
at the Chiefs dep chart. It doesn't scare a soul.
You cover up Patrick Mahomes, right, you cover up the quarterback.
And I'm just telling you, as I call it up here,
none of these guys are like, oh geez, how do
how the hell do we game plan for Xavier Worthy?
Speaker 6 (39:53):
Uh?
Speaker 2 (39:54):
She Rice?
Speaker 3 (39:54):
We assume her she Rice is gonna be back. We
don't know Hollywood Brown. Remember they got him last year
and it was like, Hollywood Brown, Oh what a value
you get there?
Speaker 5 (40:02):
Is?
Speaker 3 (40:04):
He could be awesome as the number three. Come on, Hollywood,
what the hell did he do last year? Sky Moore
guy can't catch a cold. Kelsey's getting old. I'm just
saying there is a lot of weakness on this Chiefs team.
Mcduffy their great slot corner. They moved him outside last year,
not as great, not as great, struggled, So they went
out and got Christian Fulton, who just can't stay healthy
(40:25):
at all. So you can move McDuffie back to slot.
Like they're tinkering around the edges. It's difficult. It's tough
to stay on top forever. I'm gonna stand by it.
Speaker 4 (40:36):
It's not happening for the Chiefs this year.
Speaker 6 (40:37):
Now.
Speaker 3 (40:37):
I can see Alex smirking, see a couple other people
in the studio, You're.
Speaker 4 (40:40):
Like, oh, dear j Mak, what are we doing?
Speaker 3 (40:43):
Alex, listen, go go big or go home. You got
me bold, You're bold.
Speaker 4 (40:46):
You you got the teal No, not Tealoise. Yeah, but
Jim Mac when you're talking about the Super Bowl hangover,
I think that applies to every other team except the Chiefs,
who have won three Super Bowls since twenty nineteen. So
that's not I don't think that plays has the same
(41:07):
effect on a team that is like a dynasty and
they just laid an egg in the Super Bowl last year,
like they are still Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid and
Travis kel Safey's healthy Chiefs and they've always just been.
As long as those three are locked in, they'll figure
out the rest. Obviously, their defense was also top notch,
as well not no one showed up in the Super Bowl.
(41:30):
But I'm not gonna base their whole next season on
that one super Bowl no of course performance, It's still
Patrick Mahomes the.
Speaker 3 (41:37):
Chiefs one score games, no way, offensive line is a
train wreck. I just I'm not buying them. Like nothing
lasts forever in this league.
Speaker 4 (41:46):
You know that, Alex.
Speaker 3 (41:47):
The Patriots, they couldn't keep it together two decades. It
was so tough every single year to make the playoffs.
They have Brady at Belichick, There's just not a lot
they can do around the margins. Coming up next, did
the Browns just said us another signal that they're not
going to draft Shadoor Sanders at two
Thanks for listening to The Herd podcast. Be sure to
catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in
noon to three Eastern nine am to noon Pacific. Find
your local station for The Herd at Fox Sports Radio
dot com, or stream us live every day on the
iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
You're listening to Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Our number two here on the Herd. It's a fun Friday, folks.
Oh you like that alliteration? Alex got Alex Curry joining me,
got on my case earlier for being a little negative.
So we're gonna start this hour positive.
Speaker 4 (00:39):
What No, you're not. You're like, you're coming out like
blazing today, which you kind of got an applease yesterday
fired up? Yeah, good for you.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
I like it.
Speaker 4 (00:50):
Ending the week on the strong note.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Well, I told you it spicy.
Speaker 4 (00:53):
We'd like a little spicy Friday.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Only time someone came after me in public was watch
someone in public. It was this meatball at downtown over
a Cam Newton take from like two years ago. Oh
I was here, Yeah, yeah, I remember. I heard that
guy was upset at that. I was like, bro, that
was like two years ago. That was a dake.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
Since then, Okay, keep him coming.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
I listen, what I'm about to say is real and authentic.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
Let's go maybe not.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
Shador Sanders level, keeping it real. But there's this guy
in the NBA named Joah Moran and he is a
phenomenal basketball player.
Speaker 5 (01:26):
Period.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Like three years ago, John Morant was on track to
be the face of the NBA.
Speaker 4 (01:31):
I looked this up.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
In his third year, Memphis got to the conference semifinals,
and this guy was dynamite, just an outstanding player. And
it has gone rapidly downhill for Jamaran. So last night
he's playing against the Minnesota Timberwolves and John Moran, who
earlier this week was doing a gun celebration pointing out
(01:53):
at the Warrior's bench. I believe it was at Buddy Healed.
And now Jah Moran has decided since he got told
stop doing the gun celebration, guy who was in trouble
for having a gun on Instagram Live, he decided, Okay,
let me pivot off the guns and I'll go to
a grenade celebration. So last night, John Moran bangs the
three against Minnesota in another loss. By the way, Minnesota
(02:15):
smoked him, and here you see on the screen John
Moran three, He's all excited, pulls the pin, chucks the
grenade and cover his ears. My guy, what are we doing?
Somebody on our staff? I should call him out by name,
but I'm not going to. I thought it was a
great take. Is he trying to get his way out
of Memphis? Like it's possible, unlikely, but possible. Why do
(02:38):
you keep doing dumb things? This is not a cool celebration.
You know, are guys jealous that Steph Curry has the
sleep thing when he hit the three late in the game.
I mean he did at the Olympics and it's an
iconic image. He does it in the NBA. It's pretty awesome.
So John's like, I need my signature thing. How about winning?
How about playing for your coach? You know, the Memphis
(03:00):
has been a little rocky this season, which adds to
the potential. Is joh trying to get out of Memphis?
So Memphis, their head coach, kind of had let John
Morant do his thing and whatever, and then he keeps
getting hurt. So they're like, we need some protections. Let's
bring in some assistant coaches who are going to take
the ball out of Jaw's hands and make everyone else
better make it more well rounded. And so that worked
(03:24):
for a little while and Jaw's numbers came down, but
then it stopped working and Jos said, bleep this, I'm
gonna get mine. And then they end up firing the coach,
and so it's this weird tug of war inside Memphis internally,
do we want to ride Jaw or do we want
to get everybody better? This reminds me and I'm not
comparing Ja Morant to Michael Jordan. It's just an obvious
(03:45):
coaching strategy. Michael Jordan had the run of the show
in Chicago Doug Collins, who he loved as head coach. Doug,
you want me to do me? I got you. I'm
gonna get thirty five. Oh, we're gonna lose in the
second round the playoffs. So they bring in Phil Jackson
and Text Winter and they put in a triangle offense.
We're structure for Michael. Michael, We're gonna take a few
(04:07):
shots away from you. We're gonna spread the wealth, but
we're gonna be unstoppable. Now, the timing was great for
Jordan and the Bulls and Phil Jackson. The rest of
the East was weakening the Celtics were breaking down the
Pistons definitely broke down the Ewings Nicks, my favorite team
of my youth. They could never take down the Bulls
in a playoff series that mattered and the rest is history.
(04:31):
You know, Michael Jordan rides a triangle offense to massive success,
six titles. Blah blah blah. Is there a world where
John Morant can fall in line for the betterment of
the team and franchise? And given his track record in
the last I don't know four years, I'm gonna go
in and say that's not happening. Okay. I like Ja
Moran as a player. I know he's immensely popular among
(04:52):
the young kids, but he is losing that grip the
same way Zion who was supposed to be facing the league.
It was like him and Joamran, can they be the
face of the league? Can they share it? Because they're
dynamic and explosive and just high level athletes, and neither
of them has been able to a stay healthy and
be get their act together off the court. John Moran
(05:13):
just advice. You don't need to take ditch the grenade
celebration man, Just play basketball, be a leader and win
some games. That's probably your best bet to get back
on top. All right, let's welcome into the show a
great guest. He covers the NFL for the Boston Globe,
Ben Volin. Ben, it is great to have you.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Man.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
It's a good time to be a Patriots fan, right.
Colin Cowhard loves them, I said earlier in the show, Ben,
I think they're a playoff team this year. That may
be a bridge too far, but you've got a good
coach in mister Frabel.
Speaker 5 (05:46):
Huh, you know what.
Speaker 6 (05:48):
Things are looking a lot brighter in Foxborough these days.
They've got I think a very quality coach and Mike
Rabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. I think that was
a great hire. They've got a young quarterback and Drake May.
They've won the offseason spending all this money on free agents,
Milton Williams, Stefan Diggs, Harold Landry. Things are the arrow
is definitely pointing up in Foxborough, and it's not crazy
(06:11):
to predict them as a playoff team. I mean, I
don't think they're going to be a real contender, but
if the Commanders can do it in one year, if.
Speaker 5 (06:20):
The Minnesota Vikings can go from last.
Speaker 6 (06:21):
Place to the playoffs. Why can't the Patriots go nine
to eight or ten to seven and sneak into the
playoffs next year?
Speaker 7 (06:28):
I think the.
Speaker 6 (06:29):
Expectations are definitely a lot higher in Foxborough than they
were in the past.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
So I don't want to go back to last year
too much because I'm sure it was a ghastly time
for you covering the team. They were obviously very bad.
But did they need to just take out a lot
of guys who weren't meant for that locker room, weren't
a good fit, and Vrabel's now reshaping the roster in
his vision.
Speaker 6 (06:50):
Yeah, I don't think the issue was like a spoiled
locker room that.
Speaker 5 (06:54):
I don't think attitude was the reason. I think it
was talent.
Speaker 6 (06:57):
This is a team that for the last four to
five years under Bill Belichick really struggled to draft, and
it all came to a head the last year or
two where they just didn't have much veteran talent. You know,
back in twenty twenty one, they had to go out
and overpay for several free agents like Hunter Henry Matthew Judon.
That's a clear reflection of poor drafting and same thing
(07:17):
this offseason with all the money that the Patriots have spent.
I mean, last year, they had the worst offensive line,
the worst group of receivers. Drake may was playing with
nothing last year. So I wouldn't say that it's it
was like a bad attitude or they had to, you know,
get rid of some rotten apples in the locker room.
Speaker 5 (07:35):
They just need to add talent.
Speaker 6 (07:37):
And if you're GIROD Mayo, I think you're wondering, well,
where was this free agency spending last year? The Patriots
didn't really bring in many top guys from from the
outside last year, And I think if you're GIWD Mayo,
it's like, well, you know, gee, it's nice that Mike
Rabo can get all this talent, but where was this
talent for me last year?
Speaker 4 (07:53):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (07:54):
I think I saw stap Ben that the Patriots had
the most different starting offensive line combinations in the league.
That might have been from you or someone, but like
they could just couldn't figure it out. Have they done
enough in free agency to solidify the old line or
do you think they still stick with offensive line at
four in the draft?
Speaker 6 (08:11):
No, I mean offensive line is still definitely a big question,
and left tackle is the one glaring hole that they
didn't fill in free agency. They got a receiver and
Stefan Diggs. They got a lot of help on defense,
a cornerback, Carlton Davis, Milton Williams, defensive tackle, Roberts Mullane linebacker.
The one hole they didn't fill was left tackle. They
brought in Morgan Moses, the thirty four year old veteran
(08:33):
from the Jets. He'll be on the right side, but
the Patriots still definitely need to find an answer at
left tackle.
Speaker 5 (08:40):
You know, it's not a it's an interesting decision they
face at number four.
Speaker 6 (08:44):
There's not like a guaranteed, sure thing left tackle prospect
like Joe Ault last year who went to the Chargers.
You know, Will Campbell from LSU is an excellent football player,
a top prospect, maybe the best lineman in the draft.
But there is some concern about his size and his measures.
You know, the whole arm length thing. Does he have
the arm length to be a left tackle in the NFL?
(09:05):
And I think that's what the Patriots are facing right now.
See the guy they want to take it for or
is that a little high for a guy who you're not.
Speaker 7 (09:11):
Quite sure is going to be a left tackle and
might ultimately have to play guard in the NFL.
Speaker 5 (09:15):
But you know, protecting Drake may is the number one.
Speaker 6 (09:19):
Goal for the Patriots this year, and I don't know
if they've done enough. Bringing in Morgan Moses and center
Kartt Bradberry for Minnesota. Those are good moves, but you know,
adding a left tackle, You know, getting Will Campbell in
the draft will look good on paper, but then there
will be questions, of course, if he can actually play
the position in the NFL.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
So let's just assume that Cam Wore goes one, Travis
Hunter two, an Abdul Carter three, although I find it
hard to believe the Giants would take another defensive lineman,
but who knows. If the Patriots don't go offensive tackle?
Do you have a wild card? Is Ashton gent in play?
Is that too crazy? Is there? Tyler Warren? The tight
end seems a little rich force seems to be kind
(10:00):
of a tough spot here for the Patriots.
Speaker 5 (10:02):
It is a tough spot for the Patriots.
Speaker 6 (10:05):
Who are I think if you're sitting therefore, you're praying
that Travis Hunter or Abduall Carter falls to you and
makes it a very easy decision, and really it highlights
just how awful that Week eighteen win was for the
Patriots over the Bills last year when Joe Milton came
in and won the game, dropped them from number one
to four.
Speaker 5 (10:23):
If they were sitting at number one right now, they
could trade that.
Speaker 6 (10:25):
Pick to Tennessee or Cleveland, get a nice haul, and
still feel good about getting Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter.
Now they're kind of inmpurgatory with that fourth pick. If
they decide Will Campbell's not their guy. There's another offensive tackle,
armand Membu from Missouri.
Speaker 5 (10:39):
He looks the part, but he's only been.
Speaker 6 (10:41):
A right tackle and moving him to the left side
a little bit of a projection and then otherwise I
think the Patriots go pass rusher.
Speaker 5 (10:47):
He can never have enough of those guys.
Speaker 6 (10:49):
Rabel seems to want guys who can pin their ears
back and get after the quarterback. And the guy that's
gaining some buzz is Jaylon Walker from University of Georgia.
Just a freak of an athlete. Can play on the
line of scrimmage, to play off the ball. You can
do a lot of different things with him. He'd be
I think a tremendous piece in the Patriots defense. You know,
the one issue is this draft is stacked.
Speaker 7 (11:10):
With pass rushers.
Speaker 6 (11:11):
There's going to be almost maybe twenty guys in the
top three or so rounds to go. So do you
necessarily need to take a pass rusher at number four
when there are fewer left tackles, there are fewer tight
ends available. I would love for them to get Warren
from Penn State Ashton Genty from Boise State.
Speaker 5 (11:26):
I don't think they go there.
Speaker 6 (11:28):
I don't think that's a team that's ready to take
a running back with number four. But they do need
playmakers on offense. That's been the Patriots' biggest issue the
last two years, as they've finished thirty first and thirtieth
in scoring. They need playmakers. So Ashton Genty would be fun.
He'd be a controversial pick. I don't see them making it.
I think it's going to be either Will Campbell, armand
(11:48):
Membu one of the tackles, or jayl On Walker probably
the pass rusher one.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
More on the Patriots, Coward really likes this team this year.
He started to convince me, like, hey man, there's something there.
Obviously they're going to be better than the Jets and Justin
Fields at quarterback. Can they be better than the Miami Dolphins?
Speaker 4 (12:06):
Is the question?
Speaker 3 (12:07):
Is that a realistic expectation. Let's assume Tyree Kill's playing
for the Dolphins this season, of course.
Speaker 6 (12:13):
Yeah, I mean, honestly, I think it's very realistic that
the Patriots could finish second in the division this year.
Speaker 5 (12:18):
Not a fan of what the Dolphins have done.
Speaker 6 (12:20):
I think this is a team that needs a hard reset,
but they have stood by their coach, their quarterback, and
their GM.
Speaker 5 (12:26):
I don't know.
Speaker 6 (12:27):
The Dolphins to me feel like a team that is
about to fall apart in twenty twenty five. They've really
lacked discipline the last few years, haven't been able to
get over that hump, and then have really struggled in
high leverage situations, bad weather, important games, December playoff teams.
I'm not a big fan of where the Dolphins are headed,
and I think, like I said, the arrow is definitely
pointing up for the Patriots.
Speaker 5 (12:48):
I think Mike Rabel is going to be.
Speaker 6 (12:49):
An excellent coach for them, really instilling an attitude and
the culture that's been missing the last few years. They've
already increased their talent. You know, we'll see what Stefan
Diggs can give them. The Patriots put a lot of
protection in that contract in case he's not quite the
same player coming back from that ADL. But Drake May
in year two, he's gonna have a lot more talent
around him. The defense should be better, and I just
(13:10):
think the coaching with Rabel and Josh McDaniels is gonna
be a lot better than what Drake May and the.
Speaker 7 (13:14):
Patriots got last year.
Speaker 6 (13:15):
So I definitely think that they can finish second in
that division and compete for a wildcard.
Speaker 3 (13:20):
All right, One more on the Patriots. I forgot so Rabel. Historically,
gamblers love him because he does more with less seemingly
than any coach in like the last fifteen years. He's
a great, great schemer and a mastermind and a leader.
I'm just curious, what are your early impressions with him.
Will the Patriots look radically different as an offensive team
next year?
Speaker 6 (13:42):
Well, yes, but just because you know, last year's offense
was radically different for them under Alex van Pelt, more
of the West Coast scheme that he brought.
Speaker 7 (13:49):
From Green Bay.
Speaker 6 (13:50):
Now they're going back to the Josh McDaniels offense, which
everyone around here is very familiar with over the last
twenty years. So it's gonna be different. It's not gonna
be like Tom Brady running the show. But Josh McDaniels
has been very adaptable. He's worked with Cam Newton, mac Jones,
Matt Castle. So I expect Josh McDaniels and his staff
to put Drake May in a position to succeed. And
(14:11):
I think Drake May's to me, that's a great coach
for him, having McDaniels who kind of tutor him, and
I think Drake May is definitely on the up and up.
Speaker 5 (14:19):
You know with Rabel and.
Speaker 6 (14:20):
Tennessee, you know, the people down there will like to
point out that with the more power he got with
the team, the kind of the worst day they did,
and then once he lost Arthur Smith, his offensive pointner,
that's when Tannehill and the rest of the offense didn't
start doing as well. But Vrabel, to me, is a
terrific motivator and he's a great leader.
Speaker 5 (14:38):
He's he's exactly what.
Speaker 6 (14:39):
This program needs. A guy who's been there and done that.
He's one coach of the year, He's won playoff games.
He came into Foxborough and won a playoff game and
beat Tom Brady. He's got confidence, he was a player,
he won as a player, like he's everything. With all
due respect to John Mayo, Rabel Blint brings a lot
more to the table than Mayo did last year as
(15:00):
far as leadership. And I know things didn't end well
for Rabel and Tennessee, but I think there's something to
be said for having a guy who has made some
mixed mistakes and is willing to learn from them. And
I definitely see that Brabel every time I've heard him
speak so far, three or four times in the offseason,
you know, you just listen and you're like, man, this
is the perfect guy for this team and this situation.
(15:20):
And I really do like the way that he's got
the program headed right now.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
All right, Two real quick ones, big picture AFC. I
made a case earlier the Chiefs will regress this season.
I have not gone online to see how bad people
hate me for it, but Ben, I mean eleven to
zero in one score games. We know historically that flips
year to year. And they haven't done anything to help
their roster this offseason. They picked up a backup left
(15:43):
tackle from the Niners, hoping that he will salveage your
offensive line traded away. Tuney, listen, man, you can't stay
on top forever in the NFL. That's the reason we
have this salary cap. The league is structured for parody.
Do you see the Chiefs regressing they win in fifteen games?
We know that right well?
Speaker 6 (15:59):
I mean, I like everything you're saying here, Jmac. It
makes a lot of sense. And I think with most
teams what you're saying would be the case that the
Chiefs would take a step back this year. Maybe there'll
be a ten and seven team. You know, you didn't
get Patrick Mahomes much help. What are you doing with
the offensive line? But this is the Chiefs and it's
Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. And I know that's not
the most scientific analysis, but I would never count these
(16:23):
guys out. And they're bringing Kelsey back for another year.
There's still plenty of time before they kick the ball
off in September. There are still moves to be made,
whether it's finding another receiver or you know, bolstering the
offensive line. The draft is coming up. I think the
Chiefs they're not just sitting on their hands this offseason.
They're trying to make their their roster better and trying
to specifically address their offensive line.
Speaker 5 (16:45):
So you know, maybe, you know, maybe you're right in
that they're not going to win fifteen games and go
fifteen to two. But that's it.
Speaker 6 (16:52):
I'm never counting out Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid and
Travis Kelson. These guys are too good and too savvy
and have won too many games for them not.
Speaker 7 (17:00):
To have things figured out by the phone.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
All right, So last one. So we did a thing
on Bill Belichick earlier on Alex was like, listen, he
sounds like a new person. I don't know how close
you've paid attention to what's happening in North Carolina. I
know Bill's social life has picked up certainly considerably. I'm
just curious, you've spent so many years around this guy.
Based on what you've seen and read and heard, do
you feel like it's a totally new Bill Belichick.
Speaker 6 (17:25):
No, I think it's a Bill Belichick who's trying to
sell himself a little bit. You know, he's on social
media now and he's very prominent with his young girlfriend
out there.
Speaker 5 (17:36):
I just think now that.
Speaker 6 (17:37):
He's been fired from the Patriots, he's trying to rehab
his image a little bit and coming across as you know,
your soft grandpa and your fun grandpa.
Speaker 7 (17:45):
And that kind of thing. But he's still the same
old Bill Belichick.
Speaker 6 (17:48):
And I guarantee you those players aren't going to love
his practice is this August down at UNC, where there
are fewer practice restrictions at college than there are in
the NFL. So I don't think he's gonna be too
changed in that respect. But yeah, you know, when you
when you're fired, you know, your egos verse a little bit.
I think he's just out there trying to show the
(18:09):
world that he's not just some old curmudgeon, that he
still has some magic left.
Speaker 7 (18:12):
Up his sleeve.
Speaker 5 (18:13):
And you know, we'll see, we'll see how he goes
down at UNC. That it's deadly. He's gonna do good
things for that program, but man, it's UNC. He still
has a lot of.
Speaker 7 (18:22):
Work to do at a place like that.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
Great great stuff. Ben volin Boston Globe, NFL reporter of
great Stuff has always been in good luck with the
draft the off season. It's gonna be a fun summer.
Speaker 5 (18:34):
Yeah, absolutely, thanks a lot, j Matt, Ben.
Speaker 4 (18:37):
That was great stuff.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
Do you like the commentary on B I do.
Speaker 4 (18:40):
But again, like he he saw a side of Bill
that we didn't get to see on a daily basis,
and like I said, it's it is. It's like it's
a new public version for getting a bill, which he
started to do in the media last year once he
was kind of doing some analysts work and he was
on different shows. But I be tough. These guys need tough.
(19:01):
But like he's also still like such a great mind
to mold these young men into great people and athletes.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
He Ben said, he's like your old grandpa softening and
just the idea of Bill Belichick being a grandpa. It's
just hard to I think of him as an NFL
coach as like.
Speaker 4 (19:19):
The whole he's but he has late seventies.
Speaker 3 (19:22):
He's starting to humanize himself a little bit. I think
he's early seventies, right.
Speaker 4 (19:25):
Early seventies, I don't know, seventies somewhere.
Speaker 3 (19:28):
But it's just a fascinating it's probably my favorite college.
Speaker 4 (19:32):
Proud of him. I'm proud of him. This is a
big step, especially for like someone that wasn't in the
Social Status Study seventy two. Okay, so yeah, he's a
young seventy.
Speaker 3 (19:42):
Yeah, that's like my mom's each seventy.
Speaker 4 (19:45):
Two is Pete Carroll around us years older than that.
It's Belichick ur in seventy three this week, okay, and he's.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
Gonna be Okay. This is a decent question I've had
with So it's your seventy three. Are you in your
early seventies or mid seventies?
Speaker 4 (19:59):
Early? So what I would say, seventy four to seventy
six is mid seventy four to seventy six, seventy seven,
late seventy yeah, late seventies.
Speaker 3 (20:09):
So it's three three and three is early init.
Speaker 4 (20:11):
Okay, Yeah, right, come on, the math is mathing.
Speaker 3 (20:16):
You're probably right, but you know, as you get older,
trusted when you hit thirty.
Speaker 4 (20:19):
I don't even know if you're thirty seve I get it. Yeah,
I might, I might stury.
Speaker 3 (20:22):
Mid thirties and seven. You know what I mean?
Speaker 4 (20:24):
You can say that if you I'm proud of my age.
I have lived every single one of my years like
to the fullest. So I'm proud and I feel grateful
to get older. Not everyone gets to do that.
Speaker 3 (20:33):
I don't coming up next to Alex is gonna tell
us why one NBA team controls its own destiny.
Speaker 2 (20:40):
That's next one more Heard. The Herd streams twenty four
hours a day, seven days a week within the iHeartRadio app.
Search Herd to listen live or on demand whenever you like.
Speaker 3 (20:51):
It was great stuff from Ben Volan, Patriots, Boston Globe, NFL.
He does it all really really fun segment. If you
missed it, I'm sure it'll be on the podcast. Let's
go to Alex Curry with the news. Turn on the news.
Speaker 2 (21:06):
This is the Herd Line News.
Speaker 4 (21:09):
A lot of draft talk this week.
Speaker 5 (21:10):
Jmack.
Speaker 4 (21:11):
Now that we're we're getting close. We're under two weeks. Yeah,
we're under two weeks. So draft analyst Tom mcjay had
suggested for the teams at the top of the draft. Jmack,
he said, I don't think you're gonna I don't think
you're gonna like this, Jmax. But Mickshay said, with Abdul Carter,
here's what it comes down to for me. You don't
pass on a blue chipper, a Tier one guy, even
(21:32):
if the other option is a quarterback. You don't pass
on a blue chip player. And this year there may
only be two. Now the two he's talking about are
Travis Hunter and Abdull Carter. Now he did add that
cam Ward is not a Blue Chipper, but has a
high enough grade as a quarterback to still be taken
ahead of the two Blue Chippers. He considers a Travis
(21:53):
Hunter and Abdul Carter. But again, like we can all
assume what teams are gonna do, we can all make
our mock drafts, but it's all gonna come down to
what this specific team thinks that they need and they want,
And do you agree with McShay and what it's going
with here?
Speaker 3 (22:12):
Define best? How would you define best?
Speaker 4 (22:15):
How would you define best?
Speaker 2 (22:19):
Best?
Speaker 4 (22:19):
Would be best fit for your team? I think best
fit for your needs, best fit for what you need,
best fit to immediately plug and play in the NFL.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
Yeah, I mean, listen, I get it. He's safe, right,
he's good.
Speaker 4 (22:32):
He's I would say six like safe for success. If
you don't know, there's always going to be a learning cur.
Speaker 3 (22:39):
Right, and listen, I'll point to Chase Young, the Ohio
State legend, goes to the NFL and is like, I
think he's on like his third or four team already,
Like he was considered safe. These edge rushers, I get
Miles Garrett delivered. I get it, but you know Crosby
other Raiders.
Speaker 4 (22:53):
He fell in the draft.
Speaker 3 (22:54):
He was like a mid round pick. TJ. Watt was
not like a top five pick or anything. It's guys
go first and it goes to their head. I was
the number one pick.
Speaker 4 (23:03):
I got the most.
Speaker 3 (23:03):
Money, I got the most endorsements, and they don't always deliver.
I did read some stuff that makes you want to
question Carter and it's not just a foot injury and surgery.
But again, everybody has holes.
Speaker 4 (23:16):
Yeah, but Travis Hunter, though, I do think, is a
blue chip player. A way he do Heisman. He talks
about football is his life. He plays football and he fishes.
He is so focused, he is so determined, like this
is his life. That's big. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (23:31):
He also wants some outside interest, you know, like I
don't just watch sports.
Speaker 4 (23:35):
Fishing that's what he said.
Speaker 3 (23:36):
Is that an interest.
Speaker 4 (23:37):
I think people are really into fishing.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
Jmac.
Speaker 4 (23:39):
I mean, obviously I've only been once, but you know
what fishing once in your life?
Speaker 3 (23:44):
I Fiji.
Speaker 4 (23:44):
If I told you remember and I caught a barracuda,
that's it. I've been in Hawaii, but like I just
hang out on the boat I'm not the one actually
like toss them the real out.
Speaker 3 (23:53):
So fishing is great for patients, and I don't have
a lot of Patience's traffic not your thing, but fishing
is great because you know, it's like a meditative kind
of thing.
Speaker 4 (24:05):
Pick in the park, you just got to hang out.
Speaker 3 (24:07):
Yeah, I don't know how we got to talk about
fishing with abdor hobbies.
Speaker 4 (24:11):
He said, it's good to have hobby. Travis Hunters yea, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (24:13):
I like guys who are well rounded outside of sports.
That is the Florence is that he doesn't love, eat, sleep,
breathe football the way quarterbacks should.
Speaker 4 (24:24):
I don't know, yeah, unless you're there with the player,
it's hard to like judge that from like a second
hand account.
Speaker 3 (24:32):
Yeah, I don't know. I get it. Carter's gonna go
to Cleveland.
Speaker 4 (24:36):
Here, they're all going to be top they're all top picks.
Speaker 3 (24:39):
Or he's going to go to the Giants and pair
with Kaevon Thibodau and they're gonna be great.
Speaker 4 (24:42):
Yeah, Okay, let's switch to the NBA. Golden State was
rooting hard for the Timberwolves to beat the Grizzlies last night,
and the Warriors got their wish. Golden State now controls
its own destiny. If they beat Portland on Friday and
the Clippers on Sunday, they are guaranteed to avoid the
play in tournament. So we were talking about this earlier.
If the Warriors can hold on to that sixth seed
(25:04):
and the Lakers can hold on to that third seed,
it's looking like that will be a possible matchup. But
I mean anytime, the Warriors are going to be scary
no matter who they face, because anytime you have I
think one of the greats in the game, and one
of the greats that was a dynasty at one point
and has the playoff experience, they know what it takes
(25:27):
to win, They're gonna be a tough series regardless no
matter who you're facing.
Speaker 3 (25:32):
Yeah, it's Western Conference is crazy, So let's say it's
such it's so tight. So Clippers Warriors play in Game
eighty two. Yeah, could be for playoff seeding.
Speaker 4 (25:40):
It will be. It most likely will be like they
think one team says like one game ahead. Clippers are
one game ahead of the Warriors.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
I don't want to play Yo Kitchen the Nuggets. I
want to face the Lakers. Do you think someone would
say I'd rather face the Lakers or Nuggets and then
sit there, guys to get there.
Speaker 4 (25:55):
No, no, you don't want to be in the play
in I think.
Speaker 3 (25:58):
The guys are just I thought it was for six.
So Warriors are they want to avoid?
Speaker 4 (26:03):
They want to avoid the plan. They have to win
the next two. They have to beat Portland on Friday
and the Clippers on Sunday to guarantee to avoid the
play in tournament.
Speaker 3 (26:12):
Would be because they're still tied.
Speaker 4 (26:14):
Warriors are tied with Grizzlies and the Tea Wolves, same record,
like it's it's insane. Nuggets and Clippers are tied Warriors, Grizzlies, Timberolves.
It's so close like these last two games, like it
is the like the playoff will be decided in.
Speaker 3 (26:29):
These last two. So this weekend has NBA playoffs basically
playoff indications. Yeah, the Masters, yes, uh, Coachella, are you going, by.
Speaker 4 (26:38):
The way, No, now we're saying here, Yeah, yeah, I
did for like ten years. It was a beautiful tie.
But now that my husband's playing festivals, we just go
when he's playing. That makes sense.
Speaker 3 (26:49):
But this weekend, a lot of eyes on the NBA
post show.
Speaker 4 (26:51):
Yeah, no, it's gonna be fun. It's gonna be fun.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (26:54):
Back to the NFL bus GM Jason Light told reporters
that he expects less movement in the upcoming draft, saying
draft boards are pretty leveled out at this point, adding
that he feels teams will be able to get the
same level of player in the second round that they
could get in the fourth round. So, I mean, the
way I'm kind of taking this is, we know it's
(27:16):
not a strong quarterback draft. Right In the last few years,
we've seen quarterbacks get drafted very high. Last year we
had six quarterbacks in the first round, like at five
in the top eleven, taken before any defensive players were
taken in the draft. This is a strong defensive line class.
So I think that means if I'm reading between the
(27:38):
lines here, like you're gonna be able to get a
decent quarterback in the second and third round, is what
he's saying here. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (27:47):
He also made the point like trading up, nobody's doing that. Yeah,
if you look at the last two big trade ups, Yeah,
Trey Lance and Bryce Young, like Alex didn't.
Speaker 4 (28:00):
Pan out very bad. We still't even know what Tree
Lance is, Like, what what kind of NFL player is
he I don't even know if we don't know.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
I think he's on a roster, but I don't I
mean he is. Is he going to make another NFL start?
That's not like Week eighteen is charity or whatever. I
doubt it.
Speaker 4 (28:14):
I don't know. And Bryce Young obviously is kind of
on the clock. Yeah, Lance Land is he with the Chargers?
He was Cowboys, now he's Chargers. He's Chargers. Think he's
with the Chargers.
Speaker 3 (28:26):
Yeah, but if the Chargers have to play him, they're
not winning the division like I predicted, that's obvious.
Speaker 4 (28:31):
Yeah, it's gonna be interesting. It's fun. Under two weeks.
Speaker 3 (28:33):
Away, yeah, English and the draft is very exciting. We
had a guy on talking about gambling on the draft.
I haven't made any bets yet.
Speaker 4 (28:39):
Are you going to?
Speaker 3 (28:40):
I'm good?
Speaker 4 (28:41):
Yeah, yeah, yeah for sure.
Speaker 3 (28:43):
Alex with the.
Speaker 2 (28:44):
News, Well that's the news, and thanks for stopping by
the Herd Line News.
Speaker 3 (28:51):
Nicola Jokic. Is it possible that the guy having the
greatest statistical season in NBA history is actually underrated?
Speaker 4 (28:59):
We'll dig into that one.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays
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Speaker 8 (29:09):
Hey Steve Covino and I'm Rich David and together We're
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Speaker 9 (29:14):
You could catch us weekdays from five to seven pm
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We talk about everything life, sports, relationships, what's going on
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We have a lot of fun talking about the stories
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And the fact that we've been friends for the last
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So check us out.
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Speaker 4 (30:06):
The Road to the Indy five hundred hits the Streets
of Long Beach for the fiftieth running of the Long
Beach Grand Prie, the fastest racing on Earth, continues Sunday
a four thirty Eastern on Fox. And to celebrate Sunday's race,
Fox Sports has partnered with LA's iconic Brandy's Donuts to
celebrate the Grand Prix chocolate donut and We've cut some
on set with us. You can get them at Randy's
(30:27):
Donuts locations in LA and Orange County up until Sunday's race.
J Mac, your donut guy.
Speaker 3 (30:34):
I'm a donut guy.
Speaker 4 (30:35):
You've been having donuts every morning. Well, I need you
to take a bite first and then I'll go second.
Well I'm gluten free.
Speaker 3 (30:40):
Oh, come on, gluten.
Speaker 4 (30:42):
I'll eat the frost as suspicious.
Speaker 3 (30:44):
It's not. I mean, they walk seventeen year late because
I got to talk for ten minutes.
Speaker 4 (30:48):
You have to do it.
Speaker 3 (30:49):
But I'll take a little donut biite.
Speaker 4 (30:50):
Okay, you're a donut guy.
Speaker 3 (30:52):
How's a week week biite?
Speaker 5 (30:54):
How's a week bike?
Speaker 3 (30:54):
Really good? Yeah? Duh, cancel my lunch order.
Speaker 4 (30:57):
Yeah, I'm just there's a whole box here for you
fifteen pounds.
Speaker 3 (31:01):
All right, Yes, guys, I'm aware you're killing me for
the chief stuff. We'll talk. Give me like five minutes.
Let me just cook on this, all right. Nicola Yokitch
is a story out that he is having the greatest
statistical season in NBA history. It's bolstered by an avalanche
of numbers. Yet the media, the ink stained wretches who
(31:21):
vote for the NBA MVP, are gonna give it to SGA.
That's fine, I don't care. Do whatever you want. We
know Yokich is the best player in the league. Again,
I like to think I have all the best takes.
But when you sit at a table with like eight
guys and girls, they're gonna cook with some good stuff, folks.
Just hear me out here, Yo, Kicic is playing at
(31:44):
a level we've never seen before. This is better than
anything Shack did, sorry Shack, Okay? Is it better than
Wilt Chamberlain in the seventies against off duty firefighters and plumbers?
Speaker 5 (31:53):
All right?
Speaker 3 (31:54):
Yo, Kicch is tearing up the Golden era in the NBA.
Tearing it up averaging a thirty point trip double, twenty
nine point eight whatever, round up. And he's doing it
without another All Star on his team. Let that sink in.
The Denver Nuggets have three MAX players and one All Star.
(32:17):
What And that's when enter our amazing staff here, somebody,
I forgive me, I don't remember who.
Speaker 4 (32:25):
You know.
Speaker 3 (32:25):
He's having a season like Lebron had early in his
run with the Cavs, and I was like, oh damn,
that's a fire take now initially on my way a minute,
what hold up? Lebron didn't have anybody? He had Ilgauskas,
Moe Williams, Time out J Mack. Those guys were NBA
All Stars. What now? That just shows you how, I'm sorry,
(32:48):
how weak the league was in like two thousand and
five to two thousand and nine when Il Gauskis and
Moe Williams were All Stars. I'm not gonna lie I
Mo Williams would not be a top twenty scorer in
the men's leg I plan no disrespect. I know he
was good fifteen sixteen years ago he was. How's he
an All Star? Jamal Murray no All Star, Aaron Gordon,
(33:10):
no Allstar? Michael Porter junior and his big fat contract,
no All Star, and Jokic is carrying them. Before this
late season swoon year, they were looking at being two
or three in the West and Yokich is basically carrying
the franchise without an All Star. They just fired the coach.
And there's a huge article that just came out a
(33:30):
few hours ago about what the hell happened in Denver,
And apparently the Nuggets wanted to fire Michael Malone mid
season at the All Star break. They wanted to run
him out, that's how toxic it was. But they somehow
peeled off eight wins in a row and it was
basically jo Kich just destroying some really bad teams. So
of course they played their first game without Malone. Jokich
(33:51):
is drawing up plays on the side line him. So
you guys saw that. And then afterward here's their new
head coach, David Adelman, talking about the dub.
Speaker 7 (33:59):
We know what's ahead here.
Speaker 10 (34:00):
Hey, we got a playoff team Friday, a playoff team Sunday, So.
Speaker 5 (34:04):
We have a big journey ahead of us.
Speaker 7 (34:06):
The great thing about tonight you all stayed with it.
Speaker 10 (34:08):
Everybody say, oh my gosh, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (34:24):
It's a happy locker room again. So are the Nuggets
going to turn it around or does this go south?
They lose in the first round, and Yokic maybe asked south.
Now it seems unlikely that he would ask out Jay.
No European, no international superstar has ever asked out Okay.
Why can't he be the first? What are these unhappy? Now?
(34:45):
This is interesting. I'm sure you guys saw this. So
Michael Malone, like after the Pacers loss, I think it
was Sunday, was like, we hope to get back Jamal
Murray for the playoffs.
Speaker 7 (34:52):
We don't know.
Speaker 3 (34:53):
Jamal Murray just announced he may play tonight. So was
it like, whoa wait a minute, Jamal Murray?
Speaker 5 (34:59):
Did he hate.
Speaker 3 (35:00):
Malone that much? And why didn't Yo kid step up
and be like, yo, hey, this is my guy, don't
fire him like you would think if they liked Malone,
Yokich would have stepped up. Jamal Murray's now back. They're
playing the bench, guys. It seems everything is copacetic in Denver.
The only problem is Yokic has no help. And now
(35:21):
I love Jamal Murray. He's super clutch. He's killed the
Lakers in the playoffs, in the bubble, he was mister
fifty piece. I think he averaged like forty eight points
in a series.
Speaker 4 (35:28):
Some of them ridiculous.
Speaker 3 (35:30):
They're a good team, but I just wonder if they're teetering,
because remember when Lebron kept asking the front office for help,
and they were like, oh, yeah, we'll get you a
thirty four year old shack. And here's Antoine Jamison who
was good for like eight minutes in Washington. That'll help you, right,
And Lebron looked around AND's like, do you see Dwight
Howard getting legit help in Orlando? Do you see the
Celtics leveling up with freaking Hall of famers and you
(35:53):
doing nothing for me? And Lebron's just pieced out. Could
Jokic do that? I know you're saying, no way. He
would rather ride horses in Serbia then form a team
or force his way somewhere. We'll see. It's still early
in his career. He's only thirty, and Yokis is probably
going to age gracefully given his skill set is insane.
He's like an ar Vita Sabonis passing. We know he
(36:15):
can hit threes. He's hitting forty one percent on threes
this year. That's insane, So I think it's worth keeping
an eye on the Jokic situation where he is possibly
somehow underrated. All right, we'll wrap up this hour because
I'm gonna go back to my Chiefs take. I had
one of the producers in my ear, Jmack, You're getting
crushed online for this Kansas City Chiefs are going to
miss the playoffs, as Alex laughs maniacally. So he had
(36:39):
Ben bolan On covers the league for the Boston Globe,
and I asked him about the Chiefs, and I made
my strong case, like, remember I wanted to be a
lawyer when I was a kid. And my teacher and
I'll never forget this, one of my few teachers that
I remember from elementary school was like to my parents
at back to school, and Jason would make a great
lawyer because he loves to argue. And at the time,
(37:02):
I was like, oh, i'll be a lawyer. Cool, And
then I found out you got to go like a
bunch of years at school after college. I was like,
I'm good, no thanks, but I feel like I can
argue anything. And I made the case the Chiefs are
going to miss the playoffs. And I asked Ben about it,
and he said.
Speaker 6 (37:17):
I would never count these guys out. And they're bringing
Kelsey back for another year. There's still plenty of time
before they kick the ball off in September. There are
still moves to be made, whether it's fighting another receiver
or you know, bolstering the offensive line. The draft is
coming up. I think the Chiefs they're not just sitting
on their hands this offseason. They're trying to make their
their roster better and trying to specifically address their offensive line.
Speaker 5 (37:41):
So you know, maybe you know, maybe you're writing that
they're not going to win fifteen games and go fifteen
to two.
Speaker 6 (37:47):
But that said, I'm never counting out Patrick Mahomes and
Andy Reid and Travis Kelson. These guys are too good
and too savvy and have won too many games for
them not to have things figured out by the fall.
Speaker 3 (37:58):
And Ben obviously is not there. I'm not counting out
Reading Mahomes. I mean two two are the best to
ever do it. That being said, I don't have the
Chiefs in the playoffs right now now, so God, I
don't know. Sometimes something an idea will kick in your
head and you're like, ooh, that's good, and then you're like, oh,
I probably shouldn't say that on air. So we talked
(38:20):
about like Shadoor Sanders and he's kind of batching interviews. Well,
think about this with the Chiefs. Sometimes you don't reveal everything, right.
Sometimes you hold some stuff back, almost save it for
next time you meet a girl at a bar kick
game and get a number. But you're you're withholding some
of your your good stuff for maybe a first dat it,
second day.
Speaker 7 (38:38):
Whatever.
Speaker 3 (38:40):
I talked about the Chiefs earlier, right, I wanted my
little tangent. I saved some stuff, little Amo, save it
just in case. I'm back to a corner. Do you
guys know the history of the Super Bowl loser? It's
called the Super Bowl hangover. You're familiar with it, obviously,
forty nine Ers fans sure as hell are. Last year
times they went to the super Bowl. The following year
(39:02):
it fell apart like a house of cards. Okay, four
of the last nine Super Bowl losers didn't even make
the playoffs the next year. I know it's a tiny
sample size. That being said, I will go back to
the other point I made. This team has had a
lot of playoff battles. In January and February. The last
(39:24):
three years, ten playoff games that wear and tear adds
up on your body. I mean, Isaiah Pacheco started to
show the first cracks.
Speaker 4 (39:32):
He was hurt.
Speaker 3 (39:33):
Offense really sad. They went out and got who another
oft injured running back in Elijah Mitchell. Guys, go look
at the Chiefs dep chart. It doesn't scare a soul.
You cover up Patrick Mahomes, right, you cover up the quarterback.
And I'm just telling you, as I call it up here,
none of these guys are like, oh geez, how do
how the hell do we game plan for Xavier Worthy?
Speaker 6 (39:53):
Uh?
Speaker 2 (39:54):
She Rice?
Speaker 3 (39:54):
We assume her she Rice is gonna be back. We
don't know Hollywood Brown. Remember they got him last year
and it was like, Hollywood Brown, Oh what a value
you get there?
Speaker 5 (40:02):
Is?
Speaker 3 (40:04):
He could be awesome as the number three. Come on, Hollywood,
what the hell did he do last year? Sky Moore
guy can't catch a cold. Kelsey's getting old. I'm just
saying there is a lot of weakness on this Chiefs team.
Mcduffy their great slot corner. They moved him outside last year,
not as great, not as great, struggled, So they went
out and got Christian Fulton, who just can't stay healthy
(40:25):
at all. So you can move McDuffie back to slot.
Like they're tinkering around the edges. It's difficult. It's tough
to stay on top forever. I'm gonna stand by it.
Speaker 4 (40:36):
It's not happening for the Chiefs this year.
Speaker 6 (40:37):
Now.
Speaker 3 (40:37):
I can see Alex smirking, see a couple other people
in the studio, You're.
Speaker 4 (40:40):
Like, oh, dear j Mak, what are we doing?
Speaker 3 (40:43):
Alex, listen, go go big or go home. You got
me bold, You're bold.
Speaker 4 (40:46):
You you got the teal No, not Tealoise. Yeah, but
Jim Mac when you're talking about the Super Bowl hangover,
I think that applies to every other team except the Chiefs,
who have won three Super Bowls since twenty nineteen. So
that's not I don't think that plays has the same
(41:07):
effect on a team that is like a dynasty and
they just laid an egg in the Super Bowl last year,
like they are still Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid and
Travis kel Safey's healthy Chiefs and they've always just been.
As long as those three are locked in, they'll figure
out the rest. Obviously, their defense was also top notch,
as well not no one showed up in the Super Bowl.
(41:30):
But I'm not gonna base their whole next season on
that one super Bowl no of course performance, It's still
Patrick Mahomes the.
Speaker 3 (41:37):
Chiefs one score games, no way, offensive line is a
train wreck. I just I'm not buying them. Like nothing
lasts forever in this league.
Speaker 4 (41:46):
You know that, Alex.
Speaker 3 (41:47):
The Patriots, they couldn't keep it together two decades. It
was so tough every single year to make the playoffs.
They have Brady at Belichick, There's just not a lot
they can do around the margins. Coming up next, did
the Browns just said us another signal that they're not
going to draft Shadoor Sanders at two
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