September 17, 2025 • 31 mins
Colin talks to Fox Sports NFL analyst Mark Sanchez about Aaron Rodgers leading the Steelers offense and what Brian Schottenheimer has done to elevate Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
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Speaker 2 (00:21):
You're listening to Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Kelly's just looking at some of the teams that Harbor
Jimmy Johnson thing, and I said, Jimmy Johnson and Harbaugh
are the only ones that hit a home run in
both places. It should be noted that Jimmy was such
a great personnel guy that when he left, he always
left teams with a lot of players. That helps a lot.
When Wanstat took over, they had dudes wants. That was
much more successful in Miami than people realize. I think
(00:48):
he's the last coach. Is he the last coach to
win a playoff game in Miami? But like he had
a better record when they fired him than Mike Tomlin
at the time had in Pittsburgh. But Pittsburgh doesn't fire coaches,
and it just shows you how you know, it's just
tough in this league. Mark Sanchez is now joining US Live.
He got the Cardinals at the Niners this Sunday, which
is fascinating because you know, I was watching Mac Jones,
(01:10):
and I mean, obviously there's certain coaches. Shane Stike and
made Daniel Jones ten for ten in his first ten drive,
Like clearly where you land as a quarterback. It's incredibly valuable.
What is it about Shanahan? I joke that his playbook
should be called Quarterback for Dummies. It's virtually impossible.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Not to work.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
But what is it about Mac Jones? Looked, that's the
best pro game I've ever seen Mac Jones have on
the road. They asked him to throw forty times. What
is it about the playbook of Shanahan?
Speaker 4 (01:42):
Here's what I would equate it to. If you're a
coordinator worth your salt, You're like a GPS for quarterbacks.
It doesn't matter who's driving. I'm going to give you
a roadmap and I'm going to provide you with turn
by turn directions. You just got to execute these plays
for me and stay out of trouble. Just stay in
the center lane fifty five miles an hour and do
(02:04):
what I tell you. Right, Sometimes you're gonna have to
go off script. Sometimes you're gonna have to go fill
up for gas whatever it is, but they're gonna give
you the roadmap. So the mcveigh's, I mean, remember Sean McVeigh.
He brought Baker Mayfield in for like less than twenty
four hours and beat the Raiders in a two minute drive.
Kevin O'Connell's done it with different players, but Shanahan specifically
(02:25):
with Mac Jones, and he started the game pretty shaky.
And when you read some of those articles about postgame
and Trent Williams going up to talk to him and
getting him to relax a little bit, and then he
just looked so comfortable, and you can really appreciate when
a coach can handle that, And that truly tells me
(02:47):
if this coordinator is any good. That's like the ultimate
way of determining if the coordinator's worth it. How many
different quarterbacks have played for you, and what does it
look like when your superstar is not playing for you
Andy Reid for example. You know Donovan McNabb, Jeff Garcia,
Tevin Cobb, you name it, Patrick Mahomes, different styles, different attributes,
(03:07):
but they're all gonna have some level of success. Jimmy Garoppolo,
Brock Purdy, now Mac Jones. So this is no different
for Kyle Shanahan. The thing that I'm almost more impressed
with is how he's doing it with the O line,
the patchwork O line that they're having to use right
now because they're banged up, and they still find a
way to get the ball to the playmakers and get
(03:28):
the quarterback to play at a high level.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
I know you've looked at Arizona. Ten teams in the
league are two and oh, ten or zero and two.
We know that doesn't mean everything, but Arizona. Arizona, to me,
has a lot of good players. I don't know if
they have the depth, the consistent line play. They're two
and oh now they faced the Niners. Do you buy
Arizona's two and oh start? Because the Rams Rams started
(03:50):
Denver started Baltimore last year, started off slowly and made
the playerffs. Two and oh doesn't guarantee anything.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
It doesn't guarantee anything. However, stealing these wins early on
does set you up for success later on in the year.
You're not chasing potentially another team and keeps you in
pace for the divisional race. The themes there really are.
I do think Jonathan Gannon's brought a strong culture to
(04:18):
their team, and it's a balanced offense with Drew Petzig
and basically Kyler Murray's playing efficient football. He's avoiding a
lot of the negative plays. It's it's making the timely
throws and James Connor his ability to run down heel,
run down hill steals the play action. That's that's what
really gets this team going. And then Kyler picking and
(04:41):
choosing his spots to run. I mean, I know people
make the joke about you know he's he the way
he runs, he kind of looks like the toddler running
around with the remote control and nobody can catch him,
Like he just can't corral him. And so when he
does that the right way, gets down, doesn't get hits,
and then decides to make throws as he extends plays
and complete them. I mean, it's some of the best
(05:02):
in the league. You can put them up there with
Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson in those extended plays, scramble
mode situations. My only concern is the mounting injuries. That's
really going to test the depth and sustainability of this defense. Remember,
Jonathan Gannon he wants to confuse you with some of
those looks in the back end. And they're down a
(05:24):
ton of players, Their defensive backs are depleted. So how
exotic can you get with these coverages? How much when
you get exotic with coverages, you better communicate. So it's
going to be more of an emphasis on guys like
to Baker to stabilize that unit in the back end.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
So Nick Sirianni always surprised me. I thought I did
his first press conference. I'd call people in the league
and they're like, I don't know if he's quite ready
to be a head coaching job, but he's really done
a good job, and he works in that city with
that culture, and I think, by the way, I think
it's also fair to say that people do get better
at their jobs, not just quarterbacks, but coaches. Brian Schottenheimer
(06:02):
I was told by people I trust he hadn't interviewed
for a head job forever. He was kind of an
old school offensive guy. And then I've watched them the
first two weeks. Dak looks great. Clock management's good, not
a lot of penalties. They're getting the ball. I mean,
they've created run lanes. I mean I gotta be honest,
I'm surprised. I thought this team could be a bit
(06:24):
of a mess. I think they've overachieved offensively. You've watched them.
You know Schottenheimer, do you not?
Speaker 4 (06:31):
Yeah? Well, he was my coordinator for my first three
years in the NFL and the year before I got there.
So two thousand and eight, he was a coordinator for
Brett fav they acquired Brett Favre. Well. Schottenheimer was a
disciple of the Zampzi system and North Turner system, so
that was all numbers. You basically used three numbers to
(06:53):
tell the X, the Y, and the Z receivers where
to go, and then you'll add a tag for your
slot receiver on what route is. Well, Brett Farve, that
didn't jive with him. He was a words guy. He
was an old school West Coast guy, and so there
was a clash there. Well Shady adapted the whole system,
came up with code words that Brett Farv used. So
when I get there, he basically asked me, all right,
(07:15):
what do you want to do? Because the coaches, the
other players on the team, we might know the system
that we ran last year, but just because we can
talk about it. If the quarterback can't talk about it,
we're all getting fired anyway. So what hits your brain?
And I know for a fact the last few years
working with McCarthy and Dak keeping some of those core principles,
(07:36):
inserting some of the stuff that he's used throughout his
storied and long career in the NFL. He's been a
coach for over twenty years, just never a head coach.
He's got the pedigree because of his dad and all
the success that Marty Schottenheimer had in Kansas City. So
he was primed, poised and ready to go. And now
he's got history with Dak. They're speaking the same language.
(07:59):
And then the point is Dak's health. When he's healthy,
he's recognizing stuff, he's communicating with his coordinator. He's executing
at a high level. And it's obvious, it's palpable. I mean,
look at the clip after the game of these guys
in the locker room celebrating an absolute monster win in
overtime against the divisional rival, and he said, on this team,
(08:22):
we celebrate really cool stuff. And so he calls out
each guy's accomplishments from the game. So and so scored
a touchdown, yes, and the team is like fired up.
Those kind of moments, that's why you do it. Colin.
As a former player, that's what you miss. The bus rides,
the plane rides, the locker rooms after the game, you
can tell they have something special going in Dallas. Now,
it's just avoiding all the outside noise that's inherently a
(08:45):
part of the Cowboys and continuing to build that culture
that he started.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Yeah, and it also should be noted when you're building
a coach culture, it does. You need buy in, and
they have looked real Exeter, so pro athletes need buy in.
You can't you can't just keep pounding the table. And
so good for Brian Schottenneimer. Ok, you did the Seahawks
Steelers game, which was a fascinating a second half. I mean,
(09:11):
between the snaffoo on special teams and Seattle's defense. So
I want to start with Pittsburgh because I had said
coming into the season they haven't been able to create
cohesion in their run game for seven years. And Aaron
just came from the Jets who didn't run well, and
now he's going to the Steelers, and I said, it's
going to look like a better version of the Jets.
(09:32):
A forty one year old quarterback who doesn't want to
run around without a run game. That is a big ask.
So let's take give us some of your video you
bring tape. What did you see from Aaron good player,
bad play that you liked or didn't?
Speaker 4 (09:46):
Well? Listen. I think Aaron's going to get to the
answer a little more quickly than a lot of players
playing because of his history in this league, because of
all the reps that have mounted up over time. I
do think Arthur Smith and him have put together something special.
I think they're still trying to figure out how to
use DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin, you know, some of their
(10:07):
tight ends Friarmouth, John News Smith trying to figure out
exactly how these pieces fit into their offense and get
them in success successful positions essentially. But Aaron's done plenty
to win these first two games. They happened to lose
this most recent one and everything started to go downhill
after this interception. So we're going to start rolling the
(10:29):
clip here in a second, But just keep in mind
he had just tied Brett Farv for number four all
time in passing touchdowns before this. This was to surpass
Brett Favre and this is an elite play by Aaron
Rodgers and a mishap by Calvin Austin. So they're using
a formation out to the right that they used earlier
in the game. And now Rogers is signaling, so he's
(10:50):
kind of like counter punching off of a jab earlier
that he threw a touchdown to DK metcalf On. Now
we saw this Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs Chargers Week one.
If that defensive end wraps inside and leaves the outside
lane open, this is what you're talking about, a defensive
rush that has to be in sync. So boy and
mafelects to go inside. Jaron Reid says, hey, I got
(11:13):
to cover the outside. Aaron Rodgers reading to the right,
nothing's there. Look how fast he processes realize the defensive
end is inside and gets outside. The guy's forty one
years old. He just had achille surgery two years ago,
and he's about to throw one of the best throws
I saw all weekend and break the record to be
(11:34):
number four all time and passing touchdowns to Friarmouth. That's
Friarmouth's position, the back pylon right there, he's running a
route that keeps him there. Red zone, low red zone
scramble rules facing. I need somebody at the back, Pilon.
I need somebody at the front, Pilon. Aaron Rodgers is
throwing this thing to a spot where only his guy
can get it. These rules and the integrity of these
(11:57):
rules are paramount. Calvin Austen, I said it on air,
brings ants to the picnic. You can't go interfere with
that lane. Your position is the front pylon. If he
doesn't mess with that football, that's a touchdown. In this game,
we're seeing a very different tune about the Steelers. Rogers
mentioned it in his press conference after the game. It's
(12:18):
exactly the way we broke it down, not just in
this clip, but in the game live and those kind
of mistakes. We're talking that kind of margin of air.
We're talking three to six yards of difference in positioning
and spacing, and it's a completely different ballgame. Incredible play
by Aaron, complete blunder by Calvin Austin. He's got to
get better and remember his low red zone scramble rules integrity.
(12:42):
Now moving on to Sam Darnold, I think Kubiak, his coordinator,
I just thought. He really put him in great positions
this weekend, and he's doing some old school kind of
West Coast Shanahan Kubiak kind of stuff. He's going under center,
five step plant and ripping the ball down the field.
You just don't see that anymore, especially near the goal line.
(13:04):
So go ahead and roll the clip, and I want
you to watch Sam's eyes integrity, his eye integrity. How
quick that ball pops out of his hand on a
five step drop plant. You just don't see it anymore.
This is like a throwback twenty years ago. You saw
Lway do that, Marino do that. But here's the concept
basically up top and Jigba's on that post, and that's
really your alert down here at the bottom the three receivers.
(13:28):
That's a concept that you'll get to if the alert
is not open. And when you realize that alert isn't open,
and you see Patrick Queen, the middle linebacker number six,
adjusting to your formation and shade it to the right,
you got to hold your eyes for those first five
steps and move him slightly to the left to create
a window to throw this ball to Barner, their tight end,
(13:50):
second year man out of Michigan. So watch the steps one, two, three, four,
five balls out come on Colin. That's like, that's like
the old combine drills. That's you know, old school l way,
like you just don't see players do that anymore. And
(14:11):
I love that Clint Kobiak is still employing those things.
I love Sam's eyes on that play. It was. It
was a real nostalgic moment and a key moment for
the Seahawks to get a victory.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
By the way, let me before we wrap it up,
Justin Herbert, a head coach of often in the NFL,
can help with personnel. Offensive coaches tend to be better
at developing run games and offensive lines. If you look
the last six or seven years, the better offensive lines
in the NFL at the end of the year are
offensive coaches Harball. I'm watching Justin Herbert's first nine team
(14:46):
games with Harball, and I go back to his last
twenty games with Staley, and I don't know exactly what
it is, but I mean, stylistically, he looks the same.
He's still big, Art moves well, but he has cleaned
up something. Harbas's cleaned up something. He just doesn't turn
(15:06):
it over. And is that eliminating plays from a playbook,
I mean, because the receiving course still feels a guy short.
How do you what is Harbaugh doing here? In your opinion,
it just feels like I'm getting just a cleaner, tighter
justin Herbert. Still big, still moves, still big arm, still accurate,
(15:30):
but it's different. What do you think it is?
Speaker 4 (15:34):
I think he's starting to reach that point in his
career where his structure, the protocols in place, the preparation
and understanding the reads are are really starting to fall
in line. That rolodex of coverages that you've seen versus
specific plays are just coming up to the forefront of
(15:56):
his mind. And he's also understanding this is where this
is where backs really take the next step in their
maturation process. We're not just running plays on the field ever.
In practice, you're running a bunch of plays, but you're
practicing specific situations. And when the call comes in the headset,
do I know why the play caller gave me that play?
(16:19):
What's the play caller's purpose? If you can answer that
clearly and succinctly as soon as the play call comes in,
you have an excellent chance to be successful on that play,
and you can tell it's happening. The one thing I
will say, you know, I understand the contrast to Staley
versus Harbaugh defensive guy to offensive guy, but don't forget
I mean they were up twenty eight nothing in a
(16:41):
playoff game in Jacksonville and absolutely blew it. And that
wasn't all Justin Herbert, right, I mean Joey Books that
got a penalty for slamming his helmet down, Like, you know,
come on, So I think things change there if you
win that playoff game. But I think part of this
is just timing wise with Herbert. He still has the athleticism.
(17:03):
He's like the prime of your career. To me, you
still have the athleticism, but now you have the knowledge,
Now you have the experience, and now you can get
to the answer faster than a lot of other players
because you're an elite processor. And so it's all coming
together for Justin Herbert. You know, maybe it's a new girlfriend,
maybe it's the new offensive system. I don't know, but
(17:24):
whatever it is, it's working and it's awesome to see.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
Yeah, it really is one of the really nice guys.
Mark that was great, absolutely primo stuff today and enjoy
Cardinals at the Niners that's going to be a good
that game is through the years, they've given the Niners
a lot of trouble. They've matched up well, so that's
going to be a great watch on Fox. As always,
Mark Sanchez delivers J Mac your Arizona Cardinals. You picked
(17:48):
him as your shocking team in the NFL, and I
got to be honest with you, I should have had
him last weekend. I think I like the Niners.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
Let me just remind you.
Speaker 5 (17:58):
In that opener against the Saints, Juwan Johnson catches a
touchdown pass to tiet but the cabal gets dislodged, so
they didn't cover against the Panthers and they barely covered
against the Saints.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
Those are like bottom five teams in the league.
Speaker 5 (18:11):
So Arizona needs to close the door when they go
up twenty seven to three.
Speaker 3 (18:15):
Colin, you got to run away and hide.
Speaker 1 (18:18):
Don't disagree. Yeah, but they've given the Niners trouble through
the years. They have Kyler Murray running around is given
that defensive front seven some troubles. J mack Herdline News Next.
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Speaker 4 (19:10):
Turn on the news.
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This is the Herdline News.
Speaker 5 (19:13):
All right, mister Cowherd, Let's start with the big one
Sunday on Fox, biggest game of the weekend, the divisional
round rematch of the Rams and Philadelphia. I'm very excited
for this game. We've talked about it a lot. But also,
you know your guy, Jalen Hurts. I'm calling him your
guy because of that segment earlier, but OC Kevin Patello
(19:34):
Patoulo sorry, says the situation dictates his play calling.
Speaker 7 (19:40):
When you look at when we game plan and stuff
like that, that's obviously always the first thing we do
is how we want to push the ball down the field.
And as a staff, we work really hard on the plan,
especially you know, these next couple of days to put
that on there. And that's a part of it. And
sometimes you know in game which just doesn't happen. It's
definitely something we want to do. It's not something we're avoiding.
So I know, going forward, you know, we have the
(20:02):
plan in place and if it comes up, it'll definitely happen.
Speaker 3 (20:06):
Yeah, zero passing touchdowns.
Speaker 8 (20:08):
Now.
Speaker 5 (20:09):
I have Jalen Hurts in fantasy. I'm a big Hurts guy.
You know, I have him top five. I think you're
inching closer to putting him at number five. I will
say this, This RAMS secondary is going to be without Witherspoon,
who's very good.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
And you know, I know what Kobe is it?
Speaker 1 (20:26):
Kobe?
Speaker 3 (20:26):
Yeah, Kobe Durant has played well early safeties.
Speaker 5 (20:29):
I think there's an opportunity for Hurts to get some
big plays down the field. It is a great matchup,
certainly the number one game of the weekend.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
Yeah. I mean the Rams usually can avoid trouble in
the back end because they create such a great pass rush,
so they don't need to be It was a surprise
that they didn't take a tackle or a corner. In
this draft, a lot of people were surprised they took
another running back and another outside linebacker. So they feel
like they're a corner shy and it feels like they
(21:01):
have to go heavy into a quarterback and a tackle
next year offensive tackle. But I think their pass rush
gets them out of concern most of the time. I
mean cam Ward again, just they don't allow a running game.
There's a lot of third and longs. So I think
this is the game of the weekend. I think it's
a really good game.
Speaker 5 (21:21):
How about the Rams may have found their Zach Bond.
Remember how Zach Bond was like a kind of a
nobody with the Saints and now he's Landambro land Man.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
There you go, you know.
Speaker 5 (21:30):
Obviously the Atlanta Yeah, so this is the guy who
was undrafted and he looks like he has the chops,
you know. Sometimes Colin, it's the undrafted guys, the guy's
drafted late who have that they're they're hungry, they have
that desire.
Speaker 3 (21:45):
To rise up and be a star.
Speaker 5 (21:46):
And Landman he make him plays everywhere all he's a ballhawk,
similar to Zach Bond. I like him a lot, and
he may be the guy in charge with Hey, you
gotta stick with Sakuon barkleyut of the backfield.
Speaker 3 (21:57):
That's a tall order.
Speaker 5 (21:59):
Next up, Colin, let's go to Jayden Daniels Washington. I
got my buddies in DC. They are monitoring this closely.
Jayden Daniels this knee injury. They're calling it a sprained knee.
Dan Quinn said. Daniels will definitely not practice today.
Speaker 3 (22:13):
There is the.
Speaker 5 (22:14):
Potential potential for him to practice Friday.
Speaker 3 (22:18):
Now.
Speaker 5 (22:18):
I'm on record, I would not force him back against
the Raiders non divisional matchup.
Speaker 3 (22:22):
I would save him for next week.
Speaker 5 (22:24):
I believe they have the Falcons next week in a
big one.
Speaker 3 (22:27):
Marcus Mariota is the backup. What do you do here?
Speaker 1 (22:30):
If you're dan Quinn well, I mean, I think this
is with young athletes. It's always a game time decision.
It's amazing. With a good night's sleep forty eight hours.
I mean, it's right now, it's Wednesday, he could feel
you know, I mean by Saturday night he's going to bed,
He's like, I feel great. So you also have great
training staff. So my take is you just have to wait.
(22:50):
I would always rather play him. I think playing hurt
is almost just it's a reality of the NFL for
a quarterback. You're always playing dinged up by week three
and week four or But to your point is it's
not one of the bigger games on their schedule. I
do think though, they've had extra time to prepare because
they played on Thursday against Green Bay. And if you
have an extra time advantage, use it. I mean in
(23:14):
this division, in the NFC. The NFC this year, i'd
argue talked about him is better than the AFC. You
have extra prep time, take advantage of it and win
the game. I probably play him.
Speaker 5 (23:26):
They also lost Eckler to an achilles. His season's over,
so Washington could be down Zechler their starter or what
would you call him the third down back? You know,
I know they got crosskey merit, but if you're down
QB one and running back one or two.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
Whatever like that.
Speaker 5 (23:41):
I don't know that Washington's a lay up this weekend
against against the Raiders. I have no no action on
this game. Do you have a leaner You're gonna wait
for the quarterbacks?
Speaker 3 (23:48):
Certain, yeah, I don't know.
Speaker 1 (23:50):
It's like the COVID year. You have to wait until
Sunday morning to see who's playing, I'd stay away from it.
Speaker 5 (23:54):
Yeah, final story, Colin is to Sammy d Sam Darnold
not off to an amaze easing start statistically, but they
did get the win over the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Coming
off their victory, brock Heward broke down what made Donald
so successful against Pittsburgh.
Speaker 9 (24:12):
Sam Darnold, I think knows personnels as much as anything else.
Sam could throw it to the number, Sam could throw
it outside as well. Sam's got plenty of horsepower. You
can get those gimme hitches, you can get those go
routes on the premier. You could certainly take advantage of
things on the outside. But where's the strength of Sam's game.
Where's the strength of your personnel?
Speaker 4 (24:29):
Right now?
Speaker 9 (24:30):
Cooper Cup is amazing, amazing at feeling space between the
hashes JSN. He talked about his body control of Mike
McDonald yesterday and those areas and his short airy quickness
off the charts.
Speaker 1 (24:43):
Yeah, I like Seattle in this by. I think Seattle
is a ball knocked loose in the red zone away
from being two to zero and a heavy favorite in
Week three. So I had Seattle making the playoffs as
a wild card team. I like him in this spot.
I think the defense is really fast. I think are
really alert. I thought they totally dominated the second half
(25:03):
against Pittsburgh. I liked the coach. So I mean, you know,
let's not forget Kevin O'Connell knows quarterbacks. He tried to
re sign Donald Sam wanted to be the starter, well
paid and have nobody behind him to threaten him. Whereas
JJ mc McCarthy if Donald stayed was you know, they
(25:23):
drafted him. They gave up two picks in the first round.
Speaker 8 (25:26):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
So I mean, I think you look at that now.
I think Seattle john Snyder GM for the It's almost
like Baker to Tampa for the price tag. They got
a you know, Tampa got an a quarterback for a
B price. Seattle got a B plus quarterback for a
C plus B minus price. So there's there is value
(25:49):
if you don't have a superstar quarterback, what's the number
because you can surround it with more good players. So
I think Tampa and Seattle got breaks. They got real
value at the best position and most important position in
the sport.
Speaker 5 (26:01):
I just want to ask about this home field mystique
in Seattle. So I'm looking at the numbers here, uh
two and seven last season at home and against the
spread as a favorite one four and one, Colin I
is lumin Field that much is it's still difficult to
play in We know Legion of Boom it was.
Speaker 3 (26:20):
It was very tough.
Speaker 1 (26:20):
They were unstoppable Dame team traveling three thousand miles with
a fairly untested quarterback against a hyper aggressive, young, fast defense.
I think that's a spot for Seattle Dome team cross country.
I mean, and I think Spencer Rattler actually has talent.
I mean I think maybe New Orleans found him. I mean,
(26:41):
he always had a good arm, he always moved like
he's talented. But my take is this is not a
great spot for the Saints. Yeah. J Mack with a news,
Well that's the news, and thanks for stopping by the
Herd line. Jim Harbaud talk on the show today, Joel
Klatt had interesting point that's next.
Speaker 2 (27:01):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays
in noon Easter not am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio
FS one and the iHeartRadio.
Speaker 1 (27:10):
App almost all overnight and then when he leaves, they're
a mess. And so it's just he's a very unique personality,
and he used to be really intense, really intense. He's
lightened up noticeably the last couple of years, just in
the last year and a half two years with the Chargers.
Here's some of Jim's finer moments.
Speaker 8 (27:32):
It feels like New Year's Day, you know, it feels
like being born, feels like coming out of the womb.
You know, it's like here and there, it's comfortable, it's safe,
and now you're out and born. Light's run, it's bright.
Speaker 4 (27:47):
Tell myself, it's not just another day.
Speaker 1 (27:50):
It's two days.
Speaker 8 (27:51):
He's the opposite of a to the house plant is Field.
Speaker 4 (27:59):
Just like Field, Corn.
Speaker 8 (28:03):
Doesn't need to be talked to, and like Moses, I'm
gonna diluting on my staff. Mister Mili, you would say
Jarati yes, karaty no, you know, safe in the.
Speaker 4 (28:15):
Middle, squashed.
Speaker 8 (28:16):
I think if you also heard me say, I mean
there's not one gene in his body, I wouldn't like
immediate portray, you know, to Rigato.
Speaker 4 (28:26):
Justin Patrick Herbert.
Speaker 1 (28:30):
I also think when you have so much success, you
win a Natty at Michigan and then you you you know,
you've gotten to a super Bowl, and then you take
a job where you're familiar with the state, and you
get a great quarterback that makes it it's so hard
for like Ben Johnson, whether it works or not. Ben
Johnson's like, I'm gonna go to Chicago because the quarterback
looks pretty good. Like that's a real thing in this league.
(28:52):
It is, you know, if you don't have I mean,
that's why Urban took the Jacksonville job. I mean, you
look at it from the outside, you're like, okay, Trevor Lawrence.
You know, the only time a coach has taken a job,
maybe in the last ten years, where you're like, oh,
that's gonna work was Matt Lafleur getting Aaron Rodgers on
(29:12):
the tail end of his prime and Harbaugh getting Herbert
Like those were the two you were like, that's gonna work,
and it's gonna work. Your one, Like, that's gonna work.
Most of the time, you've got a weird owner, you know,
you've got a billionaire who's impulsive, or you don't have
a roster, you know, and even if everything's right, this
this is such a week to week league. But Matt
(29:34):
Lafleur with Aaron Harbaugh to Herbert, those work, and those
work instantly. But I mean as good as Kyle Shanahan is,
he has a losing record of Christian McCaffrey doesn't play
like it is so hard in this league to win games,
and Harbaw just does it fast, and you know, he's
(29:55):
just a very You know, it's not just a personnel thing.
Because the Chargers defense was last on league. It's first,
and they lost a Bosa. You know, it's still Derwin
James and Khalil Mack and it's a couple of young
fifth round corners and it's just you know, it's they
lost Abosa and got better. That doesn't generally happen, so
(30:15):
it all works. I asked Joe Klatt earlier about how
Harbaugh evolved.
Speaker 10 (30:19):
At Michigan after the COVID year, they struggle, he comes
back on remember that restructured deal at Michigan, and he
comes back and in twenty twenty one he came out
and like sat for a production meeting with us for
forty minutes, and I was like, what is happening. What
Jim did post COVID wasn't about football. It was about people,
(30:44):
and he became much more of a people person, even
with all of his quirks. But what never left him
was the foundational things that he believed in. From a
football perspective, I dealt with two very different Jim Harbaugh's
and the one that's coaching right now with the Chargers.
Speaker 1 (31:01):
I think we'll win the Super Bowl.
Speaker 8 (31:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (31:03):
It just he kind of lightened up a lot of people.
You know, they get older, they have some success. You know,
you sense your mortality. You're on the back nine of life,
and you start enjoying it. You know, we'll see you tomorrow.
First thing's first, coming up next
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 noone 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 1 (00:27):
Kelly's just looking at some of the teams that Harbor
Jimmy Johnson thing, and I said, Jimmy Johnson and Harbaugh
are the only ones that hit a home run in
both places. It should be noted that Jimmy was such
a great personnel guy that when he left, he always
left teams with a lot of players. That helps a lot.
When Wanstat took over, they had dudes wants. That was
much more successful in Miami than people realize. I think
(00:48):
he's the last coach. Is he the last coach to
win a playoff game in Miami? But like he had
a better record when they fired him than Mike Tomlin
at the time had in Pittsburgh. But Pittsburgh doesn't fire coaches,
and it just shows you how you know, it's just
tough in this league. Mark Sanchez is now joining US Live.
He got the Cardinals at the Niners this Sunday, which
is fascinating because you know, I was watching Mac Jones,
(01:10):
and I mean, obviously there's certain coaches. Shane Stike and
made Daniel Jones ten for ten in his first ten drive,
Like clearly where you land as a quarterback. It's incredibly valuable.
What is it about Shanahan? I joke that his playbook
should be called Quarterback for Dummies. It's virtually impossible.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Not to work.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
But what is it about Mac Jones? Looked, that's the
best pro game I've ever seen Mac Jones have on
the road. They asked him to throw forty times. What
is it about the playbook of Shanahan?
Speaker 4 (01:42):
Here's what I would equate it to. If you're a
coordinator worth your salt, You're like a GPS for quarterbacks.
It doesn't matter who's driving. I'm going to give you
a roadmap and I'm going to provide you with turn
by turn directions. You just got to execute these plays
for me and stay out of trouble. Just stay in
the center lane fifty five miles an hour and do
(02:04):
what I tell you. Right, Sometimes you're gonna have to
go off script. Sometimes you're gonna have to go fill
up for gas whatever it is, but they're gonna give
you the roadmap. So the mcveigh's, I mean, remember Sean McVeigh.
He brought Baker Mayfield in for like less than twenty
four hours and beat the Raiders in a two minute drive.
Kevin O'Connell's done it with different players, but Shanahan specifically
(02:25):
with Mac Jones, and he started the game pretty shaky.
And when you read some of those articles about postgame
and Trent Williams going up to talk to him and
getting him to relax a little bit, and then he
just looked so comfortable, and you can really appreciate when
a coach can handle that, And that truly tells me
(02:47):
if this coordinator is any good. That's like the ultimate
way of determining if the coordinator's worth it. How many
different quarterbacks have played for you, and what does it
look like when your superstar is not playing for you
Andy Reid for example. You know Donovan McNabb, Jeff Garcia,
Tevin Cobb, you name it, Patrick Mahomes, different styles, different attributes,
(03:07):
but they're all gonna have some level of success. Jimmy Garoppolo,
Brock Purdy, now Mac Jones. So this is no different
for Kyle Shanahan. The thing that I'm almost more impressed
with is how he's doing it with the O line,
the patchwork O line that they're having to use right
now because they're banged up, and they still find a
way to get the ball to the playmakers and get
(03:28):
the quarterback to play at a high level.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
I know you've looked at Arizona. Ten teams in the
league are two and oh, ten or zero and two.
We know that doesn't mean everything, but Arizona. Arizona, to me,
has a lot of good players. I don't know if
they have the depth, the consistent line play. They're two
and oh now they faced the Niners. Do you buy
Arizona's two and oh start? Because the Rams Rams started
(03:50):
Denver started Baltimore last year, started off slowly and made
the playerffs. Two and oh doesn't guarantee anything.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
It doesn't guarantee anything. However, stealing these wins early on
does set you up for success later on in the year.
You're not chasing potentially another team and keeps you in
pace for the divisional race. The themes there really are.
I do think Jonathan Gannon's brought a strong culture to
(04:18):
their team, and it's a balanced offense with Drew Petzig
and basically Kyler Murray's playing efficient football. He's avoiding a
lot of the negative plays. It's it's making the timely
throws and James Connor his ability to run down heel,
run down hill steals the play action. That's that's what
really gets this team going. And then Kyler picking and
(04:41):
choosing his spots to run. I mean, I know people
make the joke about you know he's he the way
he runs, he kind of looks like the toddler running
around with the remote control and nobody can catch him,
Like he just can't corral him. And so when he
does that the right way, gets down, doesn't get hits,
and then decides to make throws as he extends plays
and complete them. I mean, it's some of the best
(05:02):
in the league. You can put them up there with
Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson in those extended plays, scramble
mode situations. My only concern is the mounting injuries. That's
really going to test the depth and sustainability of this defense. Remember,
Jonathan Gannon he wants to confuse you with some of
those looks in the back end. And they're down a
(05:24):
ton of players, Their defensive backs are depleted. So how
exotic can you get with these coverages? How much when
you get exotic with coverages, you better communicate. So it's
going to be more of an emphasis on guys like
to Baker to stabilize that unit in the back end.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
So Nick Sirianni always surprised me. I thought I did
his first press conference. I'd call people in the league
and they're like, I don't know if he's quite ready
to be a head coaching job, but he's really done
a good job, and he works in that city with
that culture, and I think, by the way, I think
it's also fair to say that people do get better
at their jobs, not just quarterbacks, but coaches. Brian Schottenheimer
(06:02):
I was told by people I trust he hadn't interviewed
for a head job forever. He was kind of an
old school offensive guy. And then I've watched them the
first two weeks. Dak looks great. Clock management's good, not
a lot of penalties. They're getting the ball. I mean,
they've created run lanes. I mean I gotta be honest,
I'm surprised. I thought this team could be a bit
(06:24):
of a mess. I think they've overachieved offensively. You've watched them.
You know Schottenheimer, do you not?
Speaker 4 (06:31):
Yeah? Well, he was my coordinator for my first three
years in the NFL and the year before I got there.
So two thousand and eight, he was a coordinator for
Brett fav they acquired Brett Favre. Well. Schottenheimer was a
disciple of the Zampzi system and North Turner system, so
that was all numbers. You basically used three numbers to
(06:53):
tell the X, the Y, and the Z receivers where
to go, and then you'll add a tag for your
slot receiver on what route is. Well, Brett Farve, that
didn't jive with him. He was a words guy. He
was an old school West Coast guy, and so there
was a clash there. Well Shady adapted the whole system,
came up with code words that Brett Farv used. So
when I get there, he basically asked me, all right,
(07:15):
what do you want to do? Because the coaches, the
other players on the team, we might know the system
that we ran last year, but just because we can
talk about it. If the quarterback can't talk about it,
we're all getting fired anyway. So what hits your brain?
And I know for a fact the last few years
working with McCarthy and Dak keeping some of those core principles,
(07:36):
inserting some of the stuff that he's used throughout his
storied and long career in the NFL. He's been a
coach for over twenty years, just never a head coach.
He's got the pedigree because of his dad and all
the success that Marty Schottenheimer had in Kansas City. So
he was primed, poised and ready to go. And now
he's got history with Dak. They're speaking the same language.
(07:59):
And then the point is Dak's health. When he's healthy,
he's recognizing stuff, he's communicating with his coordinator. He's executing
at a high level. And it's obvious, it's palpable. I mean,
look at the clip after the game of these guys
in the locker room celebrating an absolute monster win in
overtime against the divisional rival, and he said, on this team,
(08:22):
we celebrate really cool stuff. And so he calls out
each guy's accomplishments from the game. So and so scored
a touchdown, yes, and the team is like fired up.
Those kind of moments, that's why you do it. Colin.
As a former player, that's what you miss. The bus rides,
the plane rides, the locker rooms after the game, you
can tell they have something special going in Dallas. Now,
it's just avoiding all the outside noise that's inherently a
(08:45):
part of the Cowboys and continuing to build that culture
that he started.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Yeah, and it also should be noted when you're building
a coach culture, it does. You need buy in, and
they have looked real Exeter, so pro athletes need buy in.
You can't you can't just keep pounding the table. And
so good for Brian Schottenneimer. Ok, you did the Seahawks
Steelers game, which was a fascinating a second half. I mean,
(09:11):
between the snaffoo on special teams and Seattle's defense. So
I want to start with Pittsburgh because I had said
coming into the season they haven't been able to create
cohesion in their run game for seven years. And Aaron
just came from the Jets who didn't run well, and
now he's going to the Steelers, and I said, it's
going to look like a better version of the Jets.
(09:32):
A forty one year old quarterback who doesn't want to
run around without a run game. That is a big ask.
So let's take give us some of your video you
bring tape. What did you see from Aaron good player,
bad play that you liked or didn't?
Speaker 4 (09:46):
Well? Listen. I think Aaron's going to get to the
answer a little more quickly than a lot of players
playing because of his history in this league, because of
all the reps that have mounted up over time. I
do think Arthur Smith and him have put together something special.
I think they're still trying to figure out how to
use DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin, you know, some of their
(10:07):
tight ends Friarmouth, John News Smith trying to figure out
exactly how these pieces fit into their offense and get
them in success successful positions essentially. But Aaron's done plenty
to win these first two games. They happened to lose
this most recent one and everything started to go downhill
after this interception. So we're going to start rolling the
(10:29):
clip here in a second, But just keep in mind
he had just tied Brett Farv for number four all
time in passing touchdowns before this. This was to surpass
Brett Favre and this is an elite play by Aaron
Rodgers and a mishap by Calvin Austin. So they're using
a formation out to the right that they used earlier
in the game. And now Rogers is signaling, so he's
(10:50):
kind of like counter punching off of a jab earlier
that he threw a touchdown to DK metcalf On. Now
we saw this Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs Chargers Week one.
If that defensive end wraps inside and leaves the outside
lane open, this is what you're talking about, a defensive
rush that has to be in sync. So boy and
mafelects to go inside. Jaron Reid says, hey, I got
(11:13):
to cover the outside. Aaron Rodgers reading to the right,
nothing's there. Look how fast he processes realize the defensive
end is inside and gets outside. The guy's forty one
years old. He just had achille surgery two years ago,
and he's about to throw one of the best throws
I saw all weekend and break the record to be
(11:34):
number four all time and passing touchdowns to Friarmouth. That's
Friarmouth's position, the back pylon right there, he's running a
route that keeps him there. Red zone, low red zone
scramble rules facing. I need somebody at the back, Pilon.
I need somebody at the front, Pilon. Aaron Rodgers is
throwing this thing to a spot where only his guy
can get it. These rules and the integrity of these
(11:57):
rules are paramount. Calvin Austen, I said it on air,
brings ants to the picnic. You can't go interfere with
that lane. Your position is the front pylon. If he
doesn't mess with that football, that's a touchdown. In this game,
we're seeing a very different tune about the Steelers. Rogers
mentioned it in his press conference after the game. It's
(12:18):
exactly the way we broke it down, not just in
this clip, but in the game live and those kind
of mistakes. We're talking that kind of margin of air.
We're talking three to six yards of difference in positioning
and spacing, and it's a completely different ballgame. Incredible play
by Aaron, complete blunder by Calvin Austin. He's got to
get better and remember his low red zone scramble rules integrity.
(12:42):
Now moving on to Sam Darnold, I think Kubiak, his coordinator,
I just thought. He really put him in great positions
this weekend, and he's doing some old school kind of
West Coast Shanahan Kubiak kind of stuff. He's going under center,
five step plant and ripping the ball down the field.
You just don't see that anymore, especially near the goal line.
(13:04):
So go ahead and roll the clip, and I want
you to watch Sam's eyes integrity, his eye integrity. How
quick that ball pops out of his hand on a
five step drop plant. You just don't see it anymore.
This is like a throwback twenty years ago. You saw
Lway do that, Marino do that. But here's the concept
basically up top and Jigba's on that post, and that's
really your alert down here at the bottom the three receivers.
(13:28):
That's a concept that you'll get to if the alert
is not open. And when you realize that alert isn't open,
and you see Patrick Queen, the middle linebacker number six,
adjusting to your formation and shade it to the right,
you got to hold your eyes for those first five
steps and move him slightly to the left to create
a window to throw this ball to Barner, their tight end,
(13:50):
second year man out of Michigan. So watch the steps one, two, three, four,
five balls out come on Colin. That's like, that's like
the old combine drills. That's you know, old school l way,
like you just don't see players do that anymore. And
(14:11):
I love that Clint Kobiak is still employing those things.
I love Sam's eyes on that play. It was. It
was a real nostalgic moment and a key moment for
the Seahawks to get a victory.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
By the way, let me before we wrap it up,
Justin Herbert, a head coach of often in the NFL,
can help with personnel. Offensive coaches tend to be better
at developing run games and offensive lines. If you look
the last six or seven years, the better offensive lines
in the NFL at the end of the year are
offensive coaches Harball. I'm watching Justin Herbert's first nine team
(14:46):
games with Harball, and I go back to his last
twenty games with Staley, and I don't know exactly what
it is, but I mean, stylistically, he looks the same.
He's still big, Art moves well, but he has cleaned
up something. Harbas's cleaned up something. He just doesn't turn
(15:06):
it over. And is that eliminating plays from a playbook,
I mean, because the receiving course still feels a guy short.
How do you what is Harbaugh doing here? In your opinion,
it just feels like I'm getting just a cleaner, tighter
justin Herbert. Still big, still moves, still big arm, still accurate,
(15:30):
but it's different. What do you think it is?
Speaker 4 (15:34):
I think he's starting to reach that point in his
career where his structure, the protocols in place, the preparation
and understanding the reads are are really starting to fall
in line. That rolodex of coverages that you've seen versus
specific plays are just coming up to the forefront of
(15:56):
his mind. And he's also understanding this is where this
is where backs really take the next step in their
maturation process. We're not just running plays on the field ever.
In practice, you're running a bunch of plays, but you're
practicing specific situations. And when the call comes in the headset,
do I know why the play caller gave me that play?
(16:19):
What's the play caller's purpose? If you can answer that
clearly and succinctly as soon as the play call comes in,
you have an excellent chance to be successful on that play,
and you can tell it's happening. The one thing I
will say, you know, I understand the contrast to Staley
versus Harbaugh defensive guy to offensive guy, but don't forget
I mean they were up twenty eight nothing in a
(16:41):
playoff game in Jacksonville and absolutely blew it. And that
wasn't all Justin Herbert, right, I mean Joey Books that
got a penalty for slamming his helmet down, Like, you know,
come on, So I think things change there if you
win that playoff game. But I think part of this
is just timing wise with Herbert. He still has the athleticism.
(17:03):
He's like the prime of your career. To me, you
still have the athleticism, but now you have the knowledge,
Now you have the experience, and now you can get
to the answer faster than a lot of other players
because you're an elite processor. And so it's all coming
together for Justin Herbert. You know, maybe it's a new girlfriend,
maybe it's the new offensive system. I don't know, but
(17:24):
whatever it is, it's working and it's awesome to see.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
Yeah, it really is one of the really nice guys.
Mark that was great, absolutely primo stuff today and enjoy
Cardinals at the Niners that's going to be a good
that game is through the years, they've given the Niners
a lot of trouble. They've matched up well, so that's
going to be a great watch on Fox. As always,
Mark Sanchez delivers J Mac your Arizona Cardinals. You picked
(17:48):
him as your shocking team in the NFL, and I
got to be honest with you, I should have had
him last weekend. I think I like the Niners.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
Let me just remind you.
Speaker 5 (17:58):
In that opener against the Saints, Juwan Johnson catches a
touchdown pass to tiet but the cabal gets dislodged, so
they didn't cover against the Panthers and they barely covered
against the Saints.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
Those are like bottom five teams in the league.
Speaker 5 (18:11):
So Arizona needs to close the door when they go
up twenty seven to three.
Speaker 3 (18:15):
Colin, you got to run away and hide.
Speaker 1 (18:18):
Don't disagree. Yeah, but they've given the Niners trouble through
the years. They have Kyler Murray running around is given
that defensive front seven some troubles. J mack Herdline News Next.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
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Speaker 6 (18:37):
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Inside the Parker for twenty two minutes of piping hot
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Speaker 3 (18:50):
Whether you believe in analytics or the.
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Speaker 4 (19:10):
Turn on the news.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
This is the Herdline News.
Speaker 5 (19:13):
All right, mister Cowherd, Let's start with the big one
Sunday on Fox, biggest game of the weekend, the divisional
round rematch of the Rams and Philadelphia. I'm very excited
for this game. We've talked about it a lot. But also,
you know your guy, Jalen Hurts. I'm calling him your
guy because of that segment earlier, but OC Kevin Patello
(19:34):
Patoulo sorry, says the situation dictates his play calling.
Speaker 7 (19:40):
When you look at when we game plan and stuff
like that, that's obviously always the first thing we do
is how we want to push the ball down the field.
And as a staff, we work really hard on the plan,
especially you know, these next couple of days to put
that on there. And that's a part of it. And
sometimes you know in game which just doesn't happen. It's
definitely something we want to do. It's not something we're avoiding.
So I know, going forward, you know, we have the
(20:02):
plan in place and if it comes up, it'll definitely happen.
Speaker 3 (20:06):
Yeah, zero passing touchdowns.
Speaker 8 (20:08):
Now.
Speaker 5 (20:09):
I have Jalen Hurts in fantasy. I'm a big Hurts guy.
You know, I have him top five. I think you're
inching closer to putting him at number five. I will
say this, This RAMS secondary is going to be without Witherspoon,
who's very good.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
And you know, I know what Kobe is it?
Speaker 1 (20:26):
Kobe?
Speaker 3 (20:26):
Yeah, Kobe Durant has played well early safeties.
Speaker 5 (20:29):
I think there's an opportunity for Hurts to get some
big plays down the field. It is a great matchup,
certainly the number one game of the weekend.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
Yeah. I mean the Rams usually can avoid trouble in
the back end because they create such a great pass rush,
so they don't need to be It was a surprise
that they didn't take a tackle or a corner. In
this draft, a lot of people were surprised they took
another running back and another outside linebacker. So they feel
like they're a corner shy and it feels like they
(21:01):
have to go heavy into a quarterback and a tackle
next year offensive tackle. But I think their pass rush
gets them out of concern most of the time. I
mean cam Ward again, just they don't allow a running game.
There's a lot of third and longs. So I think
this is the game of the weekend. I think it's
a really good game.
Speaker 5 (21:21):
How about the Rams may have found their Zach Bond.
Remember how Zach Bond was like a kind of a
nobody with the Saints and now he's Landambro land Man.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
There you go, you know.
Speaker 5 (21:30):
Obviously the Atlanta Yeah, so this is the guy who
was undrafted and he looks like he has the chops,
you know. Sometimes Colin, it's the undrafted guys, the guy's
drafted late who have that they're they're hungry, they have
that desire.
Speaker 3 (21:45):
To rise up and be a star.
Speaker 5 (21:46):
And Landman he make him plays everywhere all he's a ballhawk,
similar to Zach Bond. I like him a lot, and
he may be the guy in charge with Hey, you
gotta stick with Sakuon barkleyut of the backfield.
Speaker 3 (21:57):
That's a tall order.
Speaker 5 (21:59):
Next up, Colin, let's go to Jayden Daniels Washington. I
got my buddies in DC. They are monitoring this closely.
Jayden Daniels this knee injury. They're calling it a sprained knee.
Dan Quinn said. Daniels will definitely not practice today.
Speaker 3 (22:13):
There is the.
Speaker 5 (22:14):
Potential potential for him to practice Friday.
Speaker 3 (22:18):
Now.
Speaker 5 (22:18):
I'm on record, I would not force him back against
the Raiders non divisional matchup.
Speaker 3 (22:22):
I would save him for next week.
Speaker 5 (22:24):
I believe they have the Falcons next week in a
big one.
Speaker 3 (22:27):
Marcus Mariota is the backup. What do you do here?
Speaker 1 (22:30):
If you're dan Quinn well, I mean, I think this
is with young athletes. It's always a game time decision.
It's amazing. With a good night's sleep forty eight hours.
I mean, it's right now, it's Wednesday, he could feel
you know, I mean by Saturday night he's going to bed,
He's like, I feel great. So you also have great
training staff. So my take is you just have to wait.
(22:50):
I would always rather play him. I think playing hurt
is almost just it's a reality of the NFL for
a quarterback. You're always playing dinged up by week three
and week four or But to your point is it's
not one of the bigger games on their schedule. I
do think though, they've had extra time to prepare because
they played on Thursday against Green Bay. And if you
have an extra time advantage, use it. I mean in
(23:14):
this division, in the NFC. The NFC this year, i'd
argue talked about him is better than the AFC. You
have extra prep time, take advantage of it and win
the game. I probably play him.
Speaker 5 (23:26):
They also lost Eckler to an achilles. His season's over,
so Washington could be down Zechler their starter or what
would you call him the third down back? You know,
I know they got crosskey merit, but if you're down
QB one and running back one or two.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
Whatever like that.
Speaker 5 (23:41):
I don't know that Washington's a lay up this weekend
against against the Raiders. I have no no action on
this game. Do you have a leaner You're gonna wait
for the quarterbacks?
Speaker 3 (23:48):
Certain, yeah, I don't know.
Speaker 1 (23:50):
It's like the COVID year. You have to wait until
Sunday morning to see who's playing, I'd stay away from it.
Speaker 5 (23:54):
Yeah, final story, Colin is to Sammy d Sam Darnold
not off to an amaze easing start statistically, but they
did get the win over the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Coming
off their victory, brock Heward broke down what made Donald
so successful against Pittsburgh.
Speaker 9 (24:12):
Sam Darnold, I think knows personnels as much as anything else.
Sam could throw it to the number, Sam could throw
it outside as well. Sam's got plenty of horsepower. You
can get those gimme hitches, you can get those go
routes on the premier. You could certainly take advantage of
things on the outside. But where's the strength of Sam's game.
Where's the strength of your personnel?
Speaker 4 (24:29):
Right now?
Speaker 9 (24:30):
Cooper Cup is amazing, amazing at feeling space between the
hashes JSN. He talked about his body control of Mike
McDonald yesterday and those areas and his short airy quickness
off the charts.
Speaker 1 (24:43):
Yeah, I like Seattle in this by. I think Seattle
is a ball knocked loose in the red zone away
from being two to zero and a heavy favorite in
Week three. So I had Seattle making the playoffs as
a wild card team. I like him in this spot.
I think the defense is really fast. I think are
really alert. I thought they totally dominated the second half
(25:03):
against Pittsburgh. I liked the coach. So I mean, you know,
let's not forget Kevin O'Connell knows quarterbacks. He tried to
re sign Donald Sam wanted to be the starter, well
paid and have nobody behind him to threaten him. Whereas
JJ mc McCarthy if Donald stayed was you know, they
(25:23):
drafted him. They gave up two picks in the first round.
Speaker 8 (25:26):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
So I mean, I think you look at that now.
I think Seattle john Snyder GM for the It's almost
like Baker to Tampa for the price tag. They got
a you know, Tampa got an a quarterback for a
B price. Seattle got a B plus quarterback for a
C plus B minus price. So there's there is value
(25:49):
if you don't have a superstar quarterback, what's the number
because you can surround it with more good players. So
I think Tampa and Seattle got breaks. They got real
value at the best position and most important position in
the sport.
Speaker 5 (26:01):
I just want to ask about this home field mystique
in Seattle. So I'm looking at the numbers here, uh
two and seven last season at home and against the
spread as a favorite one four and one, Colin I
is lumin Field that much is it's still difficult to
play in We know Legion of Boom it was.
Speaker 3 (26:20):
It was very tough.
Speaker 1 (26:20):
They were unstoppable Dame team traveling three thousand miles with
a fairly untested quarterback against a hyper aggressive, young, fast defense.
I think that's a spot for Seattle Dome team cross country.
I mean, and I think Spencer Rattler actually has talent.
I mean I think maybe New Orleans found him. I mean,
(26:41):
he always had a good arm, he always moved like
he's talented. But my take is this is not a
great spot for the Saints. Yeah. J Mack with a news,
Well that's the news, and thanks for stopping by the
Herd line. Jim Harbaud talk on the show today, Joel
Klatt had interesting point that's next.
Speaker 2 (27:01):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays
in noon Easter not am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio
FS one and the iHeartRadio.
Speaker 1 (27:10):
App almost all overnight and then when he leaves, they're
a mess. And so it's just he's a very unique personality,
and he used to be really intense, really intense. He's
lightened up noticeably the last couple of years, just in
the last year and a half two years with the Chargers.
Here's some of Jim's finer moments.
Speaker 8 (27:32):
It feels like New Year's Day, you know, it feels
like being born, feels like coming out of the womb.
You know, it's like here and there, it's comfortable, it's safe,
and now you're out and born. Light's run, it's bright.
Speaker 4 (27:47):
Tell myself, it's not just another day.
Speaker 1 (27:50):
It's two days.
Speaker 8 (27:51):
He's the opposite of a to the house plant is Field.
Speaker 4 (27:59):
Just like Field, Corn.
Speaker 8 (28:03):
Doesn't need to be talked to, and like Moses, I'm
gonna diluting on my staff. Mister Mili, you would say
Jarati yes, karaty no, you know, safe in the.
Speaker 4 (28:15):
Middle, squashed.
Speaker 8 (28:16):
I think if you also heard me say, I mean
there's not one gene in his body, I wouldn't like
immediate portray, you know, to Rigato.
Speaker 4 (28:26):
Justin Patrick Herbert.
Speaker 1 (28:30):
I also think when you have so much success, you
win a Natty at Michigan and then you you you know,
you've gotten to a super Bowl, and then you take
a job where you're familiar with the state, and you
get a great quarterback that makes it it's so hard
for like Ben Johnson, whether it works or not. Ben
Johnson's like, I'm gonna go to Chicago because the quarterback
looks pretty good. Like that's a real thing in this league.
(28:52):
It is, you know, if you don't have I mean,
that's why Urban took the Jacksonville job. I mean, you
look at it from the outside, you're like, okay, Trevor Lawrence.
You know, the only time a coach has taken a job,
maybe in the last ten years, where you're like, oh,
that's gonna work was Matt Lafleur getting Aaron Rodgers on
(29:12):
the tail end of his prime and Harbaugh getting Herbert
Like those were the two you were like, that's gonna work,
and it's gonna work. Your one, Like, that's gonna work.
Most of the time, you've got a weird owner, you know,
you've got a billionaire who's impulsive, or you don't have
a roster, you know, and even if everything's right, this
this is such a week to week league. But Matt
(29:34):
Lafleur with Aaron Harbaugh to Herbert, those work, and those
work instantly. But I mean as good as Kyle Shanahan is,
he has a losing record of Christian McCaffrey doesn't play
like it is so hard in this league to win games,
and Harbaw just does it fast, and you know, he's
(29:55):
just a very You know, it's not just a personnel thing.
Because the Chargers defense was last on league. It's first,
and they lost a Bosa. You know, it's still Derwin
James and Khalil Mack and it's a couple of young
fifth round corners and it's just you know, it's they
lost Abosa and got better. That doesn't generally happen, so
(30:15):
it all works. I asked Joe Klatt earlier about how
Harbaugh evolved.
Speaker 10 (30:19):
At Michigan after the COVID year, they struggle, he comes
back on remember that restructured deal at Michigan, and he
comes back and in twenty twenty one he came out
and like sat for a production meeting with us for
forty minutes, and I was like, what is happening. What
Jim did post COVID wasn't about football. It was about people,
(30:44):
and he became much more of a people person, even
with all of his quirks. But what never left him
was the foundational things that he believed in. From a
football perspective, I dealt with two very different Jim Harbaugh's
and the one that's coaching right now with the Chargers.
Speaker 1 (31:01):
I think we'll win the Super Bowl.
Speaker 8 (31:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (31:03):
It just he kind of lightened up a lot of people.
You know, they get older, they have some success. You know,
you sense your mortality. You're on the back nine of life,
and you start enjoying it. You know, we'll see you tomorrow.
First thing's first, coming up next
Hosts And Creators
Colin Cowherd
Jason McIntyre
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