December 24, 2025 • 34 mins
A report from the Baltimore Sun lays out how John Harbaugh has become tired of Lamar Jackson – Fox NFL analyst Mark Schlereth weighs in on the situation with the Ravens, plus the mess that Sean Peyton stepped into against the Jaguars. Maxx Crosby doesn’t want to hear about the first overall pick. Fox Sports football analyst Geoff Schwartz thinks USC is ducking Notre Dame regardless of the payoff for either side, plus previews the big matchup for Dante Moore and the Oregon Ducks against Texas Tech. Has Jaxson Dart regressed enough that taking Fernando Mendoza is on the table?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
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
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 (00:28):
Well, it took some by surprise last week when the
Broncos at home got dragged by Jacksonville. Mark Slarath covers
that team as well as anybody been doing Radio Garry
Popular showing Denver for a long time. You know we
said this is that I knew what Sean Peyton was
(00:51):
saying in regarding to small market team. It was just
like they don't get a lot of attention. Like if
you're in Chicago and you're bad, you get more attention
than in Jacksonville when you're good. Shawn stepped in it
a few times. Did you make anything of those comments
that apparently got Jacksonville all riled up?
Speaker 3 (01:06):
No, I mean you know it was.
Speaker 4 (01:08):
It was honest and and you know, I mean Liam
Collins a lot like Sean, I mean, he's a snarky
takes it personal, vindictive, you know, probably a very gracious loser,
but an absolute jerk when it comes to winning. And
you know, I resonate with that. That's exactly how I'm
wired as well. So yeah, I think that that's perfect.
(01:31):
And Liam Cohen took an exception to it, and you know,
put it on his entire team, and good for them.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
They came out here and handled their business. You know.
Speaker 4 (01:39):
And I'm probably uniquely qualified to comment on this call
him because you know, I was on a Redskins team
that won eleven Strader was on the Broncos team that
won thirteenth straight. And one of the things that happens
when you've got a winning streak like that. There's two
things really that happened. One is all those little things
that you end up overcoming.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
In a win.
Speaker 4 (01:59):
You know, Hey, man, guys, we can't have a holding
call here. That's going to cost us a game eventually.
Hey guys, this PI penalty, Hey, this procedural, this operational issue.
We lined up in the wrong formation, Eventually, that's going
to get us. Hey guys, misstackles like you miss a tackle, eventually,
that's gonna get a This busted coverage and all those
things that kind of gets swept.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Under the rug.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
You're like, oh, yeah, but we won, you know, so
you're right, you know, we can't have that holding call there.
All those things eventually come to fruition in a game
like that, and that's what cost you a game. They
probably had about one hundred yards of real estate in
mistackles alone in that game, the Broncos giving up.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
So those are the things that cost you a game,
and it's an opportunity to refocus.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
The other thing that happens calling is your locker room
clears out when you go on a run like this.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Man, it is one of the most annoying things because.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
Every week more and more national media, more and more
people want your time. They starve for your attention, and
eventually you walk into locker room and there's more reporters
and more national media in that locker room than there
are players. And then it gets you out of your routine.
You got to go hide in the training room, or
hide in the weight room, or hide somewhere else in
(03:14):
the facility, and it takes you out of your routine.
So now the Broncos will get their locker room back,
there will be less attention focused upon them.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
And that's a good thing.
Speaker 4 (03:24):
But that's kind of one of the things that happens
too that people don't really realize. When you go on
a wind streak like that, you just kind of lose
your facility and it drives you crazy as a player.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
So there's a story. Mike Preston, a respected reporter in Baltimore,
and I have said for years, a story gets out
when somebody wants it out. There's plenty of secrets in
this league that are hidden forever or thirty years. So
you know, Harbaugh's getting some heat, the Ravens are getting
some heat. Suddenly a story leaks out today, a lot
of details. Lamar Jackson falling asleep in meetings, does not
(03:57):
take criticism well, late Night Video Games, doesn't want to
practice in the morning. And for the record, hyper athletic
going to be twenty nine last year. Injuries that piled ups,
you know, six or seven different injuries last couple of years.
You know, Mark, I always had a feeling you played
with one of these guys. There's always about five or
(04:18):
six players quarterbacks in the league at any one time.
That's it that if you're a GM, you don't even
take a phone call. John lway. You know, marine you
don't dig a phone. Then there's another seven or eight
you wouldn't make a call, but you may take one.
And then there's fifteen guys. You initiate the call. You're
trying to outgrade a quarterback you had lway, you don't
(04:41):
even answer the phone. I said today, I think Lamar
with his story, has gone from the first group to
the second group, where maybe you do make a you
take a call from the Miami Dolphins of the Raiders.
I mean, that's how serious I think the story is.
Am I old little hyper here on that hyperbolic I
don't know.
Speaker 4 (05:01):
I don't think so. I mean, I think you look
at you look at your franchise. You look at how
you guys have won, how you guys have lost, how
like all the things that have gone on in that situation.
I think one of those things that you always constantly
think about is what's next for us? And you know
what wins intoday's game? And can we continue to go
down this road with a quarterback that's going to be thirty,
(05:24):
using him his legs, his athleticism on the edge to
attack defenses.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Eventually, at some point.
Speaker 4 (05:31):
He's no longer going to be able to do that
or stay healthy while doing that, and then are we
are we strapped and hamstrum by that salary. So if
you've got an opportunity and you think, hey man, it's
coming to an end, then you've got to be able
to make a decision. And sometimes you have to, let
you know, really good players leave a year or two
early just to maintain and manage your manage your you know,
(05:55):
your franchise. I think one of the things, you know,
it was interesting when I first started working for five Bucks.
I had a game after the San Francisco forty nine
ers traded for Jimmy Garoppolo, and it was one of
the first games that Jimmy Garoppolo played for the forty nine.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Ers, And so he walks into the meeting room.
Speaker 4 (06:11):
The first question I fire off right off the bat,
before you've ever introduced myself, is handsome off you Brady go?
Speaker 3 (06:17):
Who wins?
Speaker 4 (06:18):
And he went handsome he went, I went to handsome
off right there, which I was a little suspect about
because Brady is incredibly beautiful. But that said, the second
question I asked him, Colin was what did Brady teach
you about playing professional football? And he said that playing
quarterback is not a job. It is a lifestyle, and
(06:39):
you have to adhere to the lifestyle. You got to
be the first guy in, the last guy out. You've
got to deflect all the praise when you win, You've
got to accept all the blame when you lose. Like
it is a lifestyle to play quarterback at a high
level in this league. And if you're not getting that
out of him, based upon that story, and you look
at the end injuries that pile up, you look at
(07:01):
the age, you look at the dynamic nature he is
as an athlete, and you say, how much longer can
we play this way? And if you can get you know,
multiple first rounders, if you want to change the way
your organization is structured, then certainly you take those phone
calls and you listen.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Okay, So the Bears keep winning these games late. They
play the Niners this week. By the way, Niners two
days less to prepare because they played Monday night. McCaffrey
had twenty seven carries. They're oh to four the week
after he has at least twenty seven touches. So I
thought they used him too much. I thought there were
too many carries. I wouldn't have played him in the
fourth blah blah blah. But Jay Mack and I have
(07:39):
talked about this. I don't think it's luck when you
win games. Late Denver had this. I think there's a belief.
I think what happens in big situations. Sometimes teams get tight,
there's a little anxiety, and I think the more you win,
it flips and teams are like, oh, I love this.
This is what we do New England with Brady through
the years. They just so my thing is like recovering
(08:03):
me on sidekick is a little bit of a break.
But they had a great defensive stand. They had two
good offensive runs. What do you make of how the
Bears are winning? Yeah, it's been incredible.
Speaker 4 (08:15):
One their control line of forms are running the ball
and that always takes the pressure off of you.
Speaker 3 (08:21):
But I think the thing as I watched the Bears,
that just blows me away.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Like I knew when.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
People talked about Caleb Williams being a generational talent, you know,
I knew that he was athletic, but I don't think
I knew how athletics he was until I watched him play.
When things break down, his ability to manipulate the pocket.
His ability to extend and keep plays a lot, and
then his arm talent is supreme.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
Now is he is he a final product yet?
Speaker 4 (08:48):
Is he a finished product where he can operate from
the pocket and he can do the boring well, No,
he can't. That's not his forte as of yet. That
will continue to grow like it does with all young quarterbacks.
But his ability to be off schedule and do special
things off schedule is amazing. And I think the other
thing that ends up happening to young quarterbacks who come
(09:09):
from college right and are used to playing a little
bit more off schedule football is that when you get
behind all of a sudden, when you are in up tempo,
no huddle football, it is more off schedule instead of
being what I always call seventy to thirty to win
in this league is seventy percent of time you just
got to be on schedule. You've got to do the
(09:30):
boring well, thirty percent of time things break down. Well,
that's not where he's best. He's best at more fifty
to fifty ball, right, And I think that's one of
the things that happens is you get into these no
huddle situations, the uptempo things. It limits and shrinks your playbook,
the plays you're going to call, so you're a little
bit more familiar, a little bit you have a little
(09:50):
bit better feel for those plays. And then it allows
you to do what you do best, and that's to
be an athlete. And I think that's why we see
the Bears making these dramatic comebacks. And that game, what
was it Saturday night against Green Bay was absolutely phenomenal.
What an unreal finish to that game.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
Okay, they're not a high profile team, but you had
the Bucks and the Panthers last week and I thought
Bryce Young out played Baker. If you're the GM, if
you're Dan Morgan to Carolina, sharp guy, you give him
that fifth year option? What do you make of Bryce Young?
Speaker 5 (10:23):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (10:24):
I would bring him back on that fifth year. I
wouldn't sign him to a long term deal. You know,
I might make him go prove it to me again
next year and then maybe franchise him. You've got those
things ate your disposal. But the bottom line I've done
a lot of Carolina games, Colin is do I think
Bryce Young is a franchise quarterback?
Speaker 6 (10:41):
No?
Speaker 3 (10:41):
I don't. But has he improved every year?
Speaker 5 (10:44):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (10:45):
But you know, you look at his improvement, he went
from just under sixty percent to sixty one percent. He's
completing sixty three percent of the balls right now. But
I've always felt like if they don't run the ball well,
then he's not going to lift that team up and
carry them to a victory. And he kind of did
that against Tampa Bay. Twelve seconds left in the second half,
(11:06):
man they bring zero blitz, which is you know, a
Tampa Bay Todd bulls stable, and he hits ceaal mcmillann
for a big touchdown down the left hand sideline, and
then all of a sudden, the last drive, he gets
another blitz, hits Jalen Poker down the right hand sideline
for a big forty yard game and they kicked the
game winning field goal and their defense gets to stop.
(11:29):
So like, he just keeps improving and essentially keeps proving
people wrong. And I tell you what, operationally, he's big.
He's just not a big you know, he's just not
a big, strapping physical guy. So I think there's some
limitations in the pockets and in the pocket and all
those things that make you question whether he could be
(11:50):
kind of about franchise quarterback moving forward.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
Yeah, I love what you said about Brady and the Garoppolo.
Quarterback is a lifestyle that is really a fascinating quote
and it's Mark Schlareth. Love seeing you. Marry Christmas to
your amazing family, my friend and all your kids and
all your relatives. Great dad, You're one of the good
guys in the business. I'm very happy for all your success.
(12:13):
Merry Christmas.
Speaker 3 (12:14):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (12:15):
Call Merry Christmas to you and yours as well. Love you, brother,
and we'll talk to you soon.
Speaker 7 (12:19):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
He worked at the other place in this place and
just a great teammate and he just keeps crushing. Yeah,
I mean it really is. That's the thing about Kyler Murray.
The criticism was, you know, I always said this is that,
like I was talking about Pro Bowl quarterbacks and leadership,
Jay Cutler had Pro Bowl quarterback. He could have been
a six time Pro Bowler. I didn't think he was
a great leader. I didn't think he galvanized guys. There's
(12:42):
a lot of different things that go in to quarterback,
and one of them is are you kind of obsessed
with it? Jay Glazer talks about this, are you obsessed
with the sport. No, okay, okay, I need guys that
are especially at certain positions.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd Weekdays
and Noonie There nine am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio
FS one and the iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 8 (13:05):
Pauli Fools goheare with Tony Foosco. Yeah, as everybody knows,
we're the hosts of the award winning Polly and Toni
Foosco Show.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (13:12):
But instead of us telling you how great we are,
here's how Dan Packrick described us when he came on
our show.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
Quick, knowledgeable and funny, opinionated.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
What what are you doing interrupting our promo?
Speaker 8 (13:23):
Yeah, you wasn't talking about you.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
You took those clips totally out of context. Oh yeah,
Well after this promo, I'm gonna take you out and
beat you.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
Let me put this into context.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
Shut up.
Speaker 8 (13:35):
Yeah, anyway, just listen to the Paully and Tony Fusco
Show on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
Yee Jmack with the news.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
On the news.
Speaker 2 (13:48):
This is the Herdline news er.
Speaker 7 (13:51):
Let's revisit this Baltimore Suns story on Lamar Jackson. It
is gonna be the story Gajure this NFL offseason. Some
of the quotes from the article in the Baltimore Sun.
A major problem, a lot of it on the Ravens
is that there are team rules and then there are.
Speaker 8 (14:07):
Rules for Jackson.
Speaker 7 (14:09):
Once the Ravens become critical of Jackson, he becomes more withdrawn.
It's clear that coach John Harbaugh has become tired of Jackson. Now,
don't make this a shoot the messenger. Okay, everybody's been
able to see this has been building up all season.
We know two years ago when Lamar got the extension,
it was very contagious.
Speaker 8 (14:27):
I'm not contagious. It was contentious. I'm sorry those two.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
Were going at it.
Speaker 7 (14:31):
Remember he wanted the Deshaun Watson fully guaranteed, and they're like,
we're not doing that. He got a very lucrative deal,
Colin It spikes this offseason, twenty.
Speaker 8 (14:40):
Four percent of the cap is what Lamar will chew out.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
Is that is brutal.
Speaker 3 (14:43):
I mean, he's earned it.
Speaker 8 (14:45):
He's a two time MVP.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
I get that.
Speaker 8 (14:47):
But at the same time, you.
Speaker 7 (14:48):
Can't build a roster around there's no path to fixing
the offensive line. Magically, there's questions about Derrick Henry. The
defense was pretty toothless. I mean, you watched Drake maygo
up and down the field and their most pivot game
of the season.
Speaker 8 (15:01):
There was like they couldn't stop Drake Bay. I don't know, man,
this is gonna be fascinating.
Speaker 1 (15:06):
Yeah, And I think when you know, when stuff leaks
from legitimate reporters, this is somebody that covers the team.
When you cover a team and you have to face
the music and face the athletes you criticize, it's not easy.
That's why a lot of local reporters, a lot of
them don't have the courage. They have to walk into
that locker room every day. It's easy for me. I'm
(15:28):
not in the locker rooms, right, so to report this stuff,
it's got to be buttoned up and right. Yeah, yell
on screen, but it's got to be buttoned up.
Speaker 7 (15:36):
I was at the combine back when I was with
the website, the big lead, and somebody smart I was like, oh,
is there a rebuild coming? They're like, remember, the best
time to rebuild is last year. Okay, Ravens fans can
talk themselves into maybe, hey, Lamar comes back, he's healthy.
You know, we got this next year and then we
could talk about no no, no, no no. Then he's
(15:57):
going to be thirty. You know the injury history, Colin,
I think they got to make a move this offseason.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
Well, I think you definitely take calls. You know what
if you're Miami. Let's say you're Miami or the Raiders
now and now both are paying two and Gino, so
Paul are paying a quarterback. So if you're paying Lamar
and a quarterback and you're giving up draft capital, it
is a huge, huge swing. Ideally, my take is there's
(16:23):
somebody else who is a team in the NFL, but's
that needs juice at quarterback. It has cap space next year.
Now me start looking at it. Find a team that
you're like, man, because with Gino and Tua, can you
pay that and Lamar Jackson that's tough. So find a team.
Speaker 8 (16:44):
Well, the Raiders are the one that make the most sense.
They're going to have a top three pick, maybe number one.
Speaker 7 (16:49):
And then you've got the decision do you want to
start something with Mendoza in the desert or do you
want to bring in Lamar and hey we make the
jump insta.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
I would do Mendoza.
Speaker 7 (16:57):
Well, the problem with that is how long is it
going to take you guys to overtake the Chargers, Broncos
and Chiefs. Well, now with Lamar instantly, you're competitive, right.
The problem is like, well, brock Bowers and Lamar is
a good combo. Ashton gent.
Speaker 8 (17:11):
You know you've got a couple pieces. Colton Miller should
return this week. The left tackle.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
The Miami the Miami Dolphins piece is really interesting.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
But what do you do?
Speaker 7 (17:22):
Nobody where you gonna find a taker for Tua? Are
you gonna dump him in then take the cap hit.
I don't think you could build a team taking the
to a.
Speaker 1 (17:31):
Dead cap money, and I mean bringing on the Baltimore
may have to swallow some of the Lamar deal, but
if they draft the quarterback again. Denver swallowed a ton
of Russell Wilson cap hit, but bo Nicks was free,
so they could deal with. If you nail the quarterback
in the draft, then it's fine. If you have to
pay some of half of Lamar's contract, so it's like
twelve percent of your caphit, you're like, yikes, but you
(17:53):
draft somebody in the twentieth place, Ty Simpson from Bama.
He starts and you're not paying him anything for four years.
So Denver got through it by drafting well and getting
a star quarterback or high end quarterback. There's ways a
lot of this cap you can you can mark, you
can manipulate your way around it, and it really helps
if you have a great draft.
Speaker 7 (18:15):
I mean, Arizona Cardinals could be interesting. He doesn't want
to play there though, Well we don't know that yet.
I mean, Arizona's a great, very good tax estate. You're
big on the taxes. Save some money there, warm Weather.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
I mean Vegas is zero and Miami's zero state tac
That's that's better than as I think Arizona is six
percent or something like that.
Speaker 8 (18:37):
Man, all right, let's move on.
Speaker 7 (18:38):
Actually, let's go to the Raiders colin interesting game this
weekend against the Giants. They're calling it the toilet Bowl
Giants Raiders. Its opposite Packers, and I'm sorry not Packers.
It's opposite Eagles Bills, which is the game of the week.
But there is an interesting angle here. It's basically for
the number one pick, and everybody's talking about tanking this weekend. Hey,
(19:00):
don't mention that to Max Crosby. He does not care.
Speaker 6 (19:04):
Yeah, I don't get about the Pig. To be honest,
I don't play for that. I don't That's not my job.
My job is be the best defensive end in the
world and that's what I focus on every day, and
being a great leader and being an influence and being
a you know, being that guy on a consistent basis
for my team.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
I love that guy. By the way, Arizona state tax
two and a half percent in my bed. Don't drive
off the road if you're in Scottsdale. I love Max
Crosby so much.
Speaker 8 (19:32):
Who you got in this one?
Speaker 6 (19:33):
Colin?
Speaker 1 (19:38):
Probably the Giants.
Speaker 8 (19:39):
So I haven't bet on the Raiders.
Speaker 7 (19:40):
I don't think all season that's not This might be
the spot, Okay, I don't know.
Speaker 1 (19:46):
I mean there's not a lot, so I try not
to bet on games I don't want to watch because
it's just I have to sit there last week and
watch the Vikings Giants for three and a half hours.
Speaker 3 (19:58):
Oh it was.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
I literally called the Dennis and said, can you get
me in on a Sunday? I'd rather do that brutal.
Speaker 7 (20:04):
We'll see call the Colton Miller get back is big.
I think the Raiders are trying. We watch them against
the Texans. Oh, I don't think the Giants are any good.
And by the way, this one set up the Giants
with the number one pick. And then remember the Giants
fan base loves Jackson Dart.
Speaker 8 (20:20):
They're all in on him. He's a cool guy. Colin.
Speaker 7 (20:22):
Remember the GMA. That's a guy I saw my job
and it sets up like do you what do you
do with Dart? Mendoza fun story out of New York.
He can always find good angles in the NFL. All right,
let's wrap up before Christmas with this one, Colin, we're
giving you a nice little present here. With Aaron Rodgers,
I've been very critical of Rogers. He's delivered and this
play that he did against the Lions right before the half,
(20:45):
the touchdown bomb to Kenneth Gainwell.
Speaker 8 (20:46):
Listen to the audio.
Speaker 7 (20:47):
It's pretty Awesome's side this side, flat to the right,
watching all the way out, run to go all out.
Speaker 1 (21:03):
Roger's office. Back foot throws it down the way and
look at dating Well he thinks he has a touchdown.
Speaker 5 (21:11):
He got him, He got him, he got it.
Speaker 7 (21:17):
And display was spectacular. Sorry, if your Aaron, just go
out there and run a run a go route. He
basically test said, this is what we're doing and how
did the Lions still let it happen? And again, I've
never played linebacker in the NFL, but if I hear
that it's the end of the half, it's like.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
Well, you're in a loud stadium. You're in a loud
stadium sometimes. And by the way, now I have to
communicate it as a mic linebacker out to the corner
and the ball snap. So Aaron's like, do a go route?
Do a go on hike? Boom? How much time do
you have the track? Hey, left corner, He's gonna run
a go route. So Aaron says it. And the way
(21:53):
he said it was werena go route, go to a
go route.
Speaker 3 (21:56):
Boom.
Speaker 7 (21:56):
That was a huge play. They gave up a touchdown
there late. I mean, that was just devastating.
Speaker 8 (22:01):
I'll add this.
Speaker 7 (22:02):
Kenneth Gainwall has been freaking awesome. Oh yeah for the
Pittsburgh Steelers, and you know the Eagles had him. And
once the quarterback gets paid, the Jalen hurts you, Hey,
we've got to prepare for this. We don't want to
lose on the old line running back Depp goodbye, and
now you lose Gamewell and ten things. He's good, but
they had to trade for him.
Speaker 8 (22:18):
Remember, because Will Shipley was the backup.
Speaker 7 (22:21):
He gets hurt and so again, these quarterback salaries really
ding depth and it's been a huge.
Speaker 8 (22:28):
Get for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nice job by the GM there.
Speaker 1 (22:32):
J mckle the news.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
Well that's the news, and thanks for stopping by the
Herd Line News.
Speaker 1 (22:38):
The seven biggest games of the college football season are
around the corner. Jeff Schwartz, formerly as you know, a
former Oregon Duck nfler, is going to be joining us,
plus some NFL stuff to discuss next.
Speaker 2 (22:54):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays
in noon Easter nine am Pacific on Fox Sports Rates
one and the iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
I'm all fired up for Jeff Schwartz our love of
college football. Okay, so I get a lot of heat.
Let's bring in Jeff Schwartz, Fox Sports analysts, former NFL
offensive lineman Oregon Duck. So I said, I still can't
believe that USC fans are okay with Notre Dame having
(23:23):
a side deal with a tournament, Notre Dame being a
partial member of a conference, Notre Dame being able to
manipulate byes before their game with the USC. Much easier
when you're a partial member of a conference with a
much weaker schedule. And USC fans are like, sure, yeah,
(23:43):
we'll play it whenever you want. I'm like USC fans,
you actually me, it's unbelievable. The USC fans are just
like giving Notre Dame side deals, will play whenever. But
maybe I'm wrong on that. How do you see it?
Speaker 5 (23:58):
Okay, all those things are true.
Speaker 9 (24:00):
Memorandum of understanding is bad, Like I can't believe that
people signed that the not Dad gets to be in
if they're top twelve team. All the things are true,
but us he's won out of this for a couple
of years now, right, like they've won out of this game.
Speaker 5 (24:10):
They got out of this game.
Speaker 9 (24:12):
Look, USC fans love to talk about the Pete Carroll
years or twenty years ago. They loved talking about it.
What did Pete Carroll do though? He's scheduled tough? Right,
just to win championships, you got to schedule these games, right.
They went to I think DC off the time I
had played Vigia Tech, right, went to Arkansas and they
smoked those teams, but they scheduled tough.
Speaker 3 (24:28):
Look at what Notre Dame or.
Speaker 9 (24:29):
Miami, r A and m did to all play chart
of the season. And they're ducking a game that they've
been losing. And there's many reasons for that, and some
of you mentioned and USC has their reasons and Notre
Dame has their reasons, but the fact is they're canceling
a game that has only missed World Wars and COVID
Otherwise they played every year.
Speaker 5 (24:46):
And look, let's be honest.
Speaker 9 (24:47):
If USC was competitive in these games, they would play them, right,
it would help their resume to beat Notre Dame. But
in the end, all things have about Irish are true.
They need to join a conference. I can't believe again,
did they get this preferential deal where they basically to
be in the top twelve. I mean, there's a scenario
where USC could beat them, be ranked higher than them,
and then not go to playoff because the top twelve,
(25:10):
which are yes, that's silly to me.
Speaker 1 (25:13):
Yeah. And here's the other thing. When Pete Carroll was
the coach, if you won the Pac twelve, which was
awful during Pete Carroll's run, it was the weakest it's been,
you were you could play for a Natty. Now you've got,
they're in the Big Ten, which is a much better conference,
and you also now go into a playoff. So to me,
I understand your argument. But all these guys going back
(25:34):
to the old days, Jeff, the world has changed. Is
that Nick Saban refused to go on the road his
last ten years for an out of conference game. You
played in Tuscaloosa or it was neutral. Nick is like,
I'm not gonna go on. I don't even care if
it's like an kind of a top twenty program. So
I think Saban was the first and nobody called him scared,
(25:57):
and they would have probably won those games. But Nick's
take was, when you're playing NFL bodies for twelve weeks,
I'm not adding another group of great players.
Speaker 9 (26:06):
Look, I think the difference here too is that US
doesn't have that cachet at the moment that Nick Saban did,
right obviously, because they haven't won at that level. And
I think people look at link at Riley's program right
now and question at times the toughness and the physicality.
And then you're ducking a game against the team that
you need to tie it to sort of beat to
win championships, right, you need to beat a team like
(26:27):
Notre Dame to win a championship, just that style of play, right,
you have to do that potential over three or four weeks.
So I think Nick Saban has a different argument because
they were winning championships, us he hasn't gone there now.
Speaker 5 (26:37):
Maybe not playing Notre Dame and putting someone else, and we'll.
Speaker 9 (26:40):
Get USC to ten and two and a big you
can finish, tend to in a big ten, you're probably
a playoff team, and then you could prove all the
doubters wrong if you get a playoff spot.
Speaker 1 (26:49):
Yeah, I have a good sourcer to at USC, and
I think their feeling was will play you. But our
core class schedule of trigonometry, chemistry and physics is a
lot tougher than yours of basket weaving and wood shop
and jim. So if we're gonna if you take schedules
and look at Notre Dames next year, it's embarrassing and
(27:10):
Notre Dame knows it, it's awful. Toughest game is Miami
at home. They'll be favored double digits in almost every game.
So I think what USC felt is, Okay, let's look
at our schedules like core classes ours USC, Ohio State, Oregon,
Washington at Penn State, and India. We'll play you. We're
(27:31):
not playing you in the middle of our physics midterm.
We'll do week zero. That to me is a way
because I don't think US and C said no. I
think they said, Okay, you have a side deal, you
have a weaker schedule. It's gotta be on our terms.
Isn't that realistic?
Speaker 9 (27:52):
Well they certainly, they certainly said that, right. I mean,
then the week zero thing is not actually possible based
on the rules of scheduling, like you have to have
a Hawaii g or some sort of weird situation of
play week zero. And USC has been better and neally
can Riley earn the season as well, So if you
get the opportunity to play them in the year, certainly
benefits USC more than it benefits Nord name, So I
get the argument why USC would would would want.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
To do that.
Speaker 9 (28:14):
Look, I think if both teams wanted to make it
happen calling it probably still gets done, right, I mean,
it just does. And neither team wanted to budge on
what they wanted this relationship, and now it's off for
a little bit and maybe never comes back.
Speaker 5 (28:27):
I don't know.
Speaker 9 (28:29):
We'll see obviously how it goes this year and whether
it affects either of the team's. Look, the Irish schedule is, look,
their name has to join a conference, right like, they
have the best situation of anyone where they have to
join a conference, don't have to play conference championship game,
which seems to not matter anyways towards rankings, and then
also get this deal with it to finish in the
top twelve with the schedule you mentioned. Look BYU should
be difficult to play at on the road, but eleven
(28:50):
and one gets you a playoff spot, right, So they
have at the best of both worlds. I still think
USC shouldn't duck them, but I get both arguments.
Speaker 1 (28:58):
Okay, Oregon Texas Tech, I think they're I think it's
upset alert. Do you.
Speaker 5 (29:04):
Uh No, I think we'll be okay.
Speaker 9 (29:08):
So here's here's my thing about about Oregon at the moment,
but also playing a team a Texas Tech is that
Technik has just not seen Organ's offense. There's no no
one on their schedules like Organs offense. Now you could
put on ASU's film because of Kenny Dillingham, and that's
sort of what you might see Oregon do, but no
one else season just tried to run directly at Texas Tech.
Speaker 5 (29:28):
Right in the middle they have.
Speaker 9 (29:29):
Their edges are great height, Bailey Rodriguez, it Will Windbacker.
Those guys are absolutely studs.
Speaker 5 (29:34):
They are dudes.
Speaker 9 (29:35):
But the middle of their team sort of no one
really tried that. There are opportunities to throw deep. Arizona
State showed that, and just Texta hasn't played a defense,
an offense like organized thelipside. Organism played probably a defense
like them since they played Indiana. They did play Penn State.
Still a good defense, I was still a good defense.
And then one thing on the other side is look,
Organ's defense this year has been great. Don't take the
(29:57):
third quarter of the GMU game and take seriously before
they play GMU, every single team they face scored under
what they do.
Speaker 5 (30:06):
Their yardage were under their average.
Speaker 9 (30:09):
And one thing I think benefits Organ's defense in this
game is Texas Tech has a sort of a stationaring quarterback.
We struggle stopping quarterbacks that run, which a lot of
teams do. By the way, it's nothing new. So I like,
I think our team's really good man. I like our chances.
I think it's a really close game. We've handled adversity
well all season. We're healthier now, which is hugely important,
specially offensively. Give me a great game. I think a
(30:29):
low scoring game, a controlled environment for both teams, just
trying not do too much, not make mistakes, can't turn
the ball over. Texas Tech number one the country in
field position because their defense sets them up in good spots.
Speaker 1 (30:40):
I got to touch on this. Jackson Dart has regressed
the last three weeks. People got film. He's been banged up.
If the Giants get the number one pick and can
take Fernando Mendoz, their fans are outraged by the suggestion.
You should think about it. What would you do, Giants, GM,
you get the number one pick, what would you do?
Speaker 7 (31:00):
Man?
Speaker 9 (31:02):
I mean, Mendoza plays a style of football that's gonna
keep him healthier. I know Giants fans hate that discussion,
but it is true.
Speaker 2 (31:10):
Right.
Speaker 9 (31:11):
He is a he is excellent in the pocket. He's
gonna throw the balls as quick as possible. He's gonna
find the open guy. He's not gonna move like Dart,
which I think you sort of need in today's game though,
Like that's sort of the question.
Speaker 5 (31:22):
But Dart has all the physical skills.
Speaker 7 (31:23):
Man, I.
Speaker 9 (31:26):
The Giants have so many holes in their roster they
might not be like a Mendoza away from being good. Yeah,
and can can use those draft picks to help Jackson
Dart this game. This weekend's further number one pick, right,
Raiders Giants. I'm curious to see if look taking is
not an actual thing that happens on Sunday, except like
(31:47):
one time it does a year maybe. And I'm curious
to see if either team rock Power is not playing right.
I'm curious if either team sort of kicks the field
goal punch the ball here. But to be fair, like
the Giants coaching stuff doesn't care if they have the
first pick, they won't be there. That's also part of tanking, right,
Like the staff has to want to lose the game.
My captains are not gonna want to lose the games
coaching for his job or for his future. So kind
(32:09):
of curious to see how that one goes this weekend.
Speaker 1 (32:11):
Hey, fun fact, I got to mention this. Jeff Schwartz
is facing Jaymack in the Fox Sports Fantasy Football Championship. Yes,
and anybody that watches this show knows that Jamack has
likes to insert it about four times a week, so
I'm rooting for. I mean, I hate to say this
to Jmax, but he'll be impossible to deal with if
(32:34):
he wins it. He needs to be humbled. So I
want an overtime thriller. But Jeff good luck on that.
Speaker 8 (32:40):
Jeff has a quarterback issue, so do I.
Speaker 7 (32:42):
He has Kim Ward, Yes, Kim Ward, and I've got
Justin Herbert against the Texans, so it's not looking great
for me.
Speaker 8 (32:48):
Yeah, I don't know who else. I got Kirk Cousins
on my bench, Jeff? Should I go to Kirk Cousins?
Speaker 5 (32:54):
Out of all things I care about?
Speaker 9 (32:56):
Football wise, I hate to admit it, but fantasy football
is at the very very bottom up and so beating
j Max, who tears a lot. I didn't know we
were in the playoffs till till a text two weeks
ago said hey, Schwartz, you're looking to upset the number
one seed.
Speaker 5 (33:08):
So I was like, great, So now I'm all in.
Though I'm all in this week. I mean the money,
just for the money.
Speaker 8 (33:12):
Now figures cowhard? There's this isn't some change here?
Speaker 5 (33:16):
Yeah?
Speaker 8 (33:16):
Looking forward to it?
Speaker 1 (33:18):
Okay, you too, can't wait. Jeff Schwartz, Fox Sports.
Speaker 5 (33:22):
Good seeing you, buddy, take care of Thank you guys.
Have a good holiday, all right.
Speaker 3 (33:25):
You two?
Speaker 5 (33:27):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (33:27):
I mean he paused on the Mendoza thing. He's like,
oh boy, this is tough because Mendoz is big, sits
in the pocket, gets rid of the ball quick. He's
not going to be in the blue tent?
Speaker 7 (33:36):
Are you? Are you noticing this some guys, some of
these draft analysts are lukewarm on Mendoza. Colin and I'm
starting to see I got a bone to pick with
our guy, Daniel Jeremiah.
Speaker 5 (33:46):
He is like him.
Speaker 3 (33:47):
I mean he's not.
Speaker 8 (33:48):
He's not like he's the number one lock and I'm like,
I don't. I just don't get what are we missing out?
Speaker 1 (33:54):
Well, he's not. He's not a run around guy and
everybody likes mobility. He's a big, strong kid. I will
say this, I really like him. Somebody I talked to
likes him. He thinks he's the best quarterback, but he
doesn't love him. He's like he's there. He's like, he
doesn't have Caleb's talent. He doesn't think okay, he said
he is not as good a prospect as Drake.
Speaker 2 (34:16):
May That's what I was.
Speaker 1 (34:18):
Yeah, so much fun, so much fun. Merry Christmas, everybody,
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 1 (00:28):
Well, it took some by surprise last week when the
Broncos at home got dragged by Jacksonville. Mark Slarath covers
that team as well as anybody been doing Radio Garry
Popular showing Denver for a long time. You know we
said this is that I knew what Sean Peyton was
(00:51):
saying in regarding to small market team. It was just
like they don't get a lot of attention. Like if
you're in Chicago and you're bad, you get more attention
than in Jacksonville when you're good. Shawn stepped in it
a few times. Did you make anything of those comments
that apparently got Jacksonville all riled up?
Speaker 3 (01:06):
No, I mean you know it was.
Speaker 4 (01:08):
It was honest and and you know, I mean Liam
Collins a lot like Sean, I mean, he's a snarky
takes it personal, vindictive, you know, probably a very gracious loser,
but an absolute jerk when it comes to winning. And
you know, I resonate with that. That's exactly how I'm
wired as well. So yeah, I think that that's perfect.
(01:31):
And Liam Cohen took an exception to it, and you know,
put it on his entire team, and good for them.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
They came out here and handled their business. You know.
Speaker 4 (01:39):
And I'm probably uniquely qualified to comment on this call
him because you know, I was on a Redskins team
that won eleven Strader was on the Broncos team that
won thirteenth straight. And one of the things that happens
when you've got a winning streak like that. There's two
things really that happened. One is all those little things
that you end up overcoming.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
In a win.
Speaker 4 (01:59):
You know, Hey, man, guys, we can't have a holding
call here. That's going to cost us a game eventually.
Hey guys, this PI penalty, Hey, this procedural, this operational issue.
We lined up in the wrong formation, Eventually, that's going
to get us. Hey guys, misstackles like you miss a tackle, eventually,
that's gonna get a This busted coverage and all those
things that kind of gets swept.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Under the rug.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
You're like, oh, yeah, but we won, you know, so
you're right, you know, we can't have that holding call there.
All those things eventually come to fruition in a game
like that, and that's what cost you a game. They
probably had about one hundred yards of real estate in
mistackles alone in that game, the Broncos giving up.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
So those are the things that cost you a game,
and it's an opportunity to refocus.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
The other thing that happens calling is your locker room
clears out when you go on a run like this.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Man, it is one of the most annoying things because.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
Every week more and more national media, more and more
people want your time. They starve for your attention, and
eventually you walk into locker room and there's more reporters
and more national media in that locker room than there
are players. And then it gets you out of your routine.
You got to go hide in the training room, or
hide in the weight room, or hide somewhere else in
(03:14):
the facility, and it takes you out of your routine.
So now the Broncos will get their locker room back,
there will be less attention focused upon them.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
And that's a good thing.
Speaker 4 (03:24):
But that's kind of one of the things that happens
too that people don't really realize. When you go on
a wind streak like that, you just kind of lose
your facility and it drives you crazy as a player.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
So there's a story. Mike Preston, a respected reporter in Baltimore,
and I have said for years, a story gets out
when somebody wants it out. There's plenty of secrets in
this league that are hidden forever or thirty years. So
you know, Harbaugh's getting some heat, the Ravens are getting
some heat. Suddenly a story leaks out today, a lot
of details. Lamar Jackson falling asleep in meetings, does not
(03:57):
take criticism well, late Night Video Games, doesn't want to
practice in the morning. And for the record, hyper athletic
going to be twenty nine last year. Injuries that piled ups,
you know, six or seven different injuries last couple of years.
You know, Mark, I always had a feeling you played
with one of these guys. There's always about five or
(04:18):
six players quarterbacks in the league at any one time.
That's it that if you're a GM, you don't even
take a phone call. John lway. You know, marine you
don't dig a phone. Then there's another seven or eight
you wouldn't make a call, but you may take one.
And then there's fifteen guys. You initiate the call. You're
trying to outgrade a quarterback you had lway, you don't
(04:41):
even answer the phone. I said today, I think Lamar
with his story, has gone from the first group to
the second group, where maybe you do make a you
take a call from the Miami Dolphins of the Raiders.
I mean, that's how serious I think the story is.
Am I old little hyper here on that hyperbolic I
don't know.
Speaker 4 (05:01):
I don't think so. I mean, I think you look
at you look at your franchise. You look at how
you guys have won, how you guys have lost, how
like all the things that have gone on in that situation.
I think one of those things that you always constantly
think about is what's next for us? And you know
what wins intoday's game? And can we continue to go
down this road with a quarterback that's going to be thirty,
(05:24):
using him his legs, his athleticism on the edge to
attack defenses.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Eventually, at some point.
Speaker 4 (05:31):
He's no longer going to be able to do that
or stay healthy while doing that, and then are we
are we strapped and hamstrum by that salary. So if
you've got an opportunity and you think, hey man, it's
coming to an end, then you've got to be able
to make a decision. And sometimes you have to, let
you know, really good players leave a year or two
early just to maintain and manage your manage your you know,
(05:55):
your franchise. I think one of the things, you know,
it was interesting when I first started working for five Bucks.
I had a game after the San Francisco forty nine
ers traded for Jimmy Garoppolo, and it was one of
the first games that Jimmy Garoppolo played for the forty nine.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Ers, And so he walks into the meeting room.
Speaker 4 (06:11):
The first question I fire off right off the bat,
before you've ever introduced myself, is handsome off you Brady go?
Speaker 3 (06:17):
Who wins?
Speaker 4 (06:18):
And he went handsome he went, I went to handsome
off right there, which I was a little suspect about
because Brady is incredibly beautiful. But that said, the second
question I asked him, Colin was what did Brady teach
you about playing professional football? And he said that playing
quarterback is not a job. It is a lifestyle, and
(06:39):
you have to adhere to the lifestyle. You got to
be the first guy in, the last guy out. You've
got to deflect all the praise when you win, You've
got to accept all the blame when you lose. Like
it is a lifestyle to play quarterback at a high
level in this league. And if you're not getting that
out of him, based upon that story, and you look
at the end injuries that pile up, you look at
(07:01):
the age, you look at the dynamic nature he is
as an athlete, and you say, how much longer can
we play this way? And if you can get you know,
multiple first rounders, if you want to change the way
your organization is structured, then certainly you take those phone
calls and you listen.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Okay, So the Bears keep winning these games late. They
play the Niners this week. By the way, Niners two
days less to prepare because they played Monday night. McCaffrey
had twenty seven carries. They're oh to four the week
after he has at least twenty seven touches. So I
thought they used him too much. I thought there were
too many carries. I wouldn't have played him in the
fourth blah blah blah. But Jay Mack and I have
(07:39):
talked about this. I don't think it's luck when you
win games. Late Denver had this. I think there's a belief.
I think what happens in big situations. Sometimes teams get tight,
there's a little anxiety, and I think the more you win,
it flips and teams are like, oh, I love this.
This is what we do New England with Brady through
the years. They just so my thing is like recovering
(08:03):
me on sidekick is a little bit of a break.
But they had a great defensive stand. They had two
good offensive runs. What do you make of how the
Bears are winning? Yeah, it's been incredible.
Speaker 4 (08:15):
One their control line of forms are running the ball
and that always takes the pressure off of you.
Speaker 3 (08:21):
But I think the thing as I watched the Bears,
that just blows me away.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Like I knew when.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
People talked about Caleb Williams being a generational talent, you know,
I knew that he was athletic, but I don't think
I knew how athletics he was until I watched him play.
When things break down, his ability to manipulate the pocket.
His ability to extend and keep plays a lot, and
then his arm talent is supreme.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
Now is he is he a final product yet?
Speaker 4 (08:48):
Is he a finished product where he can operate from
the pocket and he can do the boring well, No,
he can't. That's not his forte as of yet. That
will continue to grow like it does with all young quarterbacks.
But his ability to be off schedule and do special
things off schedule is amazing. And I think the other
thing that ends up happening to young quarterbacks who come
(09:09):
from college right and are used to playing a little
bit more off schedule football is that when you get
behind all of a sudden, when you are in up tempo,
no huddle football, it is more off schedule instead of
being what I always call seventy to thirty to win
in this league is seventy percent of time you just
got to be on schedule. You've got to do the
(09:30):
boring well, thirty percent of time things break down. Well,
that's not where he's best. He's best at more fifty
to fifty ball, right, And I think that's one of
the things that happens is you get into these no
huddle situations, the uptempo things. It limits and shrinks your playbook,
the plays you're going to call, so you're a little
bit more familiar, a little bit you have a little
(09:50):
bit better feel for those plays. And then it allows
you to do what you do best, and that's to
be an athlete. And I think that's why we see
the Bears making these dramatic comebacks. And that game, what
was it Saturday night against Green Bay was absolutely phenomenal.
What an unreal finish to that game.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
Okay, they're not a high profile team, but you had
the Bucks and the Panthers last week and I thought
Bryce Young out played Baker. If you're the GM, if
you're Dan Morgan to Carolina, sharp guy, you give him
that fifth year option? What do you make of Bryce Young?
Speaker 5 (10:23):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (10:24):
I would bring him back on that fifth year. I
wouldn't sign him to a long term deal. You know,
I might make him go prove it to me again
next year and then maybe franchise him. You've got those
things ate your disposal. But the bottom line I've done
a lot of Carolina games, Colin is do I think
Bryce Young is a franchise quarterback?
Speaker 6 (10:41):
No?
Speaker 3 (10:41):
I don't. But has he improved every year?
Speaker 5 (10:44):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (10:45):
But you know, you look at his improvement, he went
from just under sixty percent to sixty one percent. He's
completing sixty three percent of the balls right now. But
I've always felt like if they don't run the ball well,
then he's not going to lift that team up and
carry them to a victory. And he kind of did
that against Tampa Bay. Twelve seconds left in the second half,
(11:06):
man they bring zero blitz, which is you know, a
Tampa Bay Todd bulls stable, and he hits ceaal mcmillann
for a big touchdown down the left hand sideline, and
then all of a sudden, the last drive, he gets
another blitz, hits Jalen Poker down the right hand sideline
for a big forty yard game and they kicked the
game winning field goal and their defense gets to stop.
(11:29):
So like, he just keeps improving and essentially keeps proving
people wrong. And I tell you what, operationally, he's big.
He's just not a big you know, he's just not
a big, strapping physical guy. So I think there's some
limitations in the pockets and in the pocket and all
those things that make you question whether he could be
(11:50):
kind of about franchise quarterback moving forward.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
Yeah, I love what you said about Brady and the Garoppolo.
Quarterback is a lifestyle that is really a fascinating quote
and it's Mark Schlareth. Love seeing you. Marry Christmas to
your amazing family, my friend and all your kids and
all your relatives. Great dad, You're one of the good
guys in the business. I'm very happy for all your success.
(12:13):
Merry Christmas.
Speaker 3 (12:14):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (12:15):
Call Merry Christmas to you and yours as well. Love you, brother,
and we'll talk to you soon.
Speaker 7 (12:19):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
He worked at the other place in this place and
just a great teammate and he just keeps crushing. Yeah,
I mean it really is. That's the thing about Kyler Murray.
The criticism was, you know, I always said this is that,
like I was talking about Pro Bowl quarterbacks and leadership,
Jay Cutler had Pro Bowl quarterback. He could have been
a six time Pro Bowler. I didn't think he was
a great leader. I didn't think he galvanized guys. There's
(12:42):
a lot of different things that go in to quarterback,
and one of them is are you kind of obsessed
with it? Jay Glazer talks about this, are you obsessed
with the sport. No, okay, okay, I need guys that
are especially at certain positions.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd Weekdays
and Noonie There nine am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio
FS one and the iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 8 (13:05):
Pauli Fools goheare with Tony Foosco. Yeah, as everybody knows,
we're the hosts of the award winning Polly and Toni
Foosco Show.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (13:12):
But instead of us telling you how great we are,
here's how Dan Packrick described us when he came on
our show.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
Quick, knowledgeable and funny, opinionated.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
What what are you doing interrupting our promo?
Speaker 8 (13:23):
Yeah, you wasn't talking about you.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
You took those clips totally out of context. Oh yeah,
Well after this promo, I'm gonna take you out and
beat you.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
Let me put this into context.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
Shut up.
Speaker 8 (13:35):
Yeah, anyway, just listen to the Paully and Tony Fusco
Show on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
Yee Jmack with the news.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
On the news.
Speaker 2 (13:48):
This is the Herdline news er.
Speaker 7 (13:51):
Let's revisit this Baltimore Suns story on Lamar Jackson. It
is gonna be the story Gajure this NFL offseason. Some
of the quotes from the article in the Baltimore Sun.
A major problem, a lot of it on the Ravens
is that there are team rules and then there are.
Speaker 8 (14:07):
Rules for Jackson.
Speaker 7 (14:09):
Once the Ravens become critical of Jackson, he becomes more withdrawn.
It's clear that coach John Harbaugh has become tired of Jackson. Now,
don't make this a shoot the messenger. Okay, everybody's been
able to see this has been building up all season.
We know two years ago when Lamar got the extension,
it was very contagious.
Speaker 8 (14:27):
I'm not contagious. It was contentious. I'm sorry those two.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
Were going at it.
Speaker 7 (14:31):
Remember he wanted the Deshaun Watson fully guaranteed, and they're like,
we're not doing that. He got a very lucrative deal,
Colin It spikes this offseason, twenty.
Speaker 8 (14:40):
Four percent of the cap is what Lamar will chew out.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
Is that is brutal.
Speaker 3 (14:43):
I mean, he's earned it.
Speaker 8 (14:45):
He's a two time MVP.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
I get that.
Speaker 8 (14:47):
But at the same time, you.
Speaker 7 (14:48):
Can't build a roster around there's no path to fixing
the offensive line. Magically, there's questions about Derrick Henry. The
defense was pretty toothless. I mean, you watched Drake maygo
up and down the field and their most pivot game
of the season.
Speaker 8 (15:01):
There was like they couldn't stop Drake Bay. I don't know, man,
this is gonna be fascinating.
Speaker 1 (15:06):
Yeah, And I think when you know, when stuff leaks
from legitimate reporters, this is somebody that covers the team.
When you cover a team and you have to face
the music and face the athletes you criticize, it's not easy.
That's why a lot of local reporters, a lot of
them don't have the courage. They have to walk into
that locker room every day. It's easy for me. I'm
(15:28):
not in the locker rooms, right, so to report this stuff,
it's got to be buttoned up and right. Yeah, yell
on screen, but it's got to be buttoned up.
Speaker 7 (15:36):
I was at the combine back when I was with
the website, the big lead, and somebody smart I was like, oh,
is there a rebuild coming? They're like, remember, the best
time to rebuild is last year. Okay, Ravens fans can
talk themselves into maybe, hey, Lamar comes back, he's healthy.
You know, we got this next year and then we
could talk about no no, no, no no. Then he's
(15:57):
going to be thirty. You know the injury history, Colin,
I think they got to make a move this offseason.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
Well, I think you definitely take calls. You know what
if you're Miami. Let's say you're Miami or the Raiders
now and now both are paying two and Gino, so
Paul are paying a quarterback. So if you're paying Lamar
and a quarterback and you're giving up draft capital, it
is a huge, huge swing. Ideally, my take is there's
(16:23):
somebody else who is a team in the NFL, but's
that needs juice at quarterback. It has cap space next year.
Now me start looking at it. Find a team that
you're like, man, because with Gino and Tua, can you
pay that and Lamar Jackson that's tough. So find a team.
Speaker 8 (16:44):
Well, the Raiders are the one that make the most sense.
They're going to have a top three pick, maybe number one.
Speaker 7 (16:49):
And then you've got the decision do you want to
start something with Mendoza in the desert or do you
want to bring in Lamar and hey we make the
jump insta.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
I would do Mendoza.
Speaker 7 (16:57):
Well, the problem with that is how long is it
going to take you guys to overtake the Chargers, Broncos
and Chiefs. Well, now with Lamar instantly, you're competitive, right.
The problem is like, well, brock Bowers and Lamar is
a good combo. Ashton gent.
Speaker 8 (17:11):
You know you've got a couple pieces. Colton Miller should
return this week. The left tackle.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
The Miami the Miami Dolphins piece is really interesting.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
But what do you do?
Speaker 7 (17:22):
Nobody where you gonna find a taker for Tua? Are
you gonna dump him in then take the cap hit.
I don't think you could build a team taking the
to a.
Speaker 1 (17:31):
Dead cap money, and I mean bringing on the Baltimore
may have to swallow some of the Lamar deal, but
if they draft the quarterback again. Denver swallowed a ton
of Russell Wilson cap hit, but bo Nicks was free,
so they could deal with. If you nail the quarterback
in the draft, then it's fine. If you have to
pay some of half of Lamar's contract, so it's like
twelve percent of your caphit, you're like, yikes, but you
(17:53):
draft somebody in the twentieth place, Ty Simpson from Bama.
He starts and you're not paying him anything for four years.
So Denver got through it by drafting well and getting
a star quarterback or high end quarterback. There's ways a
lot of this cap you can you can mark, you
can manipulate your way around it, and it really helps
if you have a great draft.
Speaker 7 (18:15):
I mean, Arizona Cardinals could be interesting. He doesn't want
to play there though, Well we don't know that yet.
I mean, Arizona's a great, very good tax estate. You're
big on the taxes. Save some money there, warm Weather.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
I mean Vegas is zero and Miami's zero state tac
That's that's better than as I think Arizona is six
percent or something like that.
Speaker 8 (18:37):
Man, all right, let's move on.
Speaker 7 (18:38):
Actually, let's go to the Raiders colin interesting game this
weekend against the Giants. They're calling it the toilet Bowl
Giants Raiders. Its opposite Packers, and I'm sorry not Packers.
It's opposite Eagles Bills, which is the game of the week.
But there is an interesting angle here. It's basically for
the number one pick, and everybody's talking about tanking this weekend. Hey,
(19:00):
don't mention that to Max Crosby. He does not care.
Speaker 6 (19:04):
Yeah, I don't get about the Pig. To be honest,
I don't play for that. I don't That's not my job.
My job is be the best defensive end in the
world and that's what I focus on every day, and
being a great leader and being an influence and being
a you know, being that guy on a consistent basis
for my team.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
I love that guy. By the way, Arizona state tax
two and a half percent in my bed. Don't drive
off the road if you're in Scottsdale. I love Max
Crosby so much.
Speaker 8 (19:32):
Who you got in this one?
Speaker 6 (19:33):
Colin?
Speaker 1 (19:38):
Probably the Giants.
Speaker 8 (19:39):
So I haven't bet on the Raiders.
Speaker 7 (19:40):
I don't think all season that's not This might be
the spot, Okay, I don't know.
Speaker 1 (19:46):
I mean there's not a lot, so I try not
to bet on games I don't want to watch because
it's just I have to sit there last week and
watch the Vikings Giants for three and a half hours.
Speaker 3 (19:58):
Oh it was.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
I literally called the Dennis and said, can you get
me in on a Sunday? I'd rather do that brutal.
Speaker 7 (20:04):
We'll see call the Colton Miller get back is big.
I think the Raiders are trying. We watch them against
the Texans. Oh, I don't think the Giants are any good.
And by the way, this one set up the Giants
with the number one pick. And then remember the Giants
fan base loves Jackson Dart.
Speaker 8 (20:20):
They're all in on him. He's a cool guy. Colin.
Speaker 7 (20:22):
Remember the GMA. That's a guy I saw my job
and it sets up like do you what do you
do with Dart? Mendoza fun story out of New York.
He can always find good angles in the NFL. All right,
let's wrap up before Christmas with this one, Colin, we're
giving you a nice little present here. With Aaron Rodgers,
I've been very critical of Rogers. He's delivered and this
play that he did against the Lions right before the half,
(20:45):
the touchdown bomb to Kenneth Gainwell.
Speaker 8 (20:46):
Listen to the audio.
Speaker 7 (20:47):
It's pretty Awesome's side this side, flat to the right,
watching all the way out, run to go all out.
Speaker 1 (21:03):
Roger's office. Back foot throws it down the way and
look at dating Well he thinks he has a touchdown.
Speaker 5 (21:11):
He got him, He got him, he got it.
Speaker 7 (21:17):
And display was spectacular. Sorry, if your Aaron, just go
out there and run a run a go route. He
basically test said, this is what we're doing and how
did the Lions still let it happen? And again, I've
never played linebacker in the NFL, but if I hear
that it's the end of the half, it's like.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
Well, you're in a loud stadium. You're in a loud
stadium sometimes. And by the way, now I have to
communicate it as a mic linebacker out to the corner
and the ball snap. So Aaron's like, do a go route?
Do a go on hike? Boom? How much time do
you have the track? Hey, left corner, He's gonna run
a go route. So Aaron says it. And the way
(21:53):
he said it was werena go route, go to a
go route.
Speaker 3 (21:56):
Boom.
Speaker 7 (21:56):
That was a huge play. They gave up a touchdown
there late. I mean, that was just devastating.
Speaker 8 (22:01):
I'll add this.
Speaker 7 (22:02):
Kenneth Gainwall has been freaking awesome. Oh yeah for the
Pittsburgh Steelers, and you know the Eagles had him. And
once the quarterback gets paid, the Jalen hurts you, Hey,
we've got to prepare for this. We don't want to
lose on the old line running back Depp goodbye, and
now you lose Gamewell and ten things. He's good, but
they had to trade for him.
Speaker 8 (22:18):
Remember, because Will Shipley was the backup.
Speaker 7 (22:21):
He gets hurt and so again, these quarterback salaries really
ding depth and it's been a huge.
Speaker 8 (22:28):
Get for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nice job by the GM there.
Speaker 1 (22:32):
J mckle the news.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
Well that's the news, and thanks for stopping by the
Herd Line News.
Speaker 1 (22:38):
The seven biggest games of the college football season are
around the corner. Jeff Schwartz, formerly as you know, a
former Oregon Duck nfler, is going to be joining us,
plus some NFL stuff to discuss next.
Speaker 2 (22:54):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays
in noon Easter nine am Pacific on Fox Sports Rates
one and the iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
I'm all fired up for Jeff Schwartz our love of
college football. Okay, so I get a lot of heat.
Let's bring in Jeff Schwartz, Fox Sports analysts, former NFL
offensive lineman Oregon Duck. So I said, I still can't
believe that USC fans are okay with Notre Dame having
(23:23):
a side deal with a tournament, Notre Dame being a
partial member of a conference, Notre Dame being able to
manipulate byes before their game with the USC. Much easier
when you're a partial member of a conference with a
much weaker schedule. And USC fans are like, sure, yeah,
(23:43):
we'll play it whenever you want. I'm like USC fans,
you actually me, it's unbelievable. The USC fans are just
like giving Notre Dame side deals, will play whenever. But
maybe I'm wrong on that. How do you see it?
Speaker 5 (23:58):
Okay, all those things are true.
Speaker 9 (24:00):
Memorandum of understanding is bad, Like I can't believe that
people signed that the not Dad gets to be in
if they're top twelve team. All the things are true,
but us he's won out of this for a couple
of years now, right, like they've won out of this game.
Speaker 5 (24:10):
They got out of this game.
Speaker 9 (24:12):
Look, USC fans love to talk about the Pete Carroll
years or twenty years ago. They loved talking about it.
What did Pete Carroll do though? He's scheduled tough? Right,
just to win championships, you got to schedule these games, right.
They went to I think DC off the time I
had played Vigia Tech, right, went to Arkansas and they
smoked those teams, but they scheduled tough.
Speaker 3 (24:28):
Look at what Notre Dame or.
Speaker 9 (24:29):
Miami, r A and m did to all play chart
of the season. And they're ducking a game that they've
been losing. And there's many reasons for that, and some
of you mentioned and USC has their reasons and Notre
Dame has their reasons, but the fact is they're canceling
a game that has only missed World Wars and COVID
Otherwise they played every year.
Speaker 5 (24:46):
And look, let's be honest.
Speaker 9 (24:47):
If USC was competitive in these games, they would play them, right,
it would help their resume to beat Notre Dame. But
in the end, all things have about Irish are true.
They need to join a conference. I can't believe again,
did they get this preferential deal where they basically to
be in the top twelve. I mean, there's a scenario
where USC could beat them, be ranked higher than them,
and then not go to playoff because the top twelve,
(25:10):
which are yes, that's silly to me.
Speaker 1 (25:13):
Yeah. And here's the other thing. When Pete Carroll was
the coach, if you won the Pac twelve, which was
awful during Pete Carroll's run, it was the weakest it's been,
you were you could play for a Natty. Now you've got,
they're in the Big Ten, which is a much better conference,
and you also now go into a playoff. So to me,
I understand your argument. But all these guys going back
(25:34):
to the old days, Jeff, the world has changed. Is
that Nick Saban refused to go on the road his
last ten years for an out of conference game. You
played in Tuscaloosa or it was neutral. Nick is like,
I'm not gonna go on. I don't even care if
it's like an kind of a top twenty program. So
I think Saban was the first and nobody called him scared,
(25:57):
and they would have probably won those games. But Nick's
take was, when you're playing NFL bodies for twelve weeks,
I'm not adding another group of great players.
Speaker 9 (26:06):
Look, I think the difference here too is that US
doesn't have that cachet at the moment that Nick Saban did,
right obviously, because they haven't won at that level. And
I think people look at link at Riley's program right
now and question at times the toughness and the physicality.
And then you're ducking a game against the team that
you need to tie it to sort of beat to
win championships, right, you need to beat a team like
(26:27):
Notre Dame to win a championship, just that style of play, right,
you have to do that potential over three or four weeks.
So I think Nick Saban has a different argument because
they were winning championships, us he hasn't gone there now.
Speaker 5 (26:37):
Maybe not playing Notre Dame and putting someone else, and we'll.
Speaker 9 (26:40):
Get USC to ten and two and a big you
can finish, tend to in a big ten, you're probably
a playoff team, and then you could prove all the
doubters wrong if you get a playoff spot.
Speaker 1 (26:49):
Yeah, I have a good sourcer to at USC, and
I think their feeling was will play you. But our
core class schedule of trigonometry, chemistry and physics is a
lot tougher than yours of basket weaving and wood shop
and jim. So if we're gonna if you take schedules
and look at Notre Dames next year, it's embarrassing and
(27:10):
Notre Dame knows it, it's awful. Toughest game is Miami
at home. They'll be favored double digits in almost every game.
So I think what USC felt is, Okay, let's look
at our schedules like core classes ours USC, Ohio State, Oregon,
Washington at Penn State, and India. We'll play you. We're
(27:31):
not playing you in the middle of our physics midterm.
We'll do week zero. That to me is a way
because I don't think US and C said no. I
think they said, Okay, you have a side deal, you
have a weaker schedule. It's gotta be on our terms.
Isn't that realistic?
Speaker 9 (27:52):
Well they certainly, they certainly said that, right. I mean,
then the week zero thing is not actually possible based
on the rules of scheduling, like you have to have
a Hawaii g or some sort of weird situation of
play week zero. And USC has been better and neally
can Riley earn the season as well, So if you
get the opportunity to play them in the year, certainly
benefits USC more than it benefits Nord name, So I
get the argument why USC would would would want.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
To do that.
Speaker 9 (28:14):
Look, I think if both teams wanted to make it
happen calling it probably still gets done, right, I mean,
it just does. And neither team wanted to budge on
what they wanted this relationship, and now it's off for
a little bit and maybe never comes back.
Speaker 5 (28:27):
I don't know.
Speaker 9 (28:29):
We'll see obviously how it goes this year and whether
it affects either of the team's. Look, the Irish schedule is, look,
their name has to join a conference, right like, they
have the best situation of anyone where they have to
join a conference, don't have to play conference championship game,
which seems to not matter anyways towards rankings, and then
also get this deal with it to finish in the
top twelve with the schedule you mentioned. Look BYU should
be difficult to play at on the road, but eleven
(28:50):
and one gets you a playoff spot, right, So they
have at the best of both worlds. I still think
USC shouldn't duck them, but I get both arguments.
Speaker 1 (28:58):
Okay, Oregon Texas Tech, I think they're I think it's
upset alert. Do you.
Speaker 5 (29:04):
Uh No, I think we'll be okay.
Speaker 9 (29:08):
So here's here's my thing about about Oregon at the moment,
but also playing a team a Texas Tech is that
Technik has just not seen Organ's offense. There's no no
one on their schedules like Organs offense. Now you could
put on ASU's film because of Kenny Dillingham, and that's
sort of what you might see Oregon do, but no
one else season just tried to run directly at Texas Tech.
Speaker 5 (29:28):
Right in the middle they have.
Speaker 9 (29:29):
Their edges are great height, Bailey Rodriguez, it Will Windbacker.
Those guys are absolutely studs.
Speaker 5 (29:34):
They are dudes.
Speaker 9 (29:35):
But the middle of their team sort of no one
really tried that. There are opportunities to throw deep. Arizona
State showed that, and just Texta hasn't played a defense,
an offense like organized thelipside. Organism played probably a defense
like them since they played Indiana. They did play Penn State.
Still a good defense, I was still a good defense.
And then one thing on the other side is look,
Organ's defense this year has been great. Don't take the
(29:57):
third quarter of the GMU game and take seriously before
they play GMU, every single team they face scored under
what they do.
Speaker 5 (30:06):
Their yardage were under their average.
Speaker 9 (30:09):
And one thing I think benefits Organ's defense in this
game is Texas Tech has a sort of a stationaring quarterback.
We struggle stopping quarterbacks that run, which a lot of
teams do. By the way, it's nothing new. So I like,
I think our team's really good man. I like our chances.
I think it's a really close game. We've handled adversity
well all season. We're healthier now, which is hugely important,
specially offensively. Give me a great game. I think a
(30:29):
low scoring game, a controlled environment for both teams, just
trying not do too much, not make mistakes, can't turn
the ball over. Texas Tech number one the country in
field position because their defense sets them up in good spots.
Speaker 1 (30:40):
I got to touch on this. Jackson Dart has regressed
the last three weeks. People got film. He's been banged up.
If the Giants get the number one pick and can
take Fernando Mendoz, their fans are outraged by the suggestion.
You should think about it. What would you do, Giants, GM,
you get the number one pick, what would you do?
Speaker 7 (31:00):
Man?
Speaker 9 (31:02):
I mean, Mendoza plays a style of football that's gonna
keep him healthier. I know Giants fans hate that discussion,
but it is true.
Speaker 2 (31:10):
Right.
Speaker 9 (31:11):
He is a he is excellent in the pocket. He's
gonna throw the balls as quick as possible. He's gonna
find the open guy. He's not gonna move like Dart,
which I think you sort of need in today's game though,
Like that's sort of the question.
Speaker 5 (31:22):
But Dart has all the physical skills.
Speaker 7 (31:23):
Man, I.
Speaker 9 (31:26):
The Giants have so many holes in their roster they
might not be like a Mendoza away from being good. Yeah,
and can can use those draft picks to help Jackson
Dart this game. This weekend's further number one pick, right,
Raiders Giants. I'm curious to see if look taking is
not an actual thing that happens on Sunday, except like
(31:47):
one time it does a year maybe. And I'm curious
to see if either team rock Power is not playing right.
I'm curious if either team sort of kicks the field
goal punch the ball here. But to be fair, like
the Giants coaching stuff doesn't care if they have the
first pick, they won't be there. That's also part of tanking, right,
Like the staff has to want to lose the game.
My captains are not gonna want to lose the games
coaching for his job or for his future. So kind
(32:09):
of curious to see how that one goes this weekend.
Speaker 1 (32:11):
Hey, fun fact, I got to mention this. Jeff Schwartz
is facing Jaymack in the Fox Sports Fantasy Football Championship. Yes,
and anybody that watches this show knows that Jamack has
likes to insert it about four times a week, so
I'm rooting for. I mean, I hate to say this
to Jmax, but he'll be impossible to deal with if
(32:34):
he wins it. He needs to be humbled. So I
want an overtime thriller. But Jeff good luck on that.
Speaker 8 (32:40):
Jeff has a quarterback issue, so do I.
Speaker 7 (32:42):
He has Kim Ward, Yes, Kim Ward, and I've got
Justin Herbert against the Texans, so it's not looking great
for me.
Speaker 8 (32:48):
Yeah, I don't know who else. I got Kirk Cousins
on my bench, Jeff? Should I go to Kirk Cousins?
Speaker 5 (32:54):
Out of all things I care about?
Speaker 9 (32:56):
Football wise, I hate to admit it, but fantasy football
is at the very very bottom up and so beating
j Max, who tears a lot. I didn't know we
were in the playoffs till till a text two weeks
ago said hey, Schwartz, you're looking to upset the number
one seed.
Speaker 5 (33:08):
So I was like, great, So now I'm all in.
Though I'm all in this week. I mean the money,
just for the money.
Speaker 8 (33:12):
Now figures cowhard? There's this isn't some change here?
Speaker 5 (33:16):
Yeah?
Speaker 8 (33:16):
Looking forward to it?
Speaker 1 (33:18):
Okay, you too, can't wait. Jeff Schwartz, Fox Sports.
Speaker 5 (33:22):
Good seeing you, buddy, take care of Thank you guys.
Have a good holiday, all right.
Speaker 3 (33:25):
You two?
Speaker 5 (33:27):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (33:27):
I mean he paused on the Mendoza thing. He's like,
oh boy, this is tough because Mendoz is big, sits
in the pocket, gets rid of the ball quick. He's
not going to be in the blue tent?
Speaker 7 (33:36):
Are you? Are you noticing this some guys, some of
these draft analysts are lukewarm on Mendoza. Colin and I'm
starting to see I got a bone to pick with
our guy, Daniel Jeremiah.
Speaker 5 (33:46):
He is like him.
Speaker 3 (33:47):
I mean he's not.
Speaker 8 (33:48):
He's not like he's the number one lock and I'm like,
I don't. I just don't get what are we missing out?
Speaker 1 (33:54):
Well, he's not. He's not a run around guy and
everybody likes mobility. He's a big, strong kid. I will
say this, I really like him. Somebody I talked to
likes him. He thinks he's the best quarterback, but he
doesn't love him. He's like he's there. He's like, he
doesn't have Caleb's talent. He doesn't think okay, he said
he is not as good a prospect as Drake.
Speaker 2 (34:16):
May That's what I was.
Speaker 1 (34:18):
Yeah, so much fun, so much fun. Merry Christmas, everybody,
Hosts And Creators
Colin Cowherd
Jason McIntyre
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.