1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,960 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening to The Herd podcast. Be sure to 2 00:00:03,040 --> 00:00:05,720 Speaker 1: catch us Live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in 3 00:00:05,880 --> 00:00:09,560 Speaker 1: noon to three eastern nine am to noon Pacific. Find 4 00:00:09,600 --> 00:00:12,119 Speaker 1: your local station for The Herd at Fox Sports Radio 5 00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:14,880 Speaker 1: dot com, or stream US live every day on the 6 00:00:14,920 --> 00:00:18,960 Speaker 1: iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. 7 00:00:21,920 --> 00:00:23,960 Speaker 2: You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. 8 00:00:24,920 --> 00:00:27,040 Speaker 1: Danny Parkins is now joining US Live. He had a 9 00:00:27,080 --> 00:00:29,600 Speaker 1: pretty good seat for all of this. We met in 10 00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:32,840 Speaker 1: the morning for coffee and I told him take a jacket. 11 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:34,600 Speaker 1: It's going to be cold. You know, as a guy 12 00:00:34,600 --> 00:00:36,400 Speaker 1: that's not from here, I knew it was going to 13 00:00:36,479 --> 00:00:40,320 Speaker 1: be cold. So take me to the first half where 14 00:00:40,320 --> 00:00:42,120 Speaker 1: the Bears looked out of sorts. 15 00:00:42,159 --> 00:00:43,280 Speaker 3: How dejected were you? 16 00:00:45,760 --> 00:00:47,920 Speaker 4: First half? Not as fun as the second half, Colin. 17 00:00:48,479 --> 00:00:52,000 Speaker 5: I'm willing to say that right now, but. 18 00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:52,960 Speaker 4: I will say. 19 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:58,080 Speaker 5: Not as dejected as you would think, even though I 20 00:00:58,080 --> 00:01:00,000 Speaker 5: don't fully remember what I said in all of those video, 21 00:01:00,160 --> 00:01:02,920 Speaker 5: and I credit the pregame tailgate for that, but it 22 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:05,960 Speaker 5: was the type of situation where that ended up being 23 00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 5: the seventh fourth quarter comeback that the Bears have had 24 00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:11,640 Speaker 5: this year, and so I had seen six of them, 25 00:01:11,840 --> 00:01:14,399 Speaker 5: so McManus misses the field goal at the end of 26 00:01:14,440 --> 00:01:17,360 Speaker 5: the first half. We're talking at halftime, me and my 27 00:01:17,880 --> 00:01:19,880 Speaker 5: nephew and my friends who were all at the game together, 28 00:01:19,959 --> 00:01:22,240 Speaker 5: were like, all right, get a stop to start the 29 00:01:22,280 --> 00:01:24,920 Speaker 5: third quarter, and then it's time for Caleb Magic to 30 00:01:25,040 --> 00:01:26,920 Speaker 5: kick in a little bit. They got to stop to 31 00:01:26,920 --> 00:01:29,720 Speaker 5: stop their start the third quarter. They outscored him twenty 32 00:01:29,760 --> 00:01:31,760 Speaker 5: five to six in the fourth quarter. I'm not willing 33 00:01:31,800 --> 00:01:34,440 Speaker 5: to write off Pope Leo. I think it's a great 34 00:01:34,560 --> 00:01:37,640 Speaker 5: theory because you got to remember before he was Pope Leo, 35 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:40,640 Speaker 5: he was babbed from the South Side, like he was 36 00:01:40,640 --> 00:01:41,600 Speaker 5: a white Sox fan. 37 00:01:41,640 --> 00:01:42,680 Speaker 4: At the World Series. 38 00:01:42,880 --> 00:01:45,520 Speaker 5: He probably called into my old radio show, like he's 39 00:01:45,560 --> 00:01:48,280 Speaker 5: definitely seen my clips on the internet. So yeah, if 40 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:50,360 Speaker 5: the Blues Brothers could be on a mission from God, 41 00:01:50,560 --> 00:01:51,680 Speaker 5: why can't this Bears team. 42 00:01:51,720 --> 00:01:53,040 Speaker 4: I think it's totally logical. 43 00:01:53,360 --> 00:01:55,680 Speaker 1: What of the this play here in the fourth What 44 00:01:56,200 --> 00:01:58,680 Speaker 1: was the stadium reaction? Because you were in row one. 45 00:02:00,160 --> 00:02:04,520 Speaker 5: Rolling left towards me and he does, I mean rolling 46 00:02:04,640 --> 00:02:08,000 Speaker 5: left thirty five air yards, throwing across his body and 47 00:02:08,080 --> 00:02:12,080 Speaker 5: he makes the completion, and you're watching Caleb and then 48 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:13,600 Speaker 5: you turn to your left and you're. 49 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:14,239 Speaker 6: Like, oh, he's got it. 50 00:02:14,280 --> 00:02:16,280 Speaker 5: Dune say, does that have enough arm on it? And 51 00:02:16,320 --> 00:02:19,760 Speaker 5: it did and it was an amazing moment. And I knew, 52 00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:22,080 Speaker 5: of course right away that it was an insane throw, 53 00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:24,960 Speaker 5: and like the game wasn't officially over, but it still 54 00:02:25,040 --> 00:02:27,720 Speaker 5: is tick tick tick tick tick tick tick less than 55 00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:30,440 Speaker 5: six minutes left in the fourth quarter and they're still 56 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:34,840 Speaker 5: down eleven. So that throw gets forgotten to history if 57 00:02:34,880 --> 00:02:38,120 Speaker 5: everything else doesn't happen after it. But as soon as 58 00:02:38,160 --> 00:02:40,440 Speaker 5: the game ended and you started to try to like 59 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:43,760 Speaker 5: collecting what was the craziest play, everybody knew that that 60 00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:46,600 Speaker 5: was the throw of the moment because it extended it, 61 00:02:46,600 --> 00:02:49,200 Speaker 5: it kept it alive, but it becomes immortal because of 62 00:02:49,200 --> 00:02:50,240 Speaker 5: what happened afterwards. 63 00:02:50,320 --> 00:02:53,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, I was saying, this is Josh Allen and Caleb 64 00:02:53,560 --> 00:02:57,360 Speaker 1: Williams are often better late. And my take is, like 65 00:02:57,400 --> 00:03:01,320 Speaker 1: a basketball player, they're momentum player. And Matt Hasselbeck said 66 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 1: this eart of year. He said, Caleb, maybe it's a 67 00:03:04,040 --> 00:03:08,200 Speaker 1: little street football. He said, he may be more comfortable 68 00:03:08,680 --> 00:03:10,639 Speaker 1: kind of like, coach, give me the structure. 69 00:03:11,240 --> 00:03:12,120 Speaker 3: I'm gonna do stuff. 70 00:03:12,160 --> 00:03:14,679 Speaker 1: When you watch Caleb, because anytime I go to a game, 71 00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:18,400 Speaker 1: it feels different than watching on TV. When you watch Caleb, 72 00:03:18,639 --> 00:03:21,120 Speaker 1: there is a sense, and I've seen this with Josh 73 00:03:21,160 --> 00:03:25,960 Speaker 1: this year. The second half isn't Bend's half, it's Caleb's half. 74 00:03:26,560 --> 00:03:29,160 Speaker 1: And it does it feel like that where the second 75 00:03:29,200 --> 00:03:32,200 Speaker 1: half it's a little symphony. It's you know, football is 76 00:03:32,919 --> 00:03:37,080 Speaker 1: you want to be complimentary, but I do think Bend's 77 00:03:37,080 --> 00:03:42,240 Speaker 1: the mad sciences supstairs and the virtuoso stuff. Caleb's better 78 00:03:42,320 --> 00:03:44,920 Speaker 1: off script it looks like to me routinely. 79 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:49,120 Speaker 5: So two things there, and I'll get to the Caleb 80 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:52,040 Speaker 5: part in a second. I don't want to undersell what 81 00:03:52,160 --> 00:03:54,720 Speaker 5: Ben Johnson's impact was there on the second half of 82 00:03:54,720 --> 00:03:57,520 Speaker 5: that game, because they consistently get better late, so I 83 00:03:57,560 --> 00:03:59,920 Speaker 5: think there has to be something to the halftime adjustment. 84 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:02,040 Speaker 5: And a couple of the stories that have come out 85 00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:06,080 Speaker 5: since that game. One was he called back to a 86 00:04:06,160 --> 00:04:08,400 Speaker 5: lesson I guess that he gave them in training camp. 87 00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:11,440 Speaker 5: Grady Jarrett was on the Falcons, Joe Tooney was on 88 00:04:11,480 --> 00:04:14,560 Speaker 5: the Patriots. He apparently had both of those players speak 89 00:04:14,640 --> 00:04:17,719 Speaker 5: to the Bears about the twenty eight to three comeback 90 00:04:17,839 --> 00:04:21,200 Speaker 5: or collapse, depending on your perspective to give them the 91 00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:23,640 Speaker 5: idea of we're never out of this game. You know 92 00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:26,640 Speaker 5: it's sixty minutes, don't give up. And he referenced that 93 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:28,680 Speaker 5: at halftime, saying that this was going to be the 94 00:04:28,720 --> 00:04:32,200 Speaker 5: biggest comeback in Bear's history. Bigger comebacks have happened before, 95 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:34,599 Speaker 5: we can do this. So I do think Ben Johnson 96 00:04:34,640 --> 00:04:37,240 Speaker 5: being able to call back to something from preseason mattered. 97 00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:39,160 Speaker 5: And then the touchdown that you've shown a bunch to 98 00:04:39,279 --> 00:04:41,640 Speaker 5: DJ Moore that ultimately ended up being the game winner 99 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:44,560 Speaker 5: was a perfect call in the perfect spot because it 100 00:04:44,640 --> 00:04:47,000 Speaker 5: was a play that built Yeah, this one right here. 101 00:04:47,200 --> 00:04:49,520 Speaker 5: It was a play that built off a wide receiver 102 00:04:49,640 --> 00:04:53,880 Speaker 5: screen early exact same formation, exact same blocking moment, movement, 103 00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:56,760 Speaker 5: exact same three receivers split out to the left, except 104 00:04:56,760 --> 00:04:58,080 Speaker 5: this time it was more of a pump and go 105 00:04:58,480 --> 00:05:00,520 Speaker 5: and Dj Moore took it deep. So think that was 106 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:03,240 Speaker 5: Ben Johnson like the scheme and the brilliance there. But 107 00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:07,080 Speaker 5: there is no question that Caleb Williams is an artist, 108 00:05:07,520 --> 00:05:10,200 Speaker 5: that he is a field guy, that he is better 109 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:15,040 Speaker 5: off schedule on the run, playing with feel eyes in 110 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:18,240 Speaker 5: the back of his head, and that Ben Johnson's job 111 00:05:18,400 --> 00:05:21,480 Speaker 5: is to continue to get him better on schedule, and 112 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:24,680 Speaker 5: I will take that as a Chicagoan and a Bears fan, 113 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:27,719 Speaker 5: because I have to believe that you could coach the 114 00:05:27,720 --> 00:05:30,520 Speaker 5: guy to hit the layups and that throw where he's 115 00:05:30,640 --> 00:05:33,960 Speaker 5: escaping down down eleven with five minutes left, six minutes left, 116 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:36,880 Speaker 5: you know on fourth and eight. How many guys in 117 00:05:36,920 --> 00:05:39,680 Speaker 5: the world to make that Josh Allen, Patrick mahomes end 118 00:05:39,680 --> 00:05:43,080 Speaker 5: of list, like Drake May maybe justin Herbert, maybe it 119 00:05:43,160 --> 00:05:44,800 Speaker 5: is such a special. 120 00:05:44,440 --> 00:05:46,560 Speaker 4: Thing that can't be taught that, you know. 121 00:05:46,800 --> 00:05:49,920 Speaker 5: I'll take that combination of brains and artists. 122 00:05:49,760 --> 00:05:51,360 Speaker 3: So I wouldn't fire Matt Lafleur. 123 00:05:51,440 --> 00:05:54,520 Speaker 1: I think it's very difficult taking a huge lead and 124 00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:56,960 Speaker 1: then going in a halftime and thinking I don't want 125 00:05:57,000 --> 00:05:59,120 Speaker 1: to put my Jordan Love's been banged up this year. 126 00:05:59,520 --> 00:06:01,920 Speaker 1: I'm not put them in the crosshairs. We're gonna run 127 00:06:01,960 --> 00:06:04,719 Speaker 1: the ball. Then it's cold, then Jordan Love gets a 128 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:07,240 Speaker 1: little out of sync. I've seen this a thousand times, 129 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:09,800 Speaker 1: so have you, collegen pro I don't put it. 130 00:06:09,760 --> 00:06:10,520 Speaker 3: On Matt Lafleur. 131 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:12,640 Speaker 1: I think it's very hard to play a perfect first 132 00:06:12,680 --> 00:06:15,159 Speaker 1: half and then tell your team we're gonna take that. 133 00:06:15,240 --> 00:06:18,040 Speaker 3: You know, and then coach, you take the foot off 134 00:06:18,080 --> 00:06:20,640 Speaker 3: the pedal and then expect them to be re energized. 135 00:06:20,640 --> 00:06:24,080 Speaker 1: I think it's really difficult to hold leads, especially in 136 00:06:24,120 --> 00:06:24,680 Speaker 1: the playoffs. 137 00:06:24,720 --> 00:06:28,800 Speaker 5: Your thoughts, Yeah, and the other team gets paid too, 138 00:06:29,160 --> 00:06:32,839 Speaker 5: I listen. I wouldn't fire Matt Lafluor either, partly because 139 00:06:32,839 --> 00:06:36,360 Speaker 5: the Bears Packers' rivalry is finally a real rivalry, and 140 00:06:36,600 --> 00:06:39,360 Speaker 5: Ben Johnson seems to hate Matt Lafleur, and Matt Lafloor 141 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:42,080 Speaker 5: seems to hate Ben Johnson, and I don't want that 142 00:06:42,200 --> 00:06:45,680 Speaker 5: to go away because one of my like Bedrock principles 143 00:06:46,040 --> 00:06:48,400 Speaker 5: is less hate in the world and more Hayen sports. 144 00:06:48,640 --> 00:06:50,359 Speaker 5: So I love that these guys hate each other. I 145 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:52,040 Speaker 5: think it makes the rivalry better. So I want Matt 146 00:06:52,080 --> 00:06:54,200 Speaker 5: laflor to stay. But no, listen, matla Floor is a 147 00:06:54,240 --> 00:06:57,480 Speaker 5: good coach. He got Aaron Rodgers, a couple of late MVPs. 148 00:06:57,720 --> 00:07:00,160 Speaker 5: He's gotten Jordan Love to be very good immediately. 149 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:01,040 Speaker 4: When that was no sure thing. 150 00:07:01,520 --> 00:07:03,600 Speaker 5: I think the thing that the Packers tend to do 151 00:07:04,040 --> 00:07:07,279 Speaker 5: is actually be a little too aggressive, Like they kept 152 00:07:07,320 --> 00:07:10,720 Speaker 5: throwing the ball downfield fifteen to twenty yards down the 153 00:07:10,760 --> 00:07:15,880 Speaker 5: field within the four minute offense late. That's just over aggressive. 154 00:07:15,920 --> 00:07:17,880 Speaker 5: I'm not saying you have to just do half back dive, 155 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:20,160 Speaker 5: but there's got to be some sort of combination of 156 00:07:20,200 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 5: screen passes, RPOs, more simple things where you can have 157 00:07:23,640 --> 00:07:26,080 Speaker 5: an easier shot of keeping the clock running. 158 00:07:26,280 --> 00:07:27,320 Speaker 4: It's his third. 159 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:29,400 Speaker 5: Playoff loss as a favorite. 160 00:07:29,640 --> 00:07:30,360 Speaker 4: That's bad. 161 00:07:30,600 --> 00:07:33,800 Speaker 5: Getting a delay a game out of a timeout, that's bad. 162 00:07:33,960 --> 00:07:35,960 Speaker 5: Getting out scored twenty five to six in the fourth 163 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:39,840 Speaker 5: quarter that's bad. But generally speaking, if you would fire 164 00:07:39,880 --> 00:07:43,280 Speaker 5: your coach and five or six teams would immediately hire him, 165 00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:45,080 Speaker 5: you probably shouldn't fire your coach. 166 00:07:45,400 --> 00:07:47,640 Speaker 1: Okay, I'll leave you this. He's on First Things First 167 00:07:47,640 --> 00:07:50,239 Speaker 1: today as well, Danny. The Rams are a weird team. 168 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:53,720 Speaker 1: It feels like they peaked seven weeks ago. They have 169 00:07:53,800 --> 00:07:57,160 Speaker 1: all this great defensive personnel, but they've been gashed twice. 170 00:07:56,880 --> 00:07:57,640 Speaker 3: With the Panthers. 171 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:00,240 Speaker 1: So you sit and watch them and it's like, oh, 172 00:08:00,320 --> 00:08:03,200 Speaker 1: this team is just They also have the only quarterback 173 00:08:03,240 --> 00:08:05,760 Speaker 1: that didn't rush for a first down. So if the 174 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:08,560 Speaker 1: scheme and the play doesn't work, the play's over. 175 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:09,560 Speaker 3: In Chicago. 176 00:08:09,560 --> 00:08:11,640 Speaker 1: If the play scheme doesn't work, you get a second 177 00:08:11,640 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 1: play with Kleeb. 178 00:08:12,920 --> 00:08:13,760 Speaker 3: Also, you have. 179 00:08:14,640 --> 00:08:19,320 Speaker 1: I mean between Loveland, the tight ends, Dj Moore, Romadnde's healthy, 180 00:08:19,760 --> 00:08:23,640 Speaker 1: even Cole commit. You have big Luther Burden. The Rams 181 00:08:23,720 --> 00:08:28,200 Speaker 1: secondary very vulnerable. Weakness of the team could be corner 182 00:08:28,600 --> 00:08:32,280 Speaker 1: your thoughts about a Bear fan at home, could be 183 00:08:32,720 --> 00:08:37,520 Speaker 1: seven degrees playing an LA team which is not playing 184 00:08:37,640 --> 00:08:38,840 Speaker 1: particularly well. 185 00:08:40,720 --> 00:08:43,679 Speaker 5: Yeah, I love the Bears plus four and a half 186 00:08:43,720 --> 00:08:45,080 Speaker 5: that that has already been made. 187 00:08:45,080 --> 00:08:48,319 Speaker 4: I'll tell you that right now. And okay, because. 188 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:54,680 Speaker 5: The last thing, the warm weather team flying east to 189 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:57,360 Speaker 5: the sub zero temperature on the feels like if we, 190 00:08:57,400 --> 00:08:58,440 Speaker 5: you know, get the weather. 191 00:08:58,240 --> 00:08:59,000 Speaker 4: Gods on our side. 192 00:08:59,040 --> 00:09:02,439 Speaker 5: And again, Bob, I do think that a lot of 193 00:09:02,480 --> 00:09:07,240 Speaker 5: those things favor Chicago and the Rams defense. They're giving 194 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:11,640 Speaker 5: up the twenty eight points pert they leak eleven on 195 00:09:11,840 --> 00:09:14,600 Speaker 5: it's now over twenty eight points per game. As you mentioned, 196 00:09:14,640 --> 00:09:17,120 Speaker 5: Carolina had their way with them. They beat him last time, 197 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:18,400 Speaker 5: easily could have beat him this time. 198 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:20,280 Speaker 4: So I think the Bears will move the ball. 199 00:09:20,559 --> 00:09:23,439 Speaker 5: And my guess is Ben Johnson says, hey, guys, you 200 00:09:23,520 --> 00:09:26,640 Speaker 5: were not able to run it against Green Bay. That's unacceptable, 201 00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:28,840 Speaker 5: and they'll be able to run it against the Rams. 202 00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:30,280 Speaker 5: So I think it's another game that comes down to 203 00:09:30,320 --> 00:09:33,800 Speaker 5: the fourth quarter. But also like period next paragraph, Matt 204 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:36,520 Speaker 5: Stafford could throw for six hundred yards on the Bears set. 205 00:09:39,520 --> 00:09:42,200 Speaker 5: The Bears defense is a huge problem right now, Colin. 206 00:09:42,280 --> 00:09:46,200 Speaker 5: So I'm confident Bears offense against Rams defense not quite 207 00:09:46,240 --> 00:09:48,560 Speaker 5: so much Rams offense against Bears defense. 208 00:09:48,640 --> 00:09:49,520 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'll tell you what. 209 00:09:49,640 --> 00:09:52,920 Speaker 1: If you take the Bears and the Rams offensive talent 210 00:09:53,200 --> 00:09:55,040 Speaker 1: and stack it up, it's a Pro Bowl team. 211 00:09:55,240 --> 00:09:56,400 Speaker 3: There are so yes. 212 00:09:56,520 --> 00:10:01,880 Speaker 1: When the tight ends alone, You've got Pooka, Uh, Devonte Adams, 213 00:10:02,760 --> 00:10:06,360 Speaker 1: DJ Moore, Roma Dunze, Luther Burden has become now a 214 00:10:06,440 --> 00:10:07,160 Speaker 1: real weapon. 215 00:10:07,720 --> 00:10:12,480 Speaker 5: So kennot wait, Legwyn is a superstar. Colston Loveland is 216 00:10:12,520 --> 00:10:15,240 Speaker 5: a superstar. He's going to be great for a decade. 217 00:10:15,480 --> 00:10:15,720 Speaker 3: Yeah. 218 00:10:15,760 --> 00:10:17,960 Speaker 1: His jersey had so much chalk and it didn't looked 219 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:21,840 Speaker 1: like honestly, just rolled around in it for several hours. 220 00:10:22,040 --> 00:10:23,400 Speaker 3: Danny is always great stuff. 221 00:10:24,720 --> 00:10:26,600 Speaker 4: Good to see you this weekend, Colin. Thank you, sir. 222 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:29,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, what a magical moment. 223 00:10:29,280 --> 00:10:32,320 Speaker 1: We'd have had coffee in the morning and he's like, listen, 224 00:10:32,400 --> 00:10:36,400 Speaker 1: it's it's Bulls Jordan games, It's the Cubs. That last 225 00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:39,000 Speaker 1: game they played at home as they went on the 226 00:10:39,080 --> 00:10:41,560 Speaker 1: road in that World Series and he goes in this game. 227 00:10:41,920 --> 00:10:46,920 Speaker 1: It felt so iconic and important for the city of Chicago. 228 00:10:47,040 --> 00:10:49,640 Speaker 2: Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays 229 00:10:49,640 --> 00:10:53,200 Speaker 2: and neon Eastern non am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio 230 00:10:53,480 --> 00:10:57,640 Speaker 2: FS one and the iHeartRadio app. Fox Sports Radio is 231 00:10:57,679 --> 00:11:00,520 Speaker 2: taking over YouTube and you can be part of it. 232 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:03,880 Speaker 2: Just go to YouTube and search Fox Sports Radio. 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But two through seven, I'll 248 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:51,760 Speaker 1: watch the Texans tonight. 249 00:11:51,960 --> 00:11:52,520 Speaker 3: I don't know. 250 00:11:55,520 --> 00:11:59,800 Speaker 1: Playoffs are just fine without Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson. 251 00:11:59,800 --> 00:12:00,679 Speaker 3: There just fine. 252 00:12:01,920 --> 00:12:04,640 Speaker 1: Appropriately named wild Card weekend. 253 00:12:04,720 --> 00:12:08,440 Speaker 3: J Mack with the news. Turn on the news. 254 00:12:08,920 --> 00:12:11,040 Speaker 2: This is the herd Line News. 255 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:14,960 Speaker 7: All right, let's start with that wild Rams Panthers game. 256 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:16,680 Speaker 6: Colin Rams were in total control. 257 00:12:16,720 --> 00:12:19,880 Speaker 7: Fourteen nothing, you're feeling good, and then Bryce Young started 258 00:12:19,920 --> 00:12:20,679 Speaker 7: doing things. 259 00:12:20,720 --> 00:12:21,720 Speaker 6: Man, I was impressed. 260 00:12:21,960 --> 00:12:25,920 Speaker 7: It came down to Stafford late trailing and he had 261 00:12:25,960 --> 00:12:30,080 Speaker 7: a two minute drive, unbelievable touchdown pass to Kobe Parkinson. 262 00:12:30,120 --> 00:12:31,520 Speaker 6: I mean, great cats by the tight end. 263 00:12:31,800 --> 00:12:35,000 Speaker 7: Here's Stafford and DeVante Adams on the quarterback's message to 264 00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:36,120 Speaker 7: the team on the final drive. 265 00:12:36,280 --> 00:12:39,920 Speaker 8: I love this an opportunity. Like tonight, I walked behind 266 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:41,280 Speaker 8: Say on the way out and it was like for 267 00:12:41,440 --> 00:12:42,960 Speaker 8: that flash Drivet. I forget what I said to him, 268 00:12:42,960 --> 00:12:44,960 Speaker 8: but I was like, let's go snatch these guys, you know, like, 269 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:46,600 Speaker 8: let's go snatch this from back man, let's. 270 00:12:46,480 --> 00:12:48,280 Speaker 9: Go Yeah, I think you said let's go snatch these 271 00:12:48,280 --> 00:12:52,319 Speaker 9: guys hearts and that was that was pretty Uh, that 272 00:12:52,400 --> 00:12:55,080 Speaker 9: was pretty cold. Was pretty cold just to hear that. 273 00:12:55,120 --> 00:12:57,240 Speaker 9: And I actually like literally smiled in the moment because 274 00:12:57,240 --> 00:12:59,000 Speaker 9: I thought that I was like, when there's the most 275 00:12:59,040 --> 00:13:00,600 Speaker 9: gangster things you could say in that moment. 276 00:13:01,960 --> 00:13:04,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean that's kind of when Stafford's really really good. 277 00:13:04,559 --> 00:13:08,120 Speaker 1: And again Stafford falls into the brock pretty Darnold Andrew Lockworth, 278 00:13:08,280 --> 00:13:11,440 Speaker 1: there's bad picks. They're like, whoa what, But in the 279 00:13:11,559 --> 00:13:14,520 Speaker 1: end he's good. Pre staff you know, he had a 280 00:13:14,520 --> 00:13:17,200 Speaker 1: couple to look one way through the other. They have 281 00:13:17,240 --> 00:13:21,280 Speaker 1: a really it's you know, I think Greg Olsen said 282 00:13:21,320 --> 00:13:23,160 Speaker 1: this during the broadcast, and he's a former tight end. 283 00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:26,199 Speaker 1: It's probably the best tight end group in the league. 284 00:13:26,240 --> 00:13:28,679 Speaker 1: They go, they go three four deep at tight end, 285 00:13:28,720 --> 00:13:32,199 Speaker 1: and they use their tight ends a lot. Coolby Parkinson 286 00:13:32,320 --> 00:13:35,120 Speaker 1: was a Stanford kid, went to Seattle and then they 287 00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:36,680 Speaker 1: got him and it was kind of under the radar. 288 00:13:37,320 --> 00:13:38,760 Speaker 3: I mean, hig me now healthy. 289 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:42,440 Speaker 1: They got Terrence Ferguson out of Oregon, Davis Allen a 290 00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:43,240 Speaker 1: couple of years ago. 291 00:13:43,280 --> 00:13:44,200 Speaker 3: He's there. He's there. 292 00:13:44,240 --> 00:13:48,640 Speaker 1: Four But they're all capable guys, all block at some 293 00:13:48,880 --> 00:13:51,839 Speaker 1: level fairly well. But they're all guys that can make 294 00:13:51,920 --> 00:13:55,080 Speaker 1: they all have good hands and they're used regularly in 295 00:13:55,120 --> 00:13:55,720 Speaker 1: this offense. 296 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:58,640 Speaker 7: Yeah, it's the defense of the Rams. That is the concern, 297 00:13:58,760 --> 00:14:01,840 Speaker 7: right a strange. I thought Quinton Lake would shore up 298 00:14:01,880 --> 00:14:02,400 Speaker 7: the back end. 299 00:14:02,440 --> 00:14:03,120 Speaker 6: He got cooked. 300 00:14:03,240 --> 00:14:05,359 Speaker 7: I mean it was a rough one for the secondary. 301 00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:07,160 Speaker 7: I will say this about Stafford. As good as he 302 00:14:07,200 --> 00:14:09,520 Speaker 7: was in the final drive, he nearly threw that pick 303 00:14:09,559 --> 00:14:12,800 Speaker 7: in the end zone. Pooka had to a juma defense 304 00:14:12,880 --> 00:14:13,400 Speaker 7: is ashy. 305 00:14:13,520 --> 00:14:15,280 Speaker 1: Pooka had the play of the game and it wasn't 306 00:14:15,320 --> 00:14:18,079 Speaker 1: a catch. He knocked that out. The other thing is 307 00:14:18,920 --> 00:14:23,920 Speaker 1: that Carolina has skill. I mean between Dowdell, Bryce. 308 00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:25,720 Speaker 7: Well, Doubdell by the way, real quick, he had like 309 00:14:25,800 --> 00:14:27,840 Speaker 7: five carries for nine yards. I don't know what that 310 00:14:27,880 --> 00:14:31,000 Speaker 7: game plan was. He was a monster this year. Any 311 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:32,240 Speaker 7: idea what Kanalis. 312 00:14:31,840 --> 00:14:33,680 Speaker 1: Would do life, because I think they wanted to pick 313 00:14:33,680 --> 00:14:35,800 Speaker 1: on the Rams secondary, and I think they did. I 314 00:14:36,080 --> 00:14:40,200 Speaker 1: think Carolina's offensive talent and offensive coaching. I think it's 315 00:14:40,200 --> 00:14:42,880 Speaker 1: pretty clever. It's young. It's a lot of young. I 316 00:14:42,880 --> 00:14:45,240 Speaker 1: mean they've got a rookie, I mean the rookie t 317 00:14:45,440 --> 00:14:49,400 Speaker 1: mac sensational guy, Bryce Young. 318 00:14:49,480 --> 00:14:52,520 Speaker 3: Is it what in his third year? I think third 319 00:14:52,600 --> 00:14:53,000 Speaker 3: or fourth. 320 00:14:53,040 --> 00:14:55,760 Speaker 1: So it's a very very young offense and I think 321 00:14:55,760 --> 00:14:58,680 Speaker 1: it's only going to get better. But you can see 322 00:14:58,680 --> 00:15:01,400 Speaker 1: the Rams have struggled twice playing them, and they beat 323 00:15:01,400 --> 00:15:03,360 Speaker 1: the Rams red zone and down the field. 324 00:15:03,480 --> 00:15:05,360 Speaker 6: Yeah, I was way off on this. Just as a tease. 325 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:07,680 Speaker 7: Again, I have zero bets yet for this coming week. 326 00:15:07,720 --> 00:15:09,440 Speaker 7: Do you have any, because I you know when when 327 00:15:09,480 --> 00:15:11,240 Speaker 7: I when I hoop my pants like that, I do 328 00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:12,600 Speaker 7: not want to fire earth. 329 00:15:12,600 --> 00:15:16,800 Speaker 1: You know my en I want to see New England 330 00:15:17,680 --> 00:15:20,000 Speaker 1: would be about a one and a half to two 331 00:15:20,080 --> 00:15:22,720 Speaker 1: point favorite if they played the Texans. 332 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:25,560 Speaker 3: That's I want to watch the Texans to night. See 333 00:15:25,560 --> 00:15:26,880 Speaker 3: what I get that. 334 00:15:27,480 --> 00:15:30,280 Speaker 1: I want to see New England Texas Texans line. 335 00:15:30,360 --> 00:15:32,200 Speaker 7: I bring that up because I'm looking at the Rams 336 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:34,920 Speaker 7: and I was just about to dig into this. Matthew 337 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:41,000 Speaker 7: Stafford versus Dennis Allen defenses historically, might want to do 338 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:43,280 Speaker 7: any do some homework on that one before firing. 339 00:15:43,480 --> 00:15:45,720 Speaker 6: If you're liking the bears by go for it. 340 00:15:45,760 --> 00:15:49,680 Speaker 7: But Stafford has had some success against Dennis Allen defenses. Sorry, 341 00:15:49,760 --> 00:15:52,800 Speaker 7: let's move on to the next way, and that's Chargers Patriots. 342 00:15:53,760 --> 00:15:56,840 Speaker 7: Just disheartening effort from the Chargers offense. I didn't like 343 00:15:56,880 --> 00:16:00,160 Speaker 7: it at all. Justin Herbert got sacked six times. They 344 00:16:00,160 --> 00:16:02,800 Speaker 7: were zero for to in the red zone, three points 345 00:16:02,840 --> 00:16:05,720 Speaker 7: and two hundred and seven yards of total offense. Jim 346 00:16:05,720 --> 00:16:09,000 Speaker 7: Harbaugh asked afterwards how they'll approach the offense this offseason. 347 00:16:10,760 --> 00:16:14,040 Speaker 7: I really don't have the answers I wish I did. 348 00:16:15,840 --> 00:16:18,280 Speaker 9: If I did there there would have been would have 349 00:16:18,280 --> 00:16:19,360 Speaker 9: been a different result. 350 00:16:20,320 --> 00:16:25,040 Speaker 4: But that I am, you know, going to be spending. 351 00:16:25,920 --> 00:16:28,960 Speaker 9: We'll be spending a lot of hard work and maybe 352 00:16:28,960 --> 00:16:31,760 Speaker 9: even sleepless nights getting it figured out. 353 00:16:33,320 --> 00:16:33,520 Speaker 8: Yeah. 354 00:16:33,560 --> 00:16:36,720 Speaker 1: I mean they the first pick. There's a Miami offensive 355 00:16:36,760 --> 00:16:40,080 Speaker 1: lineman that can go tackle or interior, and I think 356 00:16:40,080 --> 00:16:43,400 Speaker 1: with their tackle health issues, that's the pick. So he 357 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:45,840 Speaker 1: can be He'll start on the inside where they're really 358 00:16:45,920 --> 00:16:48,520 Speaker 1: weak guard center guard, but he can in a pinch 359 00:16:48,520 --> 00:16:52,600 Speaker 1: play right tackle. They also probably need another edge rusher. 360 00:16:53,120 --> 00:16:56,520 Speaker 1: Other than that, another tight end would help. They're not 361 00:16:56,600 --> 00:16:58,960 Speaker 1: good on the O line. But even if they get 362 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:01,920 Speaker 1: their tackles back, they probably have to address get a 363 00:17:01,960 --> 00:17:03,800 Speaker 1: third tackle in the building they trust. 364 00:17:04,080 --> 00:17:06,480 Speaker 7: I was gonna say skill position because Colin, Now you 365 00:17:06,520 --> 00:17:08,840 Speaker 7: see the stat there one TD on twenty four drives. 366 00:17:08,880 --> 00:17:10,280 Speaker 7: I think it's twenty two if you strip out the 367 00:17:10,320 --> 00:17:13,560 Speaker 7: kneel downs. But like it just doesn't really make sense. 368 00:17:13,600 --> 00:17:16,320 Speaker 7: How they're priority in the off season was, Oh, let's 369 00:17:16,359 --> 00:17:19,200 Speaker 7: go get Keenan Allen, Let's go get Trey Harris, the 370 00:17:19,240 --> 00:17:22,600 Speaker 7: kid from Oklahoma, Let's get O'maron Hampton combined, they did 371 00:17:22,640 --> 00:17:24,160 Speaker 7: like nothing in this playoff game. 372 00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:26,040 Speaker 6: And we would agree with Patriots. 373 00:17:26,080 --> 00:17:28,440 Speaker 7: Defense is middle of the pack and most stats are 374 00:17:28,440 --> 00:17:31,600 Speaker 7: not elite. Just disappointing stuff. And some of the film 375 00:17:31,640 --> 00:17:34,840 Speaker 7: guys are now breaking down Herbert. He did miss a 376 00:17:34,920 --> 00:17:37,960 Speaker 7: couple of passes to mconkie, didn't even throw them, just 377 00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:40,800 Speaker 7: didn't see them. And this could have been a different game. 378 00:17:40,800 --> 00:17:45,400 Speaker 7: But how about Mike McDaniel. Can they get him as 379 00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:47,840 Speaker 7: the offensive coordinator Colin, Oh. 380 00:17:47,920 --> 00:17:50,359 Speaker 1: I'm sure they could. He's lived in the Bay Area, 381 00:17:50,840 --> 00:17:52,760 Speaker 1: he's been in California before. I'm sure they could. 382 00:17:52,880 --> 00:17:55,360 Speaker 7: Yeah, I'm thinking that would be a home run. Now 383 00:17:55,400 --> 00:17:58,800 Speaker 7: m McDaniel apparently he's interviewing for the Falcons job right now. 384 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:01,679 Speaker 7: And mcdail was going to be a hot commodity man. 385 00:18:01,720 --> 00:18:04,879 Speaker 7: He knows offense. I just need a no C for 386 00:18:04,920 --> 00:18:06,520 Speaker 7: the Chargers. We got we gotta get some playoff wins 387 00:18:06,520 --> 00:18:09,840 Speaker 7: for them. Final story Colin college football got some news today. 388 00:18:10,160 --> 00:18:15,640 Speaker 7: Lane Kiffin securing his quarterback in the transfer portal. Reports 389 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:19,840 Speaker 7: are indicating that Arizona State Sam Levitt, who was pretty 390 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:23,920 Speaker 7: freaking awesome last season, leading Arizona State to the playoff 391 00:18:24,480 --> 00:18:27,800 Speaker 7: memorable game against Texas he's a he's a he's a gamer. 392 00:18:29,119 --> 00:18:33,000 Speaker 7: He's intending to sign with LSU. Levitt had a lot 393 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:35,200 Speaker 7: of interest around college football. 394 00:18:35,280 --> 00:18:38,960 Speaker 6: You remember this guy. He had cam'skataboo. Yeah, and he's 395 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:41,240 Speaker 6: a good player. It kind of ended ugly. 396 00:18:41,119 --> 00:18:41,840 Speaker 3: In I like him. 397 00:18:41,880 --> 00:18:45,879 Speaker 1: He's a very competitive kid. I think he's that's a 398 00:18:45,880 --> 00:18:47,560 Speaker 1: really good signed by Kiffin. I like him a lot. 399 00:18:47,560 --> 00:18:49,840 Speaker 1: I thought he was the best he to me. He 400 00:18:49,880 --> 00:18:52,560 Speaker 1: and the quarterback that went to Texas Tech, the Soresby 401 00:18:52,680 --> 00:18:54,640 Speaker 1: kid that played at Cincinnati, those are the two guys 402 00:18:54,640 --> 00:18:56,560 Speaker 1: to get in the portal, and they Lane got one 403 00:18:56,640 --> 00:18:57,680 Speaker 1: in Texas Tech got the other. 404 00:18:58,040 --> 00:19:00,240 Speaker 3: He's a really good quarterback, very good. 405 00:19:00,280 --> 00:19:01,560 Speaker 6: He will raise LSU. I. 406 00:19:02,200 --> 00:19:05,120 Speaker 7: I just don't know if this is a playoff worthy 407 00:19:05,160 --> 00:19:07,720 Speaker 7: team next year. If you look at the roster, there's 408 00:19:07,720 --> 00:19:10,919 Speaker 7: some holes. The sec schedules are brutal. So I know 409 00:19:10,960 --> 00:19:13,320 Speaker 7: people are excited about Lane. I'm just telling you next year, 410 00:19:13,880 --> 00:19:16,440 Speaker 7: like reasonable expectations in Baton Rouge. 411 00:19:16,480 --> 00:19:18,600 Speaker 6: That's normal, right, I'm sure, yeah. 412 00:19:18,280 --> 00:19:19,200 Speaker 3: They'll be reasonable. 413 00:19:19,280 --> 00:19:19,920 Speaker 4: That's what I think. 414 00:19:20,720 --> 00:19:20,840 Speaker 7: Uh. 415 00:19:21,080 --> 00:19:22,359 Speaker 3: J Mack with the news. 416 00:19:22,760 --> 00:19:27,480 Speaker 2: Well, that's the news, and thanks for stopping by The Herdline. 417 00:19:26,760 --> 00:19:30,800 Speaker 1: News Mike Tomlin twenty three and five. On Monday Night, 418 00:19:30,800 --> 00:19:32,160 Speaker 1: we go to Pittsburgh next the Herd. 419 00:19:35,600 --> 00:19:38,200 Speaker 2: Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays 420 00:19:38,200 --> 00:19:41,760 Speaker 2: and neon Easter nine am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio 421 00:19:42,080 --> 00:19:44,280 Speaker 2: FS one and the iHeartRadio app. 422 00:19:47,160 --> 00:19:49,120 Speaker 1: Well. He used to cover the Steelers for the Pittsburgh 423 00:19:49,160 --> 00:19:52,520 Speaker 1: Post Gazette. He graduated to the Athletic does a great job. 424 00:19:52,560 --> 00:19:54,760 Speaker 1: His name is Mike de Fabo and the Steelers Tonight 425 00:19:54,800 --> 00:19:58,080 Speaker 1: hosting the Houston Texans. They're an underdog and Monday Night, 426 00:19:58,119 --> 00:20:02,800 Speaker 1: for whatever reasons, Mike Tomlin, like Bill Walsh meets Belichick 427 00:20:02,840 --> 00:20:05,000 Speaker 1: meets Andy Reid, he dominates Monday. 428 00:20:05,359 --> 00:20:06,040 Speaker 3: Let's start with this. 429 00:20:06,119 --> 00:20:08,600 Speaker 1: I've been very kind of I don't know if cynical 430 00:20:08,680 --> 00:20:10,600 Speaker 1: is the right word, but my take all year is 431 00:20:11,240 --> 00:20:12,240 Speaker 1: Aaron's forty two. 432 00:20:12,520 --> 00:20:15,280 Speaker 3: They don't have a number two receiver. I think they're limited. 433 00:20:15,680 --> 00:20:17,200 Speaker 3: And then over the last month. 434 00:20:17,160 --> 00:20:20,560 Speaker 1: Gain well Jalen Warren Friar Mussol has been good. 435 00:20:20,680 --> 00:20:22,000 Speaker 3: DK now returns. 436 00:20:22,560 --> 00:20:26,240 Speaker 1: I do feel like there's something in the last four 437 00:20:26,320 --> 00:20:30,400 Speaker 1: or five weeks that's clicked. You've watched every snap. Does 438 00:20:30,400 --> 00:20:32,520 Speaker 1: it feel that way for you offensively? 439 00:20:33,960 --> 00:20:35,919 Speaker 10: Yeah, Colin, I don't think that you were wrong to 440 00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:38,439 Speaker 10: be skeptical of this team coming into the year, and 441 00:20:38,480 --> 00:20:41,040 Speaker 10: even midway through the season, the Steelers were a very 442 00:20:41,080 --> 00:20:42,440 Speaker 10: inconsistent football team. 443 00:20:42,640 --> 00:20:44,600 Speaker 11: When they sat at six and six at the. 444 00:20:44,560 --> 00:20:48,479 Speaker 10: Midpoint, fans were chanting to fire Mike Tomlin. And at 445 00:20:48,520 --> 00:20:50,439 Speaker 10: that point the team could have gone one of two 446 00:20:50,520 --> 00:20:52,919 Speaker 10: directions and you would have seen a lot of teams 447 00:20:52,960 --> 00:20:56,000 Speaker 10: fold at that point and fall apart. But that was 448 00:20:56,040 --> 00:20:58,639 Speaker 10: really the turning point was when they went to Baltimore 449 00:20:58,960 --> 00:21:02,240 Speaker 10: and when they need he did Aaron Rodgers at his best. 450 00:21:02,640 --> 00:21:05,960 Speaker 10: The forty two year old quarterback delivered. It was his 451 00:21:06,080 --> 00:21:08,440 Speaker 10: best game of the season to date, and he also 452 00:21:08,480 --> 00:21:10,600 Speaker 10: even rushed for a touchdown for the first time since 453 00:21:10,600 --> 00:21:14,240 Speaker 10: twenty twenty two. And over this last stretch and down 454 00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:17,160 Speaker 10: the stretch, Aaron Rodgers has played some of his best 455 00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:20,320 Speaker 10: football as a Steeler when the Steelers have needed it 456 00:21:20,440 --> 00:21:22,399 Speaker 10: most out of him, and to me, it kind of 457 00:21:22,400 --> 00:21:24,600 Speaker 10: reminds me of the old Toby Keith song. If you're 458 00:21:24,600 --> 00:21:26,480 Speaker 10: a country music fan, I ain't as. 459 00:21:26,440 --> 00:21:28,680 Speaker 11: Good as I once was, but I'm as good once 460 00:21:28,720 --> 00:21:29,439 Speaker 11: as I ever was. 461 00:21:29,880 --> 00:21:32,159 Speaker 10: And that's really what the Steelers were betting on with 462 00:21:32,240 --> 00:21:36,080 Speaker 10: Aaron Rodgers here was when they needed a game winning drive, 463 00:21:36,200 --> 00:21:38,679 Speaker 10: not even a great game, but a great moment in 464 00:21:38,720 --> 00:21:42,320 Speaker 10: a great drive. Aaron Rodgers has delivered, and especially last 465 00:21:42,359 --> 00:21:45,199 Speaker 10: week with those two two minute life situations where he 466 00:21:45,280 --> 00:21:47,399 Speaker 10: ultimately led the Steelers into the playoffs. 467 00:21:47,560 --> 00:21:49,879 Speaker 1: So I've seen this before where you have a dominant 468 00:21:49,880 --> 00:21:52,879 Speaker 1: personality as a number one receiver like an AJ Brown 469 00:21:53,040 --> 00:21:56,679 Speaker 1: or I remember Dez Bryant, and they leave and the 470 00:21:56,720 --> 00:22:00,760 Speaker 1: offense flourishes because the quarterback doesn't feel a burden I 471 00:22:00,840 --> 00:22:03,320 Speaker 1: having to get the ball to DK Metcalf. So DK 472 00:22:03,520 --> 00:22:05,960 Speaker 1: leaves and I'm watching last week and I'm like, oh, 473 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:08,760 Speaker 1: Aaron's very comfortable. He's having a good time here. He's 474 00:22:08,760 --> 00:22:12,600 Speaker 1: spreading around the infield. So now DK Metcalf comes back tonight. 475 00:22:13,320 --> 00:22:16,280 Speaker 1: Obviously he's going to be essential, but it didn't it 476 00:22:16,359 --> 00:22:20,080 Speaker 1: feel like last week in a weird way without Dk, 477 00:22:20,520 --> 00:22:23,440 Speaker 1: everybody else got a flourish. 478 00:22:23,480 --> 00:22:25,760 Speaker 10: Well, that's kind of been the Steelers offense this year, 479 00:22:26,520 --> 00:22:29,640 Speaker 10: it really was constructed that it was DK metcalf as 480 00:22:29,640 --> 00:22:32,520 Speaker 10: the number one weapon, a big gap, and then everybody 481 00:22:32,600 --> 00:22:35,600 Speaker 10: else and everybody else everyone kind of filled in where 482 00:22:35,680 --> 00:22:38,200 Speaker 10: some games maybe it was John hu Smith who was 483 00:22:38,320 --> 00:22:41,000 Speaker 10: kind of like a wide receiver too. Sometimes it was 484 00:22:41,280 --> 00:22:43,879 Speaker 10: Calvin Austin the third stepping up like a wide receiver. 485 00:22:43,960 --> 00:22:44,200 Speaker 3: Two. 486 00:22:44,440 --> 00:22:46,720 Speaker 10: And then they've remade this wide receiver room on the 487 00:22:46,760 --> 00:22:49,639 Speaker 10: fly with some veteran guys that Aaron Rodgers has classified 488 00:22:49,680 --> 00:22:53,920 Speaker 10: himself as cast offs, Adam Feeln and Marquez Valdez Scantling, 489 00:22:54,320 --> 00:22:54,520 Speaker 10: you know. 490 00:22:54,560 --> 00:22:56,520 Speaker 11: So that was kind of the construction of this team. 491 00:22:56,560 --> 00:22:57,879 Speaker 10: And really you have to give a lot of credit 492 00:22:57,880 --> 00:23:01,840 Speaker 10: also to Kenneth Gainwell, because part of this offense has 493 00:23:01,920 --> 00:23:04,840 Speaker 10: been when Aaron Rodgers is not able to throw the 494 00:23:04,840 --> 00:23:07,879 Speaker 10: ball deep, he's just been checking it down to Kenneth 495 00:23:07,920 --> 00:23:10,640 Speaker 10: game while and creating yards after the catch. So that's 496 00:23:10,720 --> 00:23:13,520 Speaker 10: kind of what their offense is is. You can't really 497 00:23:13,600 --> 00:23:17,040 Speaker 10: key on any one guy. Obviously DK is the guy, 498 00:23:17,080 --> 00:23:19,640 Speaker 10: but if it's not him, really it can be any 499 00:23:19,640 --> 00:23:21,520 Speaker 10: one of those guys that I just mentioned. 500 00:23:23,400 --> 00:23:26,840 Speaker 1: Arthur Smith and Aaron. I mean, Aaron has a way 501 00:23:26,880 --> 00:23:29,879 Speaker 1: of seeing the world. You're asking him to embrace another 502 00:23:29,920 --> 00:23:31,080 Speaker 1: offensive coordinator. 503 00:23:31,320 --> 00:23:32,880 Speaker 3: How much of the growth is just. 504 00:23:32,880 --> 00:23:35,639 Speaker 1: Aaron like, Okay, I mean we are when all of 505 00:23:35,680 --> 00:23:38,080 Speaker 1: us get older, there's a little more rigidity to us. 506 00:23:38,359 --> 00:23:41,159 Speaker 1: Some of this does feel like Aaron and Arthur have 507 00:23:41,320 --> 00:23:43,240 Speaker 1: kind of clicked. Is that part of it? 508 00:23:44,880 --> 00:23:45,080 Speaker 4: Yeah? 509 00:23:45,080 --> 00:23:45,840 Speaker 11: I think that you're right. 510 00:23:46,760 --> 00:23:48,600 Speaker 10: Some things that are a little bit different than what 511 00:23:48,640 --> 00:23:50,000 Speaker 10: Aaron Rodgers has done in the past. 512 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:52,240 Speaker 11: The biggest thing is probably the use of tight ends. 513 00:23:52,480 --> 00:23:52,680 Speaker 1: Yeah. 514 00:23:52,760 --> 00:23:56,439 Speaker 10: Really, Aaron Rodgers is somebody who likes having three wide 515 00:23:56,440 --> 00:23:59,320 Speaker 10: sets eleven personnel, and the Steelers are a very heavy 516 00:23:59,359 --> 00:24:02,040 Speaker 10: thirteen person an l twelve personnel team. So Aaron Rodgers 517 00:24:02,080 --> 00:24:04,960 Speaker 10: has been willing to evolve to a degree. At the 518 00:24:04,960 --> 00:24:08,480 Speaker 10: same time, I give Arthur Smith credit because he's allowed 519 00:24:08,480 --> 00:24:11,199 Speaker 10: Aaron Rodgers to be Aaron Rodgers. And I think that 520 00:24:11,240 --> 00:24:14,160 Speaker 10: the Steelers realize that when you bring in a forty 521 00:24:14,200 --> 00:24:17,320 Speaker 10: two year old Aaron Rodgers, physically he might not be 522 00:24:17,440 --> 00:24:20,080 Speaker 10: what he once was, especially in terms of his mobility, 523 00:24:20,520 --> 00:24:23,040 Speaker 10: But if you're going to get the best out of him, 524 00:24:23,320 --> 00:24:26,720 Speaker 10: it's because you're tapping into that experience in that brain. 525 00:24:27,080 --> 00:24:29,520 Speaker 10: And let's just go back to the game winning drive 526 00:24:29,800 --> 00:24:33,159 Speaker 10: against the Baltimore Ravens, and they're in the huddle and 527 00:24:33,240 --> 00:24:35,800 Speaker 10: Aaron Rodgers looks at Kalvanos and the third and says to. 528 00:24:35,800 --> 00:24:38,840 Speaker 11: Him, what route do you want? What do you want 529 00:24:38,880 --> 00:24:39,080 Speaker 11: to do? 530 00:24:39,600 --> 00:24:42,359 Speaker 10: And they're literally drawing some plays or at least routes 531 00:24:42,440 --> 00:24:45,119 Speaker 10: up in the dirt. And Scotty Miller, one of the 532 00:24:45,119 --> 00:24:48,400 Speaker 10: other receivers, said that frees them up because he said 533 00:24:48,440 --> 00:24:50,520 Speaker 10: it was almost like backyard football. And he said, when 534 00:24:50,560 --> 00:24:54,280 Speaker 10: you're playing backyard football, you're not stressed out, you're not concerned, 535 00:24:54,320 --> 00:24:57,320 Speaker 10: You're just having fun. And I think that that level 536 00:24:57,400 --> 00:25:01,520 Speaker 10: of comfort and experience really showed in the most critical 537 00:25:01,560 --> 00:25:04,000 Speaker 10: of moments last week against the Ravens. 538 00:25:04,400 --> 00:25:08,480 Speaker 1: How do you explain Tomlin's always been awful on Thursday night, 539 00:25:09,160 --> 00:25:10,800 Speaker 1: unbeatable on Monday. 540 00:25:11,240 --> 00:25:13,080 Speaker 3: So there's got to be you know, whenever. 541 00:25:12,840 --> 00:25:15,919 Speaker 1: Something jumps out to you like that might take his 542 00:25:16,080 --> 00:25:18,560 Speaker 1: Mike's not good on short rest. It's hard to motivate 543 00:25:18,640 --> 00:25:22,840 Speaker 1: guys and use sort of his motivational kind of tactics 544 00:25:22,880 --> 00:25:24,680 Speaker 1: and skills when Thursday is. 545 00:25:24,640 --> 00:25:25,560 Speaker 3: Just an attrition game. 546 00:25:25,600 --> 00:25:27,280 Speaker 1: You're just trying to get in get out, and nobody's 547 00:25:27,359 --> 00:25:31,600 Speaker 1: hurt Monday. It feels like to me, Mike really gets 548 00:25:31,600 --> 00:25:34,560 Speaker 1: to build everything up to a crescendo. That's Mike and 549 00:25:34,680 --> 00:25:36,800 Speaker 1: his bad That's the only thing I can think of. 550 00:25:37,280 --> 00:25:39,720 Speaker 1: You give me your theory on why is Mike Tomlin 551 00:25:40,240 --> 00:25:41,879 Speaker 1: the greatest Monday Night coach ever? 552 00:25:44,119 --> 00:25:47,040 Speaker 10: You know, Mike Tomlin used to have a saying a 553 00:25:47,040 --> 00:25:49,080 Speaker 10: couple of years ago where he would say, it's a 554 00:25:49,080 --> 00:25:50,680 Speaker 10: five star matchup. 555 00:25:50,560 --> 00:25:51,679 Speaker 11: Because we're in it. 556 00:25:51,920 --> 00:25:53,479 Speaker 10: And I think one of the things that Mike Tomlin 557 00:25:53,480 --> 00:25:55,879 Speaker 10: does best is he has the pulse of his team 558 00:25:56,240 --> 00:25:59,480 Speaker 10: and he knows how to poking prod. Last team, Cam 559 00:25:59,520 --> 00:26:02,000 Speaker 10: Hayward was saying, he knows when to stir the pot 560 00:26:02,040 --> 00:26:04,040 Speaker 10: and when to poke the bear, and I think that 561 00:26:04,040 --> 00:26:06,480 Speaker 10: that's what he does with this team, is he keys 562 00:26:06,520 --> 00:26:09,600 Speaker 10: them up and he knows what buttons to push to 563 00:26:09,640 --> 00:26:12,640 Speaker 10: get them motivated. Another factor of that, also, I think, 564 00:26:12,800 --> 00:26:16,200 Speaker 10: is just the environment that's created in Pittsburgh on Monday 565 00:26:16,280 --> 00:26:19,760 Speaker 10: night when you have the insers in the parking lot 566 00:26:20,119 --> 00:26:23,680 Speaker 10: drinking those icy lights all day long, getting fired up. 567 00:26:24,119 --> 00:26:26,240 Speaker 10: They come in there with their terrible towels, and those 568 00:26:26,320 --> 00:26:29,760 Speaker 10: terrible towels are twirling and they play renegade and the 569 00:26:29,800 --> 00:26:31,960 Speaker 10: other team can hear it. So I think that the 570 00:26:32,119 --> 00:26:34,399 Speaker 10: environment and that's going to be a big factor in 571 00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:37,080 Speaker 10: this one, because this is going to be the Steelers' 572 00:26:37,200 --> 00:26:42,119 Speaker 10: first home playoff game at full capacity since the twenty 573 00:26:42,160 --> 00:26:45,280 Speaker 10: seven team season. So fans have been waiting a long 574 00:26:45,320 --> 00:26:47,560 Speaker 10: time for a playoff win. They've also been waiting a 575 00:26:47,560 --> 00:26:50,119 Speaker 10: long time just to see a playoff game here at 576 00:26:50,160 --> 00:26:51,080 Speaker 10: Akroshure Stadium. 577 00:26:51,320 --> 00:26:55,560 Speaker 1: Mike de Fabo final question. Let's say, let's do the 578 00:26:55,600 --> 00:27:01,920 Speaker 1: negative side, the pessimistic. Houston's defense suffocating. They hit Aaron 579 00:27:02,080 --> 00:27:05,399 Speaker 1: six to eight times, he gets beat up. You know, 580 00:27:05,440 --> 00:27:08,240 Speaker 1: it's a twenty three seven loss. You're a little outmanned. 581 00:27:08,560 --> 00:27:12,439 Speaker 1: This is an old, expensive defense. Is it possible? You know, 582 00:27:12,520 --> 00:27:14,959 Speaker 1: Aaron walks off the field and he just and by 583 00:27:15,000 --> 00:27:17,560 Speaker 1: the way, this wouldn't be on Aaron. Houston made it 584 00:27:17,640 --> 00:27:20,560 Speaker 1: rough for Stafford. They make it rough for everybody. But 585 00:27:20,600 --> 00:27:22,679 Speaker 1: it's just one of those nights where Aaron takes a 586 00:27:22,680 --> 00:27:26,359 Speaker 1: lot of hits, several sacks, can't move the chains. Is 587 00:27:26,400 --> 00:27:28,679 Speaker 1: it you think it's possible? Aaron would be like, listen, 588 00:27:28,760 --> 00:27:31,920 Speaker 1: what a great experience. I'm seacrest out. 589 00:27:32,119 --> 00:27:34,040 Speaker 3: It's over. Is that possible. 590 00:27:35,800 --> 00:27:36,760 Speaker 11: I think it's possible. 591 00:27:36,760 --> 00:27:39,120 Speaker 10: And what I'll tell you is, going into that Week 592 00:27:39,200 --> 00:27:42,040 Speaker 10: eighteen game against the Baltimore Ravens, we asked Aaron Rodgers 593 00:27:42,119 --> 00:27:44,600 Speaker 10: about his future and he could have said, look, I'm 594 00:27:44,640 --> 00:27:46,440 Speaker 10: focused only on this game at hand. 595 00:27:46,520 --> 00:27:48,919 Speaker 11: That's the only thing that has my attention. That's not 596 00:27:49,040 --> 00:27:49,560 Speaker 11: what he said. 597 00:27:49,880 --> 00:27:53,040 Speaker 10: What he said, and I'm paraphrasing him here, was after 598 00:27:53,080 --> 00:27:55,320 Speaker 10: the year, I'm going to be a free agent and 599 00:27:55,359 --> 00:27:59,040 Speaker 10: I'm going to have some options. And so my interpretation, 600 00:27:59,160 --> 00:28:01,480 Speaker 10: and always you're or have to be careful when you 601 00:28:01,480 --> 00:28:04,000 Speaker 10: try to interpret what Aaron Rodgers means or read between 602 00:28:04,000 --> 00:28:07,920 Speaker 10: the lines is Rogers is at least open to coming 603 00:28:08,000 --> 00:28:10,280 Speaker 10: back next year. And I think what that means is 604 00:28:10,640 --> 00:28:13,480 Speaker 10: it could be in Pittsburgh, it could be somewhere else. 605 00:28:13,560 --> 00:28:16,840 Speaker 10: You know, the Minnesota Vikings, their quarterback situation hasn't exactly 606 00:28:16,840 --> 00:28:18,800 Speaker 10: panned out his hope, and I think Aaron had at 607 00:28:18,880 --> 00:28:21,840 Speaker 10: least some interest in joining the Vikings. And I think 608 00:28:21,880 --> 00:28:25,200 Speaker 10: also retirement is a realistic possibility. So if I were 609 00:28:25,240 --> 00:28:29,760 Speaker 10: to put percentages on it, you know, and I'm speculating obviously, 610 00:28:30,080 --> 00:28:35,040 Speaker 10: I think maybe forty percent he retires, you know, maybe 611 00:28:35,200 --> 00:28:37,960 Speaker 10: thirty percent he's somewhere else, and maybe thirty percent he's 612 00:28:37,960 --> 00:28:40,280 Speaker 10: in Pittsburgh. And I think some of the thirty percent 613 00:28:40,280 --> 00:28:42,720 Speaker 10: in Pittsburgh has to do with what happens with Mike 614 00:28:42,760 --> 00:28:45,960 Speaker 10: Tomlin going forward. I can see no world where he's fired. 615 00:28:46,320 --> 00:28:48,720 Speaker 10: But I have wondered throughout the course of this year, 616 00:28:50,160 --> 00:28:53,200 Speaker 10: as he hears his own fans in his own stadium 617 00:28:53,320 --> 00:28:56,120 Speaker 10: chant to fire Tomlin, is there at least a part 618 00:28:56,160 --> 00:28:58,760 Speaker 10: of him that's thinking, how much longer do I want 619 00:28:58,760 --> 00:29:01,320 Speaker 10: to coach for a fan bab that no longer seems 620 00:29:01,360 --> 00:29:04,200 Speaker 10: to appreciate me. So I think all those factors are 621 00:29:04,200 --> 00:29:06,400 Speaker 10: going to be in play as we look at Aaron Rodgers' future, 622 00:29:06,480 --> 00:29:09,080 Speaker 10: Mike Tomlin's future, in the future of the Pittsburgh Steelers. 623 00:29:09,080 --> 00:29:12,280 Speaker 3: How many times does that happen? This year? The negative 624 00:29:12,560 --> 00:29:13,360 Speaker 3: Tomlin champs. 625 00:29:15,120 --> 00:29:17,000 Speaker 10: Really, it was only one time that I can ever 626 00:29:17,040 --> 00:29:20,520 Speaker 10: remember in my entire life, and I grew up in Latrop, Pennsylvania. 627 00:29:20,800 --> 00:29:24,240 Speaker 10: I've been to tons of Steelers games. Obviously, you hear 628 00:29:24,280 --> 00:29:27,600 Speaker 10: talk radio, there are calls for Mike Tomlin's job. You 629 00:29:27,720 --> 00:29:30,760 Speaker 10: read the newspaper or read an outlet like The Athletic, 630 00:29:31,040 --> 00:29:33,360 Speaker 10: there are going to be critical comments from Mike Tomlin, 631 00:29:33,640 --> 00:29:37,880 Speaker 10: but I've never heard it fans inside his own building 632 00:29:38,360 --> 00:29:41,880 Speaker 10: chanting fire Tomlin. And so that was something that I 633 00:29:41,880 --> 00:29:46,400 Speaker 10: think really brought things through ahead, and I think. 634 00:29:46,240 --> 00:29:47,920 Speaker 11: That there's a chance now. 635 00:29:48,000 --> 00:29:49,560 Speaker 10: On the flip side of that, I should also mention 636 00:29:50,200 --> 00:29:52,840 Speaker 10: Mike Tomlin is the ultimate competitor, and I think it's 637 00:29:52,880 --> 00:29:55,080 Speaker 10: part of his personality that back into a corner, he 638 00:29:55,120 --> 00:29:58,200 Speaker 10: wants to fight his way out of it, and he's 639 00:29:58,240 --> 00:29:58,680 Speaker 10: the guy. 640 00:29:58,600 --> 00:30:01,400 Speaker 11: Himself who says do not seek comfort. 641 00:30:01,800 --> 00:30:05,600 Speaker 10: And so really I think it's going to be interesting 642 00:30:05,680 --> 00:30:08,520 Speaker 10: if they are to lose tonight, what ends up happening 643 00:30:08,560 --> 00:30:11,000 Speaker 10: with tom and what he ultimately decides for his future. 644 00:30:11,000 --> 00:30:14,960 Speaker 11: But again, I see no world where he's fired. 645 00:30:15,040 --> 00:30:17,080 Speaker 10: I think that Mike Tomlin is the one that's going 646 00:30:17,080 --> 00:30:18,560 Speaker 10: to have the greatest saying where things go. 647 00:30:18,520 --> 00:30:23,440 Speaker 1: From here, Mike to Fable, the athletic, great stuff as always, Mike, Yeah. 648 00:30:23,320 --> 00:30:25,120 Speaker 11: Absolutely, thank you so much for having me. Colin. 649 00:30:25,520 --> 00:30:28,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think how it plays out tonight, you know, listen, 650 00:30:28,720 --> 00:30:33,040 Speaker 1: you could visualize Houston is so good at corner, so physical, 651 00:30:33,440 --> 00:30:36,120 Speaker 1: so hard to block on the edge. You could see 652 00:30:36,160 --> 00:30:38,360 Speaker 1: him at be twenty three to seven and just Aaron 653 00:30:38,520 --> 00:30:40,960 Speaker 1: is just can't get loose, you know what I mean, 654 00:30:41,080 --> 00:30:42,880 Speaker 1: like a couple of big shots down the field. 655 00:30:44,120 --> 00:30:45,840 Speaker 3: You know, it's just a cold night. You're taking a 656 00:30:45,840 --> 00:30:46,360 Speaker 3: lot of hits. 657 00:30:46,400 --> 00:30:49,120 Speaker 1: You get sacked three times, you get hit eight, and 658 00:30:49,160 --> 00:30:53,760 Speaker 1: it's frustrating. But they have played. It's pretty clear. This 659 00:30:53,960 --> 00:30:56,600 Speaker 1: was my first point with Mike that early in the season. 660 00:30:56,640 --> 00:30:59,160 Speaker 1: I'm like, you just can't generate enough offense. The defense 661 00:30:59,240 --> 00:31:01,960 Speaker 1: is old and expense, but they find ways to get 662 00:31:02,080 --> 00:31:09,720 Speaker 1: points somehow, some way. In games like tonight when you're like, 663 00:31:09,760 --> 00:31:12,160 Speaker 1: what are they going to score nine points? Three field goals? 664 00:31:12,400 --> 00:31:15,200 Speaker 1: They find ways to score. They win the field position game, 665 00:31:16,040 --> 00:31:21,800 Speaker 1: and when this one's decided, winner of this gets to 666 00:31:21,800 --> 00:31:23,560 Speaker 1: take on the New England Patriots. 667 00:31:24,840 --> 00:31:28,280 Speaker 7: So, Colin, they were three road winners wild card weekend. 668 00:31:28,360 --> 00:31:30,960 Speaker 7: I saw they were three total the previous three years. 669 00:31:31,400 --> 00:31:34,960 Speaker 7: How many you over under one and a half in 670 00:31:35,080 --> 00:31:37,440 Speaker 7: divisional weekend road teams getting the win. 671 00:31:37,680 --> 00:31:42,480 Speaker 6: So that would be Buffalo over ooh over, oh my, 672 00:31:42,920 --> 00:31:43,920 Speaker 6: that ransom Buffalo. 673 00:31:43,960 --> 00:31:48,280 Speaker 1: When you don't have dominant teams dynasties playing at home, 674 00:31:49,120 --> 00:31:53,360 Speaker 1: that's when the road dogs win. Yep, all right, we're 675 00:31:53,360 --> 00:31:57,760 Speaker 1: done Matt Hasselbeck. How about Danny Parkins, Mike the Fable? 676 00:31:57,880 --> 00:32:01,320 Speaker 1: All good, First things first, right around the corner,