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 --> 00:00:09,600 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 --> 00:00:27,760 Speaker 2: You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. 8 00:00:29,800 --> 00:00:34,960 Speaker 1: Here's the seeding right now in the NFC, the playoff picture, 9 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:38,120 Speaker 1: and I think the only question and I'll keep our 10 00:00:38,200 --> 00:00:42,320 Speaker 1: radio listeners in formats, Let's show the NFC playoff picture. 11 00:00:43,360 --> 00:00:47,160 Speaker 1: Rams have clinched a playoff berth one seed, Chicago two, 12 00:00:48,440 --> 00:00:52,120 Speaker 1: Philadelphia three Bears beat them in Philly, Tampa's reeling four, 13 00:00:52,680 --> 00:00:56,280 Speaker 1: Seattle's the best fifth wildcard seed in a long time, 14 00:00:56,920 --> 00:01:01,080 Speaker 1: San Francisco maybe second best, and the Green Bay at seven. 15 00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:05,200 Speaker 1: The only question I have is can Green Bay now 16 00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:08,600 Speaker 1: with Micah Christian Watson, Tucker Kraft out, this is going 17 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:13,360 Speaker 1: to be a real test for Matt Lafleur and Jordan Love. 18 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:16,640 Speaker 1: This is a real test. Now can Detroit, which, by 19 00:01:16,680 --> 00:01:18,920 Speaker 1: the way, for three quarters of that game looked like 20 00:01:18,959 --> 00:01:21,640 Speaker 1: they had the number of the Rams in LA. Can 21 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:25,000 Speaker 1: Detroit now with a better roster than green Bay due 22 00:01:25,040 --> 00:01:28,840 Speaker 1: to the Craft Watson, Michael Parsons injury. Can Detroit come 23 00:01:28,920 --> 00:01:32,200 Speaker 1: roaring back? I don't know what Detroit schedules not in 24 00:01:32,200 --> 00:01:34,840 Speaker 1: front of me and beat green Bay. I would rather 25 00:01:34,959 --> 00:01:38,520 Speaker 1: face green Bay today. I didn't feel like this a 26 00:01:38,600 --> 00:01:42,280 Speaker 1: week ago without the injuries. I'd rather face green Bay 27 00:01:42,319 --> 00:01:46,560 Speaker 1: today than Detroit with all that firepower Gibbs the O 28 00:01:46,720 --> 00:01:50,200 Speaker 1: line armor on Saint Brown, Hutchison off the edge. So 29 00:01:50,400 --> 00:01:53,800 Speaker 1: Detroit with green Bay's injuries, to me, would be the 30 00:01:53,800 --> 00:01:57,680 Speaker 1: tougher matchup for anybody in the NFC playoff picture. Here's 31 00:01:57,760 --> 00:02:01,520 Speaker 1: the AFC playoff picture, which doesn't feel nearly as good 32 00:02:01,520 --> 00:02:05,120 Speaker 1: at the top. I like Denver, they have clinched a playoff. 33 00:02:05,160 --> 00:02:08,600 Speaker 1: Berth New England. I still feel they're kind of in 34 00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:13,280 Speaker 1: to rebuild it too. Jacksonville, I know, I know. I 35 00:02:13,280 --> 00:02:17,160 Speaker 1: can't that division. I can't trust them. Pittsburgh. I mean, 36 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:21,080 Speaker 1: do anybody like Pittsburgh Chargers. I love them. If they 37 00:02:21,160 --> 00:02:23,240 Speaker 1: had both their offensive tackles, I think they could win 38 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:27,240 Speaker 1: the Super Bowl. Buffalo don't trust their defense. I tell you. 39 00:02:27,960 --> 00:02:31,720 Speaker 1: After Denver, Houston at the seventh seed is the one 40 00:02:31,720 --> 00:02:35,000 Speaker 1: I trust because I know that defense and CJ. Stroud 41 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:38,920 Speaker 1: with time can beat anybody in the sport, including the Rams, 42 00:02:39,760 --> 00:02:43,600 Speaker 1: the Colts. Fun story, forget it. Baltimore have to go, 43 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:46,520 Speaker 1: have to sweep win rest of the games. They feel 44 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:50,640 Speaker 1: a bit broken. Here's Sean Payton on clinching a playoff spot. 45 00:02:51,760 --> 00:02:57,160 Speaker 3: It's nice to clinch a playoff berth. You know, gold 46 00:02:57,200 --> 00:03:00,440 Speaker 3: one is trying to go win your division. Goal to 47 00:03:00,680 --> 00:03:03,160 Speaker 3: is try to get the best seed, and then goal 48 00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:05,440 Speaker 3: three is, you know, try to win a world championship. 49 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:10,600 Speaker 3: And so we still haven't really accomplished won two or three. 50 00:03:11,200 --> 00:03:16,640 Speaker 4: So remember one is when the division. So we're still 51 00:03:16,639 --> 00:03:22,040 Speaker 4: going for the record to show you the job. Sean 52 00:03:22,160 --> 00:03:27,440 Speaker 4: Payton is done. Russell Wilson is still on Denver's cap sheet. 53 00:03:29,160 --> 00:03:32,720 Speaker 4: I mean, this seems inconceivable. How do they have a 54 00:03:32,800 --> 00:03:36,840 Speaker 4: roster this good on both sides? How are they the 55 00:03:36,920 --> 00:03:41,320 Speaker 4: number one seed in the mahomes Borough Josh Allen. 56 00:03:42,520 --> 00:03:47,320 Speaker 1: Side? That is all time coaching. Sean Payton can be 57 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:52,120 Speaker 1: a little gruff, a little outspoken. Guy's great first ballot. 58 00:03:52,160 --> 00:03:53,200 Speaker 1: Guy Guy is great. 59 00:03:53,520 --> 00:03:56,120 Speaker 2: Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays 60 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:59,680 Speaker 2: and Noone Easter not a Empacific on Fox Sports Radio 61 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:02,160 Speaker 2: one and the iHeartRadio app. 62 00:04:02,280 --> 00:04:05,320 Speaker 1: Hey is Covino and Rich from Fox Sports Radio Now. 63 00:04:05,360 --> 00:04:07,760 Speaker 5: In addition to hearing us live weekdays from five to 64 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:11,040 Speaker 5: seven pm Eastern two to fourth Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, 65 00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:14,600 Speaker 5: We're excited to announce a brand new YouTube channel for 66 00:04:14,640 --> 00:04:14,960 Speaker 5: the show. 67 00:04:15,080 --> 00:04:15,920 Speaker 1: Yep, that's right. 68 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:18,600 Speaker 5: You can now watch Covino and Rich live on YouTube 69 00:04:18,680 --> 00:04:19,240 Speaker 5: every day. 70 00:04:19,320 --> 00:04:19,919 Speaker 6: All you gotta do. 71 00:04:20,200 --> 00:04:23,839 Speaker 5: Search Covino and Rich FSR on YouTube again, go to 72 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:29,600 Speaker 5: YouTube search Covino and Rich FSR. Check us out on YouTube, Subscribe, 73 00:04:29,839 --> 00:04:32,919 Speaker 5: hit that thumbs up icon, comment away, j Mickle the. 74 00:04:32,960 --> 00:04:36,880 Speaker 7: News, No, no, turn on the news. 75 00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:39,400 Speaker 2: This is the Herdline News. 76 00:04:39,720 --> 00:04:42,120 Speaker 6: All right, Colin, Let's start with the game of yesterday. 77 00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:47,040 Speaker 8: Oh it was a classic Bill's thirty five Patriots thirty one. 78 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:49,600 Speaker 8: I was watching this and it was twenty one dozing Patriots, 79 00:04:49,600 --> 00:04:51,880 Speaker 8: and I remember I mentioned I love the Bills here 80 00:04:52,279 --> 00:04:54,400 Speaker 8: and I'm like, oh my gosh, what's going on? 81 00:04:55,600 --> 00:04:58,520 Speaker 6: And what a comeback on? They made a key adjustment 82 00:04:58,560 --> 00:05:00,160 Speaker 6: in the second half. You know what they did. They 83 00:05:00,200 --> 00:05:02,400 Speaker 6: just said, screw it, We're gonna blitz the hell out 84 00:05:02,400 --> 00:05:02,840 Speaker 6: of Drake May. 85 00:05:02,880 --> 00:05:05,320 Speaker 8: They turned up their blitz percentage. May was a little 86 00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:07,960 Speaker 8: rattled and they did some interesting stuff. They would drop 87 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:12,159 Speaker 8: Bosa from his rushing into coverage and it confused May. 88 00:05:12,760 --> 00:05:15,040 Speaker 8: I think McDermot was a stroke of genius in the 89 00:05:15,080 --> 00:05:19,440 Speaker 8: second half. After the game, Stefan Diggs talked about hell listen, 90 00:05:19,440 --> 00:05:21,280 Speaker 8: this was a needed result for the Patriots. 91 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:23,719 Speaker 7: Interesting, So are you playing a team like that? 92 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:26,599 Speaker 8: They played from behind, they used to play it from 93 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:28,080 Speaker 8: and fight you back and Klawn. 94 00:05:28,120 --> 00:05:30,520 Speaker 7: They've been the gup for some years and they led 95 00:05:30,640 --> 00:05:31,559 Speaker 7: his division for a while. 96 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:33,840 Speaker 9: So in order to get over that home you know, 97 00:05:33,839 --> 00:05:36,200 Speaker 9: I play sixty minute football and executed out of hot level. 98 00:05:37,680 --> 00:05:40,640 Speaker 1: Yeah. I think he's right. It's almost like before March madness, 99 00:05:41,120 --> 00:05:43,640 Speaker 1: Like you know, if you're undefeated, you're like you know what, 100 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:46,640 Speaker 1: or you're a really great team. It's like we need 101 00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:49,920 Speaker 1: some close games. I do feel like New England had 102 00:05:49,920 --> 00:05:52,200 Speaker 1: a bit of a charm life, you know you and I. 103 00:05:52,279 --> 00:05:53,960 Speaker 1: One of the reasons I picked them as a shocking 104 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:56,200 Speaker 1: team is that the easiest schedule. The niners in them 105 00:05:56,240 --> 00:05:59,159 Speaker 1: had an easy schedule, and I think it's helped both teams. 106 00:05:59,279 --> 00:06:02,440 Speaker 1: Walter good at help both teams. I also think they're 107 00:06:02,520 --> 00:06:05,080 Speaker 1: using backups on the left side of the offensive line, 108 00:06:05,200 --> 00:06:09,279 Speaker 1: so that blitzing stuff was doubly effective. And you know, 109 00:06:09,960 --> 00:06:12,520 Speaker 1: let's give McDermott and Buffalo credit. Go on the road 110 00:06:12,600 --> 00:06:16,800 Speaker 1: you want to shoot out those aren't easy. And I 111 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:19,280 Speaker 1: just can't wait to see Buffalo in the playoffs because 112 00:06:19,279 --> 00:06:20,880 Speaker 1: this is the year. It's wide open. 113 00:06:21,360 --> 00:06:21,640 Speaker 6: Yeah. 114 00:06:21,680 --> 00:06:24,159 Speaker 8: So after it was twenty one nothing, the Bills scored 115 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:27,320 Speaker 8: touchdowns on five straight drives com yeap By in a row. 116 00:06:27,680 --> 00:06:29,680 Speaker 6: And there are some numbers I did not realize. 117 00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:33,359 Speaker 8: The Patriots are dead lasting red zone stoppage defensively, you 118 00:06:33,400 --> 00:06:35,440 Speaker 8: get in the red zone, it's like touchdown after touchdown. 119 00:06:35,480 --> 00:06:38,680 Speaker 8: That's not going to bode well for the playoffs. Final note, Colin, 120 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:41,360 Speaker 8: buy some advanced metrics. The Bills are the best second 121 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:44,120 Speaker 8: half team in the NFL. They just steamroll folks. They 122 00:06:44,160 --> 00:06:44,720 Speaker 8: put her around. 123 00:06:44,720 --> 00:06:44,840 Speaker 1: Now. 124 00:06:44,880 --> 00:06:46,320 Speaker 6: I don't know if it's bad game. 125 00:06:46,120 --> 00:06:49,080 Speaker 8: Plans for McDermott or Josh Allen just turning it up 126 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:52,160 Speaker 8: a notch, But in the second half they are steamrolling folks. 127 00:06:52,960 --> 00:06:53,440 Speaker 2: I know that. 128 00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:56,799 Speaker 8: You know, they don't have any game breakers outside of Allen. 129 00:06:57,120 --> 00:06:58,960 Speaker 8: I think this is the most dangerous team in the AFC. 130 00:06:59,080 --> 00:07:02,400 Speaker 8: I would put Houston second. Can you ride with that 131 00:07:02,520 --> 00:07:02,680 Speaker 8: or not? 132 00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:03,000 Speaker 9: Really? 133 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:06,400 Speaker 1: You like bo Nicks, Well, I think Denver's got a 134 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:09,240 Speaker 1: much much better roster and the game's gonna be in 135 00:07:09,279 --> 00:07:12,120 Speaker 1: Denver and I get the better head coach. I'm telling you, 136 00:07:12,160 --> 00:07:15,160 Speaker 1: Sean Payton, you watched that game against Green Bay yesterday. 137 00:07:16,160 --> 00:07:21,240 Speaker 1: Denver was deceptive and clever. I mean they Denver does 138 00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:22,200 Speaker 1: not have a hole. 139 00:07:22,520 --> 00:07:25,400 Speaker 8: They were down twenty three to fourteen, like the Packers 140 00:07:25,680 --> 00:07:27,600 Speaker 8: rolled them to any injuries. 141 00:07:27,160 --> 00:07:28,840 Speaker 1: At to an excellent team. 142 00:07:28,960 --> 00:07:31,360 Speaker 6: Yeah, I mean Packer, Oh, the Packers. He gets me 143 00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:31,800 Speaker 6: so sad. 144 00:07:31,880 --> 00:07:33,840 Speaker 8: So just hypothetically, I'm curious where are you. 145 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:34,360 Speaker 6: Standing on this? 146 00:07:34,560 --> 00:07:37,360 Speaker 8: Texans go to the Patriots in the first round, seven 147 00:07:37,440 --> 00:07:39,760 Speaker 8: verses two? Who you have favored in that game? That 148 00:07:39,880 --> 00:07:41,160 Speaker 8: might be like close to a pickup. 149 00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:45,280 Speaker 1: I'll take the under and Houston would probably get a 150 00:07:45,280 --> 00:07:47,160 Speaker 1: point or two. I'd probably take Houston. 151 00:07:47,280 --> 00:07:49,880 Speaker 6: Yeah, that's just that's a tough matchup for the young quarterback. 152 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:52,920 Speaker 8: All right, let's move on to Jackson Dart. I think 153 00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:55,120 Speaker 8: you had the joke earlier this season. The guy's paying rent. 154 00:07:55,160 --> 00:07:57,200 Speaker 8: He spent so much time in the blue tent. Colin 155 00:07:57,400 --> 00:08:00,720 Speaker 8: unbelievable stat He was in the Blue tent again yesterday, 156 00:08:01,120 --> 00:08:05,600 Speaker 8: the fifth time in ten games this season including the preseason, 157 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:08,480 Speaker 8: so fifty percent of his appearances he's going. 158 00:08:08,360 --> 00:08:09,720 Speaker 6: To the Blue tench for concussions. 159 00:08:10,840 --> 00:08:13,520 Speaker 8: After the game, Dart was surprised he had to get 160 00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:14,080 Speaker 8: checked out. 161 00:08:15,680 --> 00:08:18,000 Speaker 4: This definitely wasn't the first time that I've been surprised 162 00:08:18,200 --> 00:08:21,680 Speaker 4: that I've had to come on, but I was definitely surprised. 163 00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:26,440 Speaker 7: Just I feel like it was that big of a 164 00:08:26,520 --> 00:08:27,000 Speaker 7: hit at all. 165 00:08:27,360 --> 00:08:29,680 Speaker 9: I mean, you don't just see people getting taken out 166 00:08:29,680 --> 00:08:32,800 Speaker 9: of the game like that, So I definitely feel like 167 00:08:32,840 --> 00:08:35,840 Speaker 9: there's a there's a sensitivity for some reason. 168 00:08:37,160 --> 00:08:40,000 Speaker 8: I mean, listen, I like this guy. I think he's cool, right, 169 00:08:40,240 --> 00:08:43,800 Speaker 8: he seems like a cool guy. Are you getting any 170 00:08:43,920 --> 00:08:45,000 Speaker 8: Manzell vibes from. 171 00:08:44,960 --> 00:08:45,600 Speaker 1: Him at the podium? 172 00:08:45,640 --> 00:08:48,120 Speaker 8: No? No, no, no, okay, no, he's not much better. I mean, 173 00:08:48,120 --> 00:08:50,440 Speaker 8: he's just he's swagged out. He's got the Louis Vuitton hat, 174 00:08:50,480 --> 00:08:51,360 Speaker 8: the thick necklaces. 175 00:08:51,679 --> 00:08:52,520 Speaker 1: I'm sure you've seen. 176 00:08:52,440 --> 00:08:54,080 Speaker 6: He's dating all these ig batties. 177 00:08:54,240 --> 00:08:57,959 Speaker 8: I'm talking like really really attractive women, and you're like, oh, he's. 178 00:08:57,880 --> 00:08:59,359 Speaker 6: Enjoying life as a celebrity. 179 00:09:00,600 --> 00:09:06,080 Speaker 1: Now, I thought Johnny Manzel let his concern about being 180 00:09:06,160 --> 00:09:08,040 Speaker 1: cool get in the way of his football. I don't 181 00:09:08,040 --> 00:09:10,600 Speaker 1: think Jackson Dart does. I don't care that he's cool 182 00:09:10,640 --> 00:09:15,040 Speaker 1: and loves football. I think Jackson Dart plays for the record. 183 00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:17,360 Speaker 1: Let me defend Jackson dark and I remember, I didn't 184 00:09:17,360 --> 00:09:19,680 Speaker 1: think he was a first round quarterback. I'm wrong, I'm wrong. 185 00:09:20,600 --> 00:09:23,520 Speaker 1: The thing I like about Jackson Dart is young quarterbacks 186 00:09:23,520 --> 00:09:27,680 Speaker 1: make mistakes. There are certain things I will accept. One 187 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:29,840 Speaker 1: of them is you're gonna have a hard time reading 188 00:09:29,920 --> 00:09:32,840 Speaker 1: defenses your first two years. The like it's hard, You're 189 00:09:32,840 --> 00:09:36,000 Speaker 1: gonna throw some picks. I'm okay with young quarterbacks throwing 190 00:09:36,040 --> 00:09:38,560 Speaker 1: picks here three to four. You got to bring those down. 191 00:09:38,880 --> 00:09:42,480 Speaker 1: The second thing is I like young quarterbacks to use 192 00:09:42,559 --> 00:09:46,720 Speaker 1: their feet while they're learning defenses. A lot of the times, 193 00:09:46,800 --> 00:09:49,800 Speaker 1: Jackson Dart is saying this is the only way I'm 194 00:09:49,840 --> 00:09:51,480 Speaker 1: gonna move chains. On this team, they don't have a 195 00:09:51,520 --> 00:09:56,320 Speaker 1: great receiving corp. So I don't love that he's in 196 00:09:56,360 --> 00:09:59,520 Speaker 1: a tent more than an ARII manager. I don't love that, 197 00:10:00,559 --> 00:10:04,200 Speaker 1: but I will say he's doing it for the right reasons, 198 00:10:04,240 --> 00:10:07,640 Speaker 1: which is we're missing our number one guy. We're missing Scataboo. 199 00:10:07,720 --> 00:10:10,000 Speaker 1: I'm trying to move the chain. I defended Lamar on this. 200 00:10:10,440 --> 00:10:13,240 Speaker 1: I've defended Herbert on this. Your first couple of years 201 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:15,600 Speaker 1: in the leagues, dude, you got to move the chains 202 00:10:15,880 --> 00:10:18,840 Speaker 1: by any means possible. Young body, heals better than a 203 00:10:18,880 --> 00:10:22,320 Speaker 1: thirty year old body. I think he's a franchise quarterback. 204 00:10:22,400 --> 00:10:24,280 Speaker 1: He's better than I thought. I gotta give up. I 205 00:10:24,320 --> 00:10:25,280 Speaker 1: gotta give it up to him. 206 00:10:25,360 --> 00:10:28,800 Speaker 8: Damn, you're handing now franchise quarterback tags like Santa hands. 207 00:10:28,559 --> 00:10:30,720 Speaker 6: Out Christmas presents. Are you sure? 208 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:32,880 Speaker 8: I mean, there's a debate in New York Giants world 209 00:10:32,920 --> 00:10:35,120 Speaker 8: right now. It's the Giants get the number one pick. 210 00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:37,880 Speaker 8: Do you take Mendoza? 211 00:10:38,040 --> 00:10:41,200 Speaker 1: I think absolutely, I take Mendoes Okay, six? 212 00:10:41,480 --> 00:10:41,800 Speaker 3: Five? 213 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:46,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean Mendoza is an a plus prospect. 214 00:10:46,840 --> 00:10:48,680 Speaker 8: But how do you take him? If you think Deck 215 00:10:48,840 --> 00:10:50,320 Speaker 8: Dart is a franchise quarterback. 216 00:10:51,640 --> 00:10:53,640 Speaker 1: If she ever watched the NBA, it's called upgrader. You 217 00:10:53,720 --> 00:10:57,360 Speaker 1: a better star. I mean, I like Jackson Dart. Somebody 218 00:10:57,840 --> 00:11:00,920 Speaker 1: would absolutely give you either a one or two or 219 00:11:01,200 --> 00:11:04,120 Speaker 1: a three and a four for Jackson Dart. Mendoza is 220 00:11:04,160 --> 00:11:09,760 Speaker 1: a every three or four year prospect size, arm, grateful, humble, 221 00:11:10,400 --> 00:11:14,280 Speaker 1: great family, like Mendoza as a whole. Last year me 222 00:11:15,040 --> 00:11:17,840 Speaker 1: a lot of people didn't like Shadouer. Only one team 223 00:11:17,920 --> 00:11:20,320 Speaker 1: moved up for Jackson Dart That would Last year was 224 00:11:20,360 --> 00:11:24,640 Speaker 1: a very mid year for college quarterback and that. 225 00:11:24,640 --> 00:11:27,800 Speaker 8: Dovetails into our final story, which is mister Mendoza wins 226 00:11:27,840 --> 00:11:30,120 Speaker 8: the Heisman Trophy Saturday night in a bit of a 227 00:11:30,240 --> 00:11:31,320 Speaker 8: landslide Colin. 228 00:11:31,160 --> 00:11:32,000 Speaker 6: It wasn't even close. 229 00:11:32,360 --> 00:11:35,840 Speaker 8: The guy's had an unbelievable college football story. He was 230 00:11:35,880 --> 00:11:39,560 Speaker 8: at Cal, He's out Indiana. He wins the Heisman. They're 231 00:11:39,559 --> 00:11:44,040 Speaker 8: the number one seed. He rolled over Diego Pavia of Vandy, 232 00:11:44,080 --> 00:11:47,080 Speaker 8: who was not thrilled and put some silly stuff on 233 00:11:47,160 --> 00:11:47,800 Speaker 8: social media. 234 00:11:48,280 --> 00:11:49,800 Speaker 6: Here's Mendoza after the victory. 235 00:11:51,400 --> 00:11:54,040 Speaker 10: To my lineman who protected me, every receiver and tight 236 00:11:54,120 --> 00:11:55,920 Speaker 10: end that bailed me out and made me look good, 237 00:11:56,280 --> 00:11:58,640 Speaker 10: to every running back who fought for more yards, and 238 00:11:58,679 --> 00:12:01,360 Speaker 10: to our defense they gave us the heart, swagger and 239 00:12:01,480 --> 00:12:05,679 Speaker 10: more second chances than we definitely deserved. This trophy might 240 00:12:05,720 --> 00:12:07,800 Speaker 10: have my name on it, but it belongs to all 241 00:12:07,840 --> 00:12:08,080 Speaker 10: of you. 242 00:12:08,360 --> 00:12:09,120 Speaker 7: It belongs the. 243 00:12:09,080 --> 00:12:11,840 Speaker 10: First time in Bloomington, playing in front of who's your 244 00:12:11,920 --> 00:12:16,319 Speaker 10: nation is one of the greatest privileges of my life. 245 00:12:16,160 --> 00:12:19,520 Speaker 1: I every general manager in the league is on the 246 00:12:19,559 --> 00:12:23,920 Speaker 1: phone now, anybody want my good quarterback? That kid is 247 00:12:24,080 --> 00:12:28,400 Speaker 1: app I've said this most great quarterbacks. One of the 248 00:12:28,440 --> 00:12:30,680 Speaker 1: things I loved about Andrew Locke a little bit of 249 00:12:30,679 --> 00:12:37,480 Speaker 1: a nerd. I am, okay, my quarterback not being cool. Now, 250 00:12:37,520 --> 00:12:39,800 Speaker 1: by the time you're worth three hundred million, you know 251 00:12:40,880 --> 00:12:44,360 Speaker 1: you could be a little cool then. But I've seen 252 00:12:44,400 --> 00:12:48,520 Speaker 1: this kid twice against Ohio State and Penn State and 253 00:12:48,600 --> 00:12:51,800 Speaker 1: those Ohio State's defense and their secondary is the best 254 00:12:51,800 --> 00:12:55,760 Speaker 1: I've seen in years. You and Indiana's got good players, 255 00:12:55,760 --> 00:12:59,280 Speaker 1: but this is a plus plus prospect. 256 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:02,199 Speaker 8: Anything about in my love You don't see the happy 257 00:13:02,200 --> 00:13:04,680 Speaker 8: feet in the pocket getting nervous. He sees and I 258 00:13:04,720 --> 00:13:08,319 Speaker 8: know this sounds silly. He's very smart, like incredibly, he's 259 00:13:08,320 --> 00:13:10,520 Speaker 8: on his second business school. That's the kind of guy 260 00:13:10,559 --> 00:13:13,280 Speaker 8: who he's not nervous. Nothing rattles him. You see him 261 00:13:13,280 --> 00:13:13,720 Speaker 8: in the pocket. 262 00:13:13,760 --> 00:13:14,160 Speaker 6: I don't know. 263 00:13:14,240 --> 00:13:16,800 Speaker 8: I'm very curious to see what he does in the playoff. 264 00:13:18,240 --> 00:13:20,400 Speaker 8: I don't see why they can't win the national championship call. 265 00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:22,240 Speaker 8: I know that defensive loss they have all they can. 266 00:13:22,520 --> 00:13:22,800 Speaker 2: They can. 267 00:13:22,960 --> 00:13:25,160 Speaker 1: I mean one of the things that hurts them. They 268 00:13:25,240 --> 00:13:28,040 Speaker 1: lost a great edge, yeah to injury, and they may 269 00:13:28,120 --> 00:13:32,079 Speaker 1: face Ohio State again, and Ohio State won't be coming 270 00:13:32,120 --> 00:13:35,560 Speaker 1: off a Michigan win. So I would take Ohio State 271 00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:40,880 Speaker 1: in a rematch. But somebody asked me this weekend, who 272 00:13:40,880 --> 00:13:43,560 Speaker 1: do you like in the Natty? And I said, all 273 00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:45,760 Speaker 1: I know is I think Ohio State in Indiana the 274 00:13:45,760 --> 00:13:48,400 Speaker 1: two best teams I've seen, and George's third. After that, 275 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:49,960 Speaker 1: you guys can argue, and by. 276 00:13:49,840 --> 00:13:51,839 Speaker 6: A mile, Indiana has the best quarterback of those three. 277 00:13:51,960 --> 00:13:55,480 Speaker 8: Sorry, no disrespect to stock Gunner or saying, but me 278 00:13:55,600 --> 00:13:56,600 Speaker 8: knows is way better. 279 00:13:56,400 --> 00:14:00,760 Speaker 1: Than this Guy's incredibly easy, got to root for God, 280 00:14:00,800 --> 00:14:06,920 Speaker 1: what a story the Vanderbilt guy. You can have Jmack 281 00:14:06,960 --> 00:14:07,480 Speaker 1: with the news. 282 00:14:08,559 --> 00:14:12,440 Speaker 2: Well that's the news, and thanks for stopping by the lie. 283 00:14:12,520 --> 00:14:16,560 Speaker 1: You don't have the judgment to be respectful after losing 284 00:14:16,600 --> 00:14:20,080 Speaker 1: the Heisman. What do I think I'm getting in the 285 00:14:20,120 --> 00:14:22,440 Speaker 1: fourth quarter of an NFL game that's tied and you 286 00:14:22,440 --> 00:14:27,080 Speaker 1: have the ball like you're people tell you what they 287 00:14:27,080 --> 00:14:30,200 Speaker 1: are and who they are, And that was not good. 288 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:33,840 Speaker 1: He came back and apologized not good. Uh, We're going 289 00:14:33,840 --> 00:14:39,320 Speaker 1: to Pittsburgh Steelers tonight hosting Miami. What are we to 290 00:14:39,400 --> 00:14:42,400 Speaker 1: make of Mike Tomlin's future? What are we to make 291 00:14:42,400 --> 00:14:46,720 Speaker 1: of the Steelers who look like the weakest division leading team? 292 00:14:47,040 --> 00:14:48,280 Speaker 1: We are live It's the Herd. 293 00:14:48,560 --> 00:14:51,200 Speaker 2: Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays 294 00:14:51,200 --> 00:14:53,160 Speaker 2: and noon Easter not a Empacific. 295 00:14:55,880 --> 00:14:58,800 Speaker 1: Well, Mike the Fabo covers the Pittsburgh Steelers at the 296 00:14:58,840 --> 00:15:01,640 Speaker 1: Athletic formerly at the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, and I love 297 00:15:01,680 --> 00:15:03,560 Speaker 1: when we bring people on who have their feet on 298 00:15:03,600 --> 00:15:05,840 Speaker 1: the ground covering the team. And let's bring him on live, 299 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:10,360 Speaker 1: Mike de Fabo. So you know, there's a lot of 300 00:15:10,400 --> 00:15:13,480 Speaker 1: times I'll hear stuff and it's like, well, I mean, 301 00:15:13,520 --> 00:15:19,080 Speaker 1: it's it's conjecture, a conjecture, it's it's it's Internet. It's 302 00:15:19,080 --> 00:15:23,960 Speaker 1: not terribly accurate. Mike Tomlin. My question has always been, 303 00:15:24,720 --> 00:15:27,200 Speaker 1: if you're gonna have the most expensive defense, then it 304 00:15:27,240 --> 00:15:30,120 Speaker 1: has to be good. And can you solve the running 305 00:15:30,160 --> 00:15:34,960 Speaker 1: game once in the next seven years? How is how 306 00:15:35,080 --> 00:15:38,040 Speaker 1: is he viewing? And they just don't fire coaches, so 307 00:15:38,160 --> 00:15:44,080 Speaker 1: I would guess Mike his job is one hundred percent safe. 308 00:15:44,520 --> 00:15:45,520 Speaker 1: Or is that overstating it. 309 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:49,680 Speaker 9: Yeah, I mean with Mike Tomlin, the conversation is there's 310 00:15:49,720 --> 00:15:52,960 Speaker 9: a very big difference between his approval rating and his 311 00:15:53,120 --> 00:15:56,280 Speaker 9: job security. His approval rating right now in Pittsburgh has 312 00:15:56,320 --> 00:15:58,680 Speaker 9: never been lower. You look at what happened two weeks 313 00:15:58,680 --> 00:16:01,760 Speaker 9: ago at Akrocer Stadium. I believe that fans came to 314 00:16:01,800 --> 00:16:04,440 Speaker 9: the stadium and to that game to boom Mike Tomlin 315 00:16:04,680 --> 00:16:07,760 Speaker 9: and to chant fire Tomlin. That's where this fan base 316 00:16:07,840 --> 00:16:10,960 Speaker 9: is at after not winning a playoff game since January 317 00:16:11,040 --> 00:16:13,960 Speaker 9: of twenty twenty seven of twenty seventeen, and if they 318 00:16:13,960 --> 00:16:16,040 Speaker 9: don't win a playoff game this year, it'll be nine 319 00:16:16,080 --> 00:16:20,120 Speaker 9: consecutive years without a playoff win. But like I mentioned, 320 00:16:20,160 --> 00:16:23,720 Speaker 9: there's a big difference between approval rating and job security. 321 00:16:23,880 --> 00:16:26,760 Speaker 9: Mike Tomlin is signed through the twenty twenty seven season. 322 00:16:27,040 --> 00:16:28,880 Speaker 9: Now there's an option year with all of that, so 323 00:16:28,960 --> 00:16:31,240 Speaker 9: twenty twenty six could be his last year. But the 324 00:16:31,240 --> 00:16:35,480 Speaker 9: Steelers do not fire coaches, especially a guy like Mike Tomlin, 325 00:16:35,520 --> 00:16:38,160 Speaker 9: who's one of the highest pid coaches in all of 326 00:16:38,160 --> 00:16:42,000 Speaker 9: professional sports with the reported salary of sixteen million dollars 327 00:16:42,040 --> 00:16:44,800 Speaker 9: per year. So if there is going to be any 328 00:16:44,920 --> 00:16:48,800 Speaker 9: kind of breakup. I strongly believe that Mike Tomlin himself 329 00:16:48,880 --> 00:16:52,080 Speaker 9: is going to be the one that has a very 330 00:16:52,120 --> 00:16:55,040 Speaker 9: significant say in this, because he would either have to 331 00:16:55,120 --> 00:16:59,320 Speaker 9: waive a no trade clause or decide after hearing fire 332 00:16:59,360 --> 00:17:03,360 Speaker 9: Tomlin chanin and listening to criticism from the media, maybe 333 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:05,120 Speaker 9: he will decide at some point that he doesn't want 334 00:17:05,119 --> 00:17:07,240 Speaker 9: to continue to coach in a city that doesn't appreciate 335 00:17:07,320 --> 00:17:09,679 Speaker 9: him any longer. But given the way the Steelers do 336 00:17:09,760 --> 00:17:12,240 Speaker 9: business and the way the Rooney family does business, I 337 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:14,880 Speaker 9: wouldn't expect them to pay a coach like Mike Tomlin 338 00:17:14,920 --> 00:17:17,920 Speaker 9: not to coach Aaron Rodgers. 339 00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:21,359 Speaker 1: How is it viewed? It feels pretty successful he and 340 00:17:21,400 --> 00:17:25,520 Speaker 1: the DK metcalf pairing meh. But Aaron feels like all 341 00:17:25,600 --> 00:17:31,320 Speaker 1: things considered, no run game O line remains okay. How's 342 00:17:31,359 --> 00:17:34,560 Speaker 1: it viewed in Pittsburgh? Yeah, I would agree with you. 343 00:17:34,600 --> 00:17:36,080 Speaker 9: I think that if the Steelers had to do it 344 00:17:36,119 --> 00:17:39,040 Speaker 9: over again, I think that they would wait out Aaron 345 00:17:39,080 --> 00:17:42,160 Speaker 9: Rodgers and ultimately sign him. I mean, when he was signed, 346 00:17:42,400 --> 00:17:45,480 Speaker 9: the formula was supposed to be that people said, well, 347 00:17:45,480 --> 00:17:47,600 Speaker 9: Aaron Rodgers might not be what he once was, but 348 00:17:47,680 --> 00:17:49,880 Speaker 9: he won't need to be because he'll be supported by 349 00:17:50,160 --> 00:17:54,640 Speaker 9: the NFL's highest aid defense and an offense that has 350 00:17:55,119 --> 00:17:57,360 Speaker 9: a coordinated Arthur Smith who wants to run the football 351 00:17:57,600 --> 00:18:01,800 Speaker 9: and made repeated investments into their offensive line, and none 352 00:18:01,800 --> 00:18:04,679 Speaker 9: of those things have been true. This defense that was 353 00:18:04,880 --> 00:18:07,480 Speaker 9: billed as the highest paid defense. You know, if you 354 00:18:07,520 --> 00:18:09,640 Speaker 9: pay the most, you should get the best, and they 355 00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:12,879 Speaker 9: have been average at best. I mean, they've allowed thirty 356 00:18:12,880 --> 00:18:16,199 Speaker 9: points or more five times this season, and at one 357 00:18:16,240 --> 00:18:19,240 Speaker 9: point they were on pace to be the highest scoring 358 00:18:19,320 --> 00:18:20,880 Speaker 9: defense in the Mike Tomlin era. 359 00:18:21,200 --> 00:18:22,760 Speaker 7: So not good results there. 360 00:18:22,880 --> 00:18:24,760 Speaker 9: And then running the ball has just been a completely 361 00:18:24,800 --> 00:18:28,399 Speaker 9: inconsistent endeavor. So in a lot of cases they've leaned 362 00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:30,240 Speaker 9: on Aaron Rodgers and his right arm. 363 00:18:30,560 --> 00:18:31,760 Speaker 7: He hasn't been perfect. 364 00:18:31,800 --> 00:18:35,280 Speaker 9: It's been an up and down season, but considering he's 365 00:18:35,320 --> 00:18:38,159 Speaker 9: forty two years old and playing behind, you know, an 366 00:18:38,160 --> 00:18:41,159 Speaker 9: offense with a lot of question marks, I think that 367 00:18:41,200 --> 00:18:43,200 Speaker 9: he's been about as good as they could have expected. 368 00:18:43,920 --> 00:18:48,120 Speaker 1: Listen, it feels like Tomlin is very reluctant to part 369 00:18:48,160 --> 00:18:51,600 Speaker 1: with a TJ. Watt Heyward. It's just those are his guys, 370 00:18:51,840 --> 00:18:55,199 Speaker 1: like he likes the older player. TJ. Watch is not 371 00:18:55,240 --> 00:18:58,120 Speaker 1: going to play to night. What is his future in Pittsburgh. 372 00:19:00,119 --> 00:19:03,159 Speaker 9: You know, TJ just signed that big contract, and I 373 00:19:03,160 --> 00:19:06,679 Speaker 9: think that internally there is certainly a feeling that they 374 00:19:06,720 --> 00:19:08,560 Speaker 9: would like him to retire as Steeler. 375 00:19:08,600 --> 00:19:11,040 Speaker 7: They often talked about the one helmet guys. 376 00:19:10,760 --> 00:19:13,400 Speaker 9: Guys who were drafted by the Steelers play their whole 377 00:19:13,440 --> 00:19:16,240 Speaker 9: careers there and ultimately go into the Hall of Fame 378 00:19:16,600 --> 00:19:17,800 Speaker 9: as a Pittsburgh Steelers. 379 00:19:17,880 --> 00:19:21,160 Speaker 7: So I think that that's the vision for TJ. Watt. 380 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:24,239 Speaker 9: But right now, the concern is that he could end 381 00:19:24,320 --> 00:19:26,399 Speaker 9: up having a career where he has all kinds of 382 00:19:26,440 --> 00:19:29,879 Speaker 9: incredible individual achievements but does nothing in the playoffs. 383 00:19:30,400 --> 00:19:32,159 Speaker 7: You know, tonight the Steelers are going to be hosting 384 00:19:32,200 --> 00:19:33,080 Speaker 7: Manka Fitzpatrick. 385 00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:36,680 Speaker 9: During his six seasons, he did incredible things here in Pittsburgh. 386 00:19:36,880 --> 00:19:40,359 Speaker 9: Collectively or cumulatively over those six years. The Steelers had 387 00:19:40,680 --> 00:19:43,280 Speaker 9: one of the best defenses in the league over that span, 388 00:19:43,800 --> 00:19:46,280 Speaker 9: but they did nothing in the playoffs. And that's really 389 00:19:46,320 --> 00:19:48,479 Speaker 9: the concern with the TJ. Watt, who's now thirty one 390 00:19:48,560 --> 00:19:51,240 Speaker 9: years old, and he is, I hate to say it, 391 00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:53,359 Speaker 9: he's had a bit of a down year and you 392 00:19:53,400 --> 00:19:57,719 Speaker 9: could wonder if he's showing some small signs of regression. 393 00:19:58,200 --> 00:20:00,520 Speaker 9: I mean, he is you're comparing him to what he 394 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:05,159 Speaker 9: want his peak, and his peak is one of the 395 00:20:05,160 --> 00:20:08,000 Speaker 9: most dominant players over the last decade. But you look 396 00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:10,760 Speaker 9: at his sack totals, you look at his next gen 397 00:20:10,800 --> 00:20:12,640 Speaker 9: stats in terms of how he's getting off the line 398 00:20:12,640 --> 00:20:15,600 Speaker 9: of scrimmage, and he doesn't look like he's quite the 399 00:20:15,640 --> 00:20:18,440 Speaker 9: same dominant player as he was in his mid twenties. 400 00:20:18,840 --> 00:20:20,879 Speaker 9: And time is running out for him and for a 401 00:20:20,920 --> 00:20:22,840 Speaker 9: guy like Cam Hayward who has just one more year 402 00:20:22,920 --> 00:20:23,840 Speaker 9: left on his contract. 403 00:20:24,400 --> 00:20:27,400 Speaker 1: I saw a story about Tomlin about two weeks ago 404 00:20:27,440 --> 00:20:30,920 Speaker 1: and somebody said Tomlin's people leaked it to let everybody 405 00:20:30,960 --> 00:20:35,400 Speaker 1: know he may be available. That doesn't feel like Tomlin 406 00:20:35,480 --> 00:20:39,400 Speaker 1: to me, but I understand these powerful agents. Where are 407 00:20:39,440 --> 00:20:42,359 Speaker 1: the Rooneyes in Tomlin? I know we addressed it earlier, 408 00:20:42,440 --> 00:20:45,560 Speaker 1: but I mean the Roonies are pretty conservative. Mike's an 409 00:20:45,600 --> 00:20:50,600 Speaker 1: old school guy. I've heard there there's some not discomfort, 410 00:20:50,680 --> 00:20:53,560 Speaker 1: but disappointment. I mean, you don't win a playoff game 411 00:20:53,560 --> 00:20:58,600 Speaker 1: for eight years, that is a stretch. Are the Roonies 412 00:20:58,640 --> 00:21:04,560 Speaker 1: on the Tomlins forever defending privately each other? Or are 413 00:21:04,600 --> 00:21:05,320 Speaker 1: there fissures? 414 00:21:07,119 --> 00:21:09,480 Speaker 9: You know, I think that they're pretty united, and I 415 00:21:09,480 --> 00:21:13,040 Speaker 9: think that Art Rooney really has respect for Mike Tomlin 416 00:21:13,280 --> 00:21:15,160 Speaker 9: and appreciates. 417 00:21:14,600 --> 00:21:15,680 Speaker 7: What Mike Tomlin has done. 418 00:21:15,800 --> 00:21:18,760 Speaker 9: So after each season, Art Rooney meets with a small 419 00:21:18,760 --> 00:21:22,800 Speaker 9: group of reporters, and you know, most recently there's been 420 00:21:22,840 --> 00:21:24,920 Speaker 9: a lot of heat and a lot of questions about 421 00:21:24,960 --> 00:21:27,160 Speaker 9: Mike Tomlin's job status and some of the things that 422 00:21:27,480 --> 00:21:28,480 Speaker 9: Art Roney talks about. 423 00:21:28,520 --> 00:21:31,200 Speaker 7: He says, like, look, Mike Tomlin wouldn't have won all 424 00:21:31,200 --> 00:21:32,720 Speaker 7: these games if he's not a good coach. 425 00:21:33,040 --> 00:21:35,520 Speaker 9: And to that point, Mike Tomlin is three wins away 426 00:21:35,960 --> 00:21:39,640 Speaker 9: from matching Chuck Knowles's regular season mark, and Tomlin will 427 00:21:39,680 --> 00:21:42,800 Speaker 9: have done so in significantly fewer games. 428 00:21:43,080 --> 00:21:43,439 Speaker 7: Okay. 429 00:21:44,920 --> 00:21:48,119 Speaker 9: Also, Art Rooney always points out that Mike Tomlin gets 430 00:21:48,119 --> 00:21:50,639 Speaker 9: players to buy in and play till the end of seasons, 431 00:21:50,960 --> 00:21:54,160 Speaker 9: and that's important to Art and that certainly is true. 432 00:21:54,359 --> 00:21:56,040 Speaker 9: Just last week in the locker room, I was talking 433 00:21:56,040 --> 00:21:58,639 Speaker 9: to Calvin Austin, one of their young wide receivers, and 434 00:21:58,680 --> 00:22:02,080 Speaker 9: he said, the whole world can be saying fire Tomlin, 435 00:22:02,400 --> 00:22:05,840 Speaker 9: but in this locker room, we still believe in Mike Tomlin. 436 00:22:05,960 --> 00:22:07,760 Speaker 7: And I think that that's an important thing. 437 00:22:07,800 --> 00:22:10,479 Speaker 9: Here for this team and for Art Rouney, because Art 438 00:22:10,520 --> 00:22:12,919 Speaker 9: Rooney takes the pulse of the locker room, and I 439 00:22:12,920 --> 00:22:16,720 Speaker 9: think that if he feels like Mike Tomlin still has 440 00:22:17,400 --> 00:22:19,480 Speaker 9: the heartbeat of that locker room, if guys are still 441 00:22:19,520 --> 00:22:22,040 Speaker 9: fighting to play for him, then I think that Art 442 00:22:22,080 --> 00:22:24,240 Speaker 9: Rooney's going to keep Mike Tomlin for the future. And so, 443 00:22:24,800 --> 00:22:26,639 Speaker 9: you know, as much as I think there is a 444 00:22:26,680 --> 00:22:29,680 Speaker 9: bit of impatience on the part of Art Rooney and 445 00:22:30,280 --> 00:22:34,320 Speaker 9: they've been doing things in an uncharacteristic Steelers way, you 446 00:22:34,359 --> 00:22:36,960 Speaker 9: look at their aggressive offseason to try to shake things up, 447 00:22:37,400 --> 00:22:39,720 Speaker 9: I still think he's willing to give Mike Tomlin the 448 00:22:39,720 --> 00:22:43,800 Speaker 9: benefit of the doubt, especially when you consider their history 449 00:22:43,840 --> 00:22:46,440 Speaker 9: with coaches and how long of leashes they've given other 450 00:22:46,440 --> 00:22:47,320 Speaker 9: coaches in the past. 451 00:22:47,840 --> 00:22:50,679 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think tonight Miami is running the ball. I 452 00:22:50,680 --> 00:22:53,400 Speaker 1: think tonight's actually interesting. You think of Miami cold weather 453 00:22:53,440 --> 00:22:55,560 Speaker 1: and your roll your eyes. What do you expect tonight? 454 00:22:57,000 --> 00:22:58,840 Speaker 7: Yeah, I think that that's really going to be the 455 00:22:58,920 --> 00:22:59,440 Speaker 7: key to the game. 456 00:22:59,520 --> 00:23:02,200 Speaker 9: Canvas Deelers stop the run, which has been a challenge 457 00:23:02,200 --> 00:23:04,520 Speaker 9: for them this year. You know, last time they were 458 00:23:04,520 --> 00:23:08,320 Speaker 9: in Akrascher Stadium, the Buffalo Bill said, a new record 459 00:23:08,359 --> 00:23:12,439 Speaker 9: for an opponent with two hundred and forty nine rushing yards. Okay, 460 00:23:12,520 --> 00:23:15,280 Speaker 9: So now they turn around a couple weeks later and 461 00:23:15,359 --> 00:23:16,400 Speaker 9: what would be different? 462 00:23:16,560 --> 00:23:16,960 Speaker 7: Okay? 463 00:23:17,040 --> 00:23:20,240 Speaker 9: And so the real the thing to keep your eye 464 00:23:20,240 --> 00:23:23,400 Speaker 9: on would be Derek Harmon. He's their rookie first round 465 00:23:23,400 --> 00:23:26,880 Speaker 9: pick at defensive tackle, and when he's been in the game, 466 00:23:26,880 --> 00:23:29,080 Speaker 9: they've been decent at stopping the run. They've allowed about 467 00:23:29,160 --> 00:23:32,200 Speaker 9: ninety four rushing yards per game. When he's not played 468 00:23:32,240 --> 00:23:35,760 Speaker 9: in games, they've allowed one hundred yards more per game. 469 00:23:36,119 --> 00:23:39,320 Speaker 9: And so you look at Miami Dolphins, they're averaging one 470 00:23:39,359 --> 00:23:42,840 Speaker 9: hundred and ninety two rushing yards per game since week ten. 471 00:23:43,359 --> 00:23:46,040 Speaker 9: Since Week ten, the Steelers have allowed the most rushing 472 00:23:46,119 --> 00:23:50,359 Speaker 9: yards in the league. So that's really where it starts. 473 00:23:50,359 --> 00:23:52,159 Speaker 9: It ends. It's going to be cold, both teams are 474 00:23:52,200 --> 00:23:53,959 Speaker 9: going to be running the ball. It's going to be 475 00:23:54,359 --> 00:23:57,080 Speaker 9: kind of probably an ugly type of game, and really 476 00:23:57,119 --> 00:23:59,159 Speaker 9: it all comes down to can the Steelers win the 477 00:23:59,160 --> 00:24:00,520 Speaker 9: live scrimmage on defense. 478 00:24:01,359 --> 00:24:04,080 Speaker 1: Mike to Fabo good stuff, the Athletic Steelers beat writer 479 00:24:04,359 --> 00:24:08,000 Speaker 1: formerly Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Enjoy yourself tonight, Dress warmly and 480 00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:10,360 Speaker 1: we'll see you. I'll bring you back on soon. Thanks Bud. 481 00:24:11,240 --> 00:24:12,960 Speaker 9: Yeah, that sounds great. Thank you so much for having me. 482 00:24:13,000 --> 00:24:13,880 Speaker 9: I really appreciate it. 483 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:16,840 Speaker 1: You bet he does a great job. It's interesting game tonight. 484 00:24:16,880 --> 00:24:21,600 Speaker 1: The Dolphins' current strength is the Steelers' weakness. And you 485 00:24:21,640 --> 00:24:24,480 Speaker 1: know it's funny, like Green Bay's a small market, but 486 00:24:24,560 --> 00:24:28,200 Speaker 1: they have been leaning offense forever. Pittsburgh's a small market. 487 00:24:28,440 --> 00:24:31,240 Speaker 1: They are just loyal the defense, and like, who's had 488 00:24:31,280 --> 00:24:34,639 Speaker 1: more postseason success, Who's had more success at quarterback? So 489 00:24:35,200 --> 00:24:38,600 Speaker 1: I mean there are certain times in the culture of sports. 490 00:24:39,200 --> 00:24:41,680 Speaker 1: I remember the Lakers for a while were a little 491 00:24:41,720 --> 00:24:45,760 Speaker 1: apprehensive a little bit on the three point shot, and 492 00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:48,760 Speaker 1: it's like, no, guys, it's here. Those European guys come over, 493 00:24:48,800 --> 00:24:50,360 Speaker 1: even the bigs, they can shoot it. Like you got 494 00:24:50,359 --> 00:24:54,160 Speaker 1: to embrace certain things in baseball. They're certain analytics. Similarly, 495 00:24:56,119 --> 00:24:59,960 Speaker 1: Steels feel a little outdated, not quite current to the market. 496 00:25:00,040 --> 00:25:02,560 Speaker 1: Get placed, but they've got a lot of stability, which 497 00:25:02,640 --> 00:25:07,159 Speaker 1: the New York football teams do not have. The other story, 498 00:25:07,320 --> 00:25:09,359 Speaker 1: I mean, I think over the weekend, if I wrapped 499 00:25:09,359 --> 00:25:13,919 Speaker 1: a bowl around the weekend, it's that two teams Denver 500 00:25:14,040 --> 00:25:19,720 Speaker 1: and Chicago with really good young quarterbacks rookie deal allowing 501 00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:23,680 Speaker 1: their franchises to stack them. Chicago's roster is really good. 502 00:25:23,720 --> 00:25:28,440 Speaker 1: Denver's play a little better. I think bo Nix solidified 503 00:25:28,480 --> 00:25:31,440 Speaker 1: his rep yesterday. And I think Caleb Williams, it's hard 504 00:25:31,480 --> 00:25:37,520 Speaker 1: to be a doubter with his horsepower durability doesn't throw picks. 505 00:25:37,720 --> 00:25:40,880 Speaker 1: I mean, he was on full display yesterday. Here's Albert 506 00:25:40,960 --> 00:25:44,040 Speaker 1: Breer on the growth of the former USC Trojan. 507 00:25:45,160 --> 00:25:47,640 Speaker 5: They teach him how to play quarterback, Like that's really 508 00:25:47,640 --> 00:25:49,760 Speaker 5: what it was, you know, and like they felt like 509 00:25:50,560 --> 00:25:52,520 Speaker 5: we got to figure out, like how much we. 510 00:25:52,480 --> 00:25:55,080 Speaker 6: Can throw onto this kid, how much this kid can handle, 511 00:25:55,119 --> 00:25:55,520 Speaker 6: because they. 512 00:25:55,480 --> 00:25:57,679 Speaker 7: Felt like he was smart and he had the aptitude 513 00:25:57,720 --> 00:26:00,960 Speaker 7: to do it. But they got to play who they felt. 514 00:26:00,680 --> 00:26:03,399 Speaker 8: Like was really raw that didn't really care if it 515 00:26:03,400 --> 00:26:04,600 Speaker 8: didn't look good in the summer. 516 00:26:04,920 --> 00:26:07,320 Speaker 7: It was we're going to overload. 517 00:26:06,880 --> 00:26:10,280 Speaker 1: Him with information now and then we'll scale it back 518 00:26:10,400 --> 00:26:12,600 Speaker 1: as we build the offense and we'll lean into what 519 00:26:12,640 --> 00:26:14,960 Speaker 1: he's good at, and then we'll build him back up 520 00:26:14,960 --> 00:26:20,040 Speaker 1: from there. Yeah, it's I mean everything. I really believe this. 521 00:26:20,240 --> 00:26:24,199 Speaker 1: There's never been a warm Weather dynasty in football. Marino 522 00:26:24,280 --> 00:26:26,720 Speaker 1: Shula should have been. It wasn't, And a big part 523 00:26:26,800 --> 00:26:29,879 Speaker 1: of it is the heart of the NFL is December 524 00:26:29,960 --> 00:26:34,760 Speaker 1: fifteenth to early February, Chicago, not just because they play 525 00:26:35,040 --> 00:26:38,400 Speaker 1: in Chicago. They are built for cold weather. They are 526 00:26:38,440 --> 00:26:41,879 Speaker 1: a power run team with a quarterback who doesn't have 527 00:26:41,920 --> 00:26:45,200 Speaker 1: to throw deep, can strong arm. That could handle the win. 528 00:26:45,359 --> 00:26:47,879 Speaker 1: But we'll also just take off. So they've got a 529 00:26:47,920 --> 00:26:50,240 Speaker 1: really good old line. They love to run the football. 530 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:53,320 Speaker 1: They've got a power thrower and a power runner at quarterback. 531 00:26:53,400 --> 00:26:56,000 Speaker 1: They're good on third down. They win the takeaway battle, 532 00:26:56,040 --> 00:27:02,960 Speaker 1: the turnover battle. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh thirtieth and rushing on offense 533 00:27:04,840 --> 00:27:09,560 Speaker 1: since week ten. So Chicago in crappy weather, guys, it's windy, 534 00:27:10,440 --> 00:27:13,320 Speaker 1: it's off the lake. We're running the football. Pittsburgh can't. 535 00:27:13,320 --> 00:27:17,840 Speaker 1: Pittsburgh's not built to win going forward. They're just not. 536 00:27:18,000 --> 00:27:21,080 Speaker 1: You got an old quarterback that mostly if he's not 537 00:27:21,320 --> 00:27:24,280 Speaker 1: feeling it in the pocket, you're done. And they can't run. 538 00:27:25,080 --> 00:27:29,040 Speaker 1: Chicago's the opposite. If Caleb's like struggling, it's windy, I'm 539 00:27:29,080 --> 00:27:32,080 Speaker 1: going to keep the ball myself. Great old line and 540 00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:37,159 Speaker 1: they can run. So it's interesting. I watched Chicago built 541 00:27:37,280 --> 00:27:40,600 Speaker 1: for the postseason. I watched Pittsburgh and I'm like, not 542 00:27:40,960 --> 00:27:44,320 Speaker 1: at all, So we'll see. All I know is this 543 00:27:45,280 --> 00:27:48,080 Speaker 1: those playoff matchups. They're getting close. 544 00:27:48,160 --> 00:27:51,560 Speaker 8: J Mack, Well, wait, hold on, this week Bears host 545 00:27:51,680 --> 00:27:55,439 Speaker 8: the Packers. Things broke amazingly for Chicago this past weekend. 546 00:27:55,800 --> 00:27:57,520 Speaker 8: That Green Bay situation's bleak. 547 00:27:57,640 --> 00:27:58,080 Speaker 1: What's the line? 548 00:27:58,119 --> 00:27:59,520 Speaker 6: I think the Bears get him? I haven't seen a 549 00:27:59,560 --> 00:28:01,640 Speaker 6: line yet, but I also. 550 00:28:01,480 --> 00:28:04,399 Speaker 8: Say this, the Bears probably get the two seed and 551 00:28:04,440 --> 00:28:07,680 Speaker 8: then would host the seven, which would be likely Green 552 00:28:07,720 --> 00:28:10,359 Speaker 8: Bay or Detroit. Detroit's only got a forty percent chance, 553 00:28:10,440 --> 00:28:13,119 Speaker 8: so it'd be round three who killed the Bears in 554 00:28:13,160 --> 00:28:15,800 Speaker 8: the last meeting Christian Watson. He doesn't look like he's 555 00:28:15,840 --> 00:28:18,240 Speaker 8: gonna be back this week. I think that your Bears 556 00:28:18,400 --> 00:28:20,399 Speaker 8: looking I mean, they're sitting pretty right now, Colin. 557 00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:27,359 Speaker 1: First things first, is around the corner. Tough weekend for 558 00:28:27,440 --> 00:28:27,920 Speaker 1: Nick right