Merril Hoge On Why Caleb Williams IS NOT Special and Drake Maye is NOT a 1st Rounder l THE HERD

THE HERD - Colin Cowherd welcomes Merril Hoge on the show to talk about his controversial take on Caleb Williams. Before that Merril talks about Drake Maye and why he does not see him as a first-rounder. Hoge also touches on JJ McCarthy and Russell Wilson.
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[@brianogrady3185]

I swear, he says “National Football League” like he swore a blood oath to saying it.

[@JC_2311]

I don't know about Caleb or Drake but just know that Merril, before the 2017 draft, said he wouldn't draft Patrick Mahomes in the first round.

[@tomdallas3690]

Can't be right every time. His analysis historical has been top notch.

[@mrfreeandclear970]

Unless you have Andy Reed.

[@travesotom6890]

Yeah he’s clueless 😂😆

[@jlserna11]

Pat did sit behind Alex Smith for a year

[@KwameFadhiliWilliams]

​@@tomdallas3690exactly

[@becausealiens2996]

He’s just being safe. Reality is most quarterbacks don’t turn into anything special. It’s pretty rare to turn into something special.

[@willhopson1277]

It does seem to be becoming more common lately. Burrow, Allen, Herbert etc. of course still plenty of busts

[@PatriotWatchUSA]

Great comment. Some folks live in the past even while watching the future. It's all unreal. @@willhopson1277

[@TheWasif]

When there’s no repercussions for being wrong, these “experts” can always have a hot take and say anything they want.

[@AugustusMcMillan]

ABSOLUTELY

[@aaronschwenzfeier5783]

We clicked on it didn’t we.

[@michaelyeomans8992]

Except hoge has a history of being right

[@waynecanning4122]

Absolutely right… public floggings for inaccurate predictions is the ONLY way to keep these charlatans honest.

[@jameshayden3952]

What should the repercussion be?

[@keithv3767]

There were a lot of experts who didn’t like CJ Stroud last year. The experts are often wrong.

[@ikiruyamamoto1050]

Well, that and the Ohio State QB "curse" (i.e. they almost never produce high level NFL QBs).

[@keithv3767]

@@ikiruyamamoto1050 CJ Stroud begs to differ.

[@ikiruyamamoto1050]

@@keithv3767 I agree the first year looks encouraging, but it doesn't mean it wasn't/isn't a real thing. Ohio State has been a great football program for years, but their QBs have not translated to the NFL game. But, maybe Ohio State's strategy doesn't require NFL style pocket passers.

[@ndavis265]

Stroud has had one good season, in the worst division in the league. Now that teams have an entire season’s worth of tape on him let’s see how he does.

[@JeepGuy3]

Same for USC

[@RonCali93]

He lost me when he said u can win a SB with Kenny Pickett

[@youdub7926]

🤣

[@davidgolfer]

Exactly... and the quiet shade he threw Russell's way... very telling... these cats hate Russell on a personal level... wild!

[@sjhawk44]

you could. history has shown it. it’s about the other 52

[@TempeSoldier123]

@@sjhawk44and you could win Powerball two days in a row too. Not likely but you “could”.

[@don-ox3jx]

😅😅😅😅

[@michaelwaninger3155]

I watched a Kurt Warner breakdown of Caleb and that was my take. Of course Kurt doesn't say anything like that he just points out mistakes and good choices...but he just did not seem able to process fast enough for college. Noticed a lot of first reads where he just didn't let the ball go. I'm not an expert but the games only gonna get faster. If you can't let it go to your check down on the blitz well it probably ain't gonna be pretty.

[@bocagoodtimes1460]

I’ll take Kurt Warners opinion over hodge any day of the week.

[@SportsBossMan]

I really like your take on this. You know which QB possesses the quick process ability you talked about? Bo Nix. This guy sees the blitz coming faster than most and gets the ball out quickly to the open receiver. Celeb certainly has talent, but he needs good coaching and time to develop. Unfortunately, he will be thrust right into the starting role. Lucky for him, Chicago has surrounded him with excellent talent (Mike Evans, D'Andre Swift, Gerald Everett, and of course DJ Moore). If only they had just done this and kept an improving Justin Fields.

[@michaelwaninger3155]

@@SportsBossMan Never saw him play. I'll look him up.

[@ethananthony7419]

@@SportsBossMan Also most people don't know that Bo Nix has full control of the offense pre-snap. Dude was allowed to audible and make whatever calls he saw fit. Definitely a field general

[@Kevincarlloven]

Meril Hodge was a running back with 90 concussions. 😂

[@jameshayden3952]

Only superstars should have atake.

[@jasonchilds9852]

That’s true lol and he wasn’t that great

[@mellsrod4820]

A fullback

[@williamchristie7365]

Do the green bars jumping around add value.....?

[@bradleymiller7375]

Yeah we can add that ourselves! Stupidity!

[@SportsBossMan]

With the drivel Merril Hoge spouts, they would have been better off with a test pattern on the screen.

[@mikepeterson8037]

It's irritating

[@rosslaverdure]

He also doesn't believe in CTE.

[@leevancleef358]

there is no excuse for that...can't take him seriously because of that...

[@johnhuston650]

Its genetic. We all have it if it isn’t.

[@markpage9886]

Oh my God! Is that true?

[@mikeottersole]

He can't be that ignorant. No respect for him if this is true.

[@blaketindle4703]

Merril Hoge thinks CTE is a hoax. Let THAT sink in!

[@christopherking4932]

Unfortunately it's probably because he suffers from CTE.

[@Zippadeedoodaa-nt8om]

It was used to soften the league so the owners can protect their 300 million dollar investments at QB.

[@hexagonoctogon3140]

It's definitely fake bro

[@christopherking4932]

@@hexagonoctogon3140 so brain injuries are completely imaginary and just a superstition 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😊

[@Dubberzz]

Pigeons aren't real and space is an illusion.@@hexagonoctogon3140

[@WhiteDudeMusic]

Merril “in the National Football League “ Hodge

[@Abyfresh523gmail]

Every year, they rank these USC QBs so high-

[@user-ks3ol3lw3b]

I just checked - he did have C.J. Stroud his only 1st rounder last year. He said he could hit every throw. And Bryce Young wasn't a 1st rounder. Right on both.

[@JC-hq7iu]

You have zero clue what Bryce young is yet in the dumpster fire of an org

[@gelato3299]

Everybody want to be right about Cj now let’s see if cj can keep it up

[@ricksavaiano5640]

I watched a bunch of tape on Caleb and I have to agree with Merril, I do not see anything special about him. I DO NOT see him processing and throwing on schedule. He also runs from a fairly clean pocket WAY too often. He also rarely throws over the middle.

[@cag19549]

Really? What NFL team do you scout for? You must have a lot of college and NFL experience. I gather you don't agree with many of the former NFL quarterbacks on their evaluation of him.

[@3xdope418]

​@@cag19549unbunch ur panties. It's an opinion. What's the issue...

[@hahshsdh4646464]

Merrill is totally right. I watched Cam Newton for years and I kept thinking he would evolve as a passer and improve his touch and decision-making. Never happened.

[@RonCali93]

You’re dumb to believe that would happen

[@CarolinaBluePawz-rd4vt]

Cam won a MVP. Enough said

[@starwarsfan7740]

​@CarolinaBluePawz-rd4vt mvp is tainted a piece of tin he stunk it in the super bowl

[@starwarsfan7740]

​@@CarolinaBluePawz-rd4vt the mvp is a tainted piece of tin feel good trophy he stunk it up in the super bowl

[@CarolinaBluePawz-rd4vt]

Cool story ​@@starwarsfan7740

[@BillyBobChuckNorris]

I'll agree with the Williams statement. Honestly I think JJ McCarthy is better than Williams. I also think Bo Nix is underrated at this point in the stocks.

[@lloydchristmas5698]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@shaneomack5018]

Trash on JJ

[@BillyBobChuckNorris]

@@shaneomack5018 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@BillyBobChuckNorris]

@@lloydchristmas5698 tell me the last time a Heisman trophy winning QB ever amounted to anything? Caleb Williams=Bryce Young 2.0🤷😚

[@Mar-ri2iq]

McCarthy and Nix are straight 🗑 trash and both are not 1st Round picks and are media Overhypes.

[@thesocratescamden]

Kenny Pickett is trash

[@MelvinCooper-ov8lg]

No you’re wrong Kenny Picket is junk.

[@bpraise517]

His SKILL SET but the person is trash

[@ernestkovach3305]

False. He got Pitt to the playoffs.

[@sexgod57able]

Worry not. His career is OVER!!!

[@jameshayden3952]

Easy for trash to say.

[@c.l.freeman7654]

Bears fans convinced hes the second coming..after 3 years of saying that very thing about Justin Fields

[@rudyjackson8012]

Five takeaways - A QB succeeds when: [1] He does pre-snap reads; [2] He processes through progressions; [3] He stands his ground in the pocket, and only scrambles to evade sack or gain yardage; [4] He focuses on “moving the sticks” through high conversion routes - short and immediate; [5] He-accurately-distributes the football to playmakers (RPO or designed pass play). That is why Mahomes & Co., Purdy & Co., Hurts & Co., Burrow & Co., Tua & Co., Stroud & Co., Goff & Co., etc. succeeded; however this is why 1st Round QBs such as Jordan Love (until last season), Sam Darnold, Kenny Pickett, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, and Bryce Young struggled! I think Drake Maye is gonna struggle, while Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and J.J. McCarthy will do fairly well in their year.

[@user-ec5zg8uc4i]

If you have a Good Offensive line , it give the young Quarterback time to develop. Without a good offensive line, the young quarterback will get destroyed no matter how good he is.

[@AssfaceOmega]

Wasn’t this the same guy who said the Colts should take RG3 over Andrew Luck? What a joke.

[@user-hh7uz4ib4u]

Hey butt head both out the league soo what's ur point?

[@user-xn9wm8mi8h]

RG3 was a better prospect

[@matthewhuszarik4173]

Who lasted longer?

[@codyb.3015]

@@user-xn9wm8mi8h Wtf are you talking about? Literally 0 teams in the NFL would have taken RG3 over Luck. The supposed buzz about who goes 1 only came up because the media forces BS for ratings. RG3 was NEVER considered remotely as high of a prospect as Luck. Colts barely even talked to RG3 before the draft.

[@blasianbombflower8828]

@@codyb.3015damn you worked for the colts? You know what’s going on behind the scenes? Who they drafting this year? Exactly stfu you assuming like everyone else

[@ethananthony7419]

People don't get that Mahomes went to an elite situation with some of the best offensive minds in football; plus he had to sit. That's different from what's going to happen with Williams in Chicago. Not saying Williams won't be successful, but situation is the biggest determining factor when it comes to NFL success.

[@deyontaamarachi2064]

Lincoln riley qbs are great in college and average in nfl

[@kameishagreenunapologetica8210]

I like the Hodge guys perspective!

[@KwameFadhiliWilliams]

And he respects your comment

[@nameless_alchemist]

Colin Cowherd and Skip Bayless are in a competition to see who can be the worst sports commentator of all time.

[@frederickparker9804]

Does anyone in the media say "NFL" anymore? Everything is always "National Football League " Stop it!!

[@thomasopp9104]

Yeah, it's just a matter of cadence and filler. More syllables. It's a broadcasting thing. I also find it lame

[@MyVisualRomance]

Oh! I always thought it stood for Not For Long.

[@TheVicvega26]

Come on man. They gotta get the name out there. The NFL is struggling financially because nobody has ever heard of it.

[@waynecanning4122]

What a weird thing to get upset about. Pick better bitches

[@SportsBossMan]

My pet peeve is "He's a real good football player." Of COURSE he's a football player. He's in the NFL. If they said "He's a real good basketball player, then we have something.

[@fozzybear9114]

I agree with hoge

[@geraldturner4770]

His kenny pickett analysis aged like milk.

[@grege5074]

i'm conflicted, i hear people saying good things about CW and Maye, but then i always think back to what Hoge said about Johnny Manziel "if you run around and you have no business running the ball, it should have come out, you win heisman trophies in college, in the NFL you come back to the huddle with 5 angry grown men" and he basically said the same thing about CW. I'm officially worried.

[@shipjumper6068]

This interview is only a month old as of today and it didn’t age well at all. The defensive players on the Steelers were recruiting Russell Wilson to come to the team, which says the team didn’t believe in Kenny Pickett at all.

[@rhyliehodnett214]

I wish he spoke on which other quarterbacks in this draft that he thought would be better suited for the transition to the NFL.

[@joshuabunkers1494]

You have to respect Hoge for having an opinion. Everybody else always washes everyone with positives.

[@SportsBossMan]

I agree with that. But for us to take stock in what he says, he's gotta actually be right more times than not. He loses all credibility. Remember, he said Zack Wilson could be 'fabulous'. Huh?

[@joshuabunkers1494]

@@SportsBossMan I don't know if I agree. Everybody else predicts nobody to fail (or everyone to succeed) and those individuals are wrong more than they are right.

[@johnmausen8369]

Ask this guy what he thinks about the last 10 drafts. He will tell you he only would have drafted the ones that didn't bust.

[@SportsBossMan]

Merril probably went out on a limb and said John Elway and Dan Marino were gonna be good too. Way to go, Mr. Obvious!

[@johnmausen8369]

@@SportsBossMan You're the winner! You're prize is John 8: 14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me." If you read to the end of John 8, she's throwing rocks at Jesus. Praise be to God?

[@jeremyroberts8822]

I mean he has been right about a lot of prospects but also wrong about others so I don’t think his opinion means absolutely nothing. But we’ll see what happens. The draft is kind of a crapshoot in a lot of ways because there’s so many things that factor into a player being successful

[@weswillison]

didn't know Bill Murray watched so much ball

[@disqusrubbish5467]

I'm not sure Wilson fits with Pittsburgh, but Kenny Pickett? Heh...

[@geraldos9094]

Caleb playing for an established team sounds good, but we saw how he acted when he loses….things could go bad very quickly if the Bears start losing badly. Players have said, it’s easy to get into Caleb’s head on the field, he shows his emotions.

[@justinkanicki8044]

And paints his nails and sleeps with cats

[@mattburton3233]

I saw how good cj was going to be in the georgia game. he alone kept his team in that game even though they lost. without cj it would have been a blow out.

[@KenjiMapes]

Merril Hodge is probably gonna be eating crow on at least one of these guys. Of course QBs are the most difficult to scout & project. The physical traits & arm talent are important in scouting QBs but their most vital attributes like mental acuity, processing ability, etc along with things such as work ethic & the actual effort they put in to working at their craft are hypothetical guesses or projections. This is why we all know QBs are all risks & many top picks often don’t pan out. Around this time scouts, NFL analysts & GMs all fall into the hype train of rocket arms & combine numbers which mean little in the grand scheme of whether a QB will succeed at the NFL level. I could see 1-2 of the top trio of QB prospects in Williams, Maye & Daniels succeeding while the others falter. Also I can see some of the “Tier 2” QB prospects like Penix, Nix & McCarthy actually becoming better NFL QBs in a few years over the top 3. The Bears have a good problem in choosing between Field or Williams which is a difficult one but they have to pick Williams. They passed on Stroud last year & cannot be the team who also passed on Williams. Field improved a lot & I hope the Bears do right by him & trade him to a good team & situation like the Steelers. There is a lot of talk about Fields & the Falcons which is a good match but I think the Steelers are a better fit. Anyway this draft is going to be interesting to see it unfold. So much intrigue & possibility especially with the Top 10 picks. I wonder which team will have a shocking pick. Hopefully not my Giants. I hope they go Odunze or Nabers. Only 9 more weeks until the draft but it can’t get here soon enough.😆🙄

[@billballoo7881]

I typically disagree with Hoge but I also don't think Caleb will be as good as everyone says. I think the Bears will whiff again.

[@SportsBossMan]

I've felt all along the Bears should have stayed with Fields now that they finally got a few more weapons on offense. My issues with Caleb are more than physical - they're mental. I believe he's a prima donna and will cry when he doesn't get his way. A very immature, intitled, spoiled brat.

[@sneakyquick]

As a Broncos fan, the Russell Wilson trade has destroyed the Broncos.

[@kylebaddog5084]

Truth bomb 💣

[@willhopson1277]

Hoge makes some good points but he also said Joe Flacco was better than Tom Brady at one point so let’s take it with a grain of salt 🤣

[@ricblic901]

Mahomes works because it's actually Mahomes Reid. Without Reid Mahomes wouldn't be Mahomes. Buffalo almost had it with Allen Daboll that duo was just as deadly as Mahomes Reid. Brian Daboll should be the HC in Buffalo. They would have been in the Super Bowl already. The greatest QB isn't the greatest with out a brilliant OC because Reid is the OC.

[@SportsBossMan]

I do agree it takes a great coach and an excellent QB to become an elite team. Brady had Belichick. Bill Walsh had Montana and Jerry Rice, etc. etc. And SOME players (like Zach Wilson, Mitchell Trubisky and likely Kenny Pickett) may never become elite.

[@travesotom6890]

Hodge is clueless,he’s not a quarterback expert, the year Mahommes came out he said he would not draft him in 1st round 😂😆

[@jayp4114]

Well, technically he was right. Kurt Warner had a ton of issues with Pat Mahommes in College, with his array of Wild throws and inconsistent mechanica. The talent was undeniable, but Andy Reid and Alex Smith created the perfect environment for Mahommes immense gifts to blossom.

[@paulmancini-sb9qn]

Lots of Analysts were not very high on Mahomes coming out of Texas Tech

[@paulmancini-sb9qn]

Drake Maye is another Trubisky/Sam Howell imo, and really needed to remain in College for 2024 ..

[@SportsBossMan]

@@paulmancini-sb9qn You know, you might be right about that. Good point.

[@NathanDean79]

Bryce Young was measured at the combine. He is 5’10 1/8’’ tall not 5’9’’. He is OVER 5’10’’. Russell Wilson is 5’ 10 5/8’’ tall.

[@Tyrant5RDFL]

Lets also consider most top 10 QBs are drafted into horrible situations. They are already put into a situation to fail. Mahomes was drafted by my Giants, his career would have been tremendously different.

[@SportsBossMan]

I get a kick out of the Giants. How is it they had like 17 receivers in 2023, and none of them were very good (I don't say they stink because they do have some ability): Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, Parris Campbell, Wan"Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt (jury's still out on him). They remind me of my team - the Patriots - with a slew of mediocre talent catching the ball. The G-Men BETTER draft a WR in the 1st round instead of a QB. Give Daniel Jones SOMETHING to work with!

[@frankpalancio8471]

Agree. Most of the college QB draft evaluation is hype. This year's QB class is shaping up like the 2021 class with Caleb being Trevor Lawrence, and the rest should not be taken in the top 15

[@keithsowder4308]

Jayden Daniels is the best QB in this draft if you want a guy that can make an impact day one. I think Pennix is number 2 if he can stay healthy. I also think the Bears are INSANE for trading Fields to draft Williams...when you have seen flashes of brilliance from Fields when he has had no supporting cast...AND you could change that by taking Marvin Harrison Jr. and a TON of other great players with all those draft picks they have ! I don't trust Williams for several reasons some Hoge mentioned but also USC QB's are always overrated...don't believe me ? Name one USC QB who has done dick in the NFL that's not named Carson Palmer ! Now, that being said...I'm not saying Williams will defintely be a bust....BUT...if he doesn't sit and learn for a season, if they throw him to the wolves....yeah, he'll be a huge bust !

[@sexgod57able]

​@@keithsowder4308Dude. I agree. Caleb will suck. Jayden will work out.

[@pugilist102]

Penix Jr will be special.

[@keithsowder4308]

@@pugilist102 Yeah, just a question of if he can stay healthy. Daniels is special too. To me the difference is this...Daniels and Pennix Jr. can read pre-snap, it's second nature to them they KNOW where the open man / men are before the snap, whereas Williams, Maye etc. have to read as they're dropping back, and when you take into account the fact that the pro game is so much faster that makes a HUGE difference ...the difference between making completions and being sacked or throwing a pick.

[@keithsowder4308]

@@sexgod57able Yeah, I've seen too many USC QB's ( Sanchez, Leinart, Barkley, Rob Johnson hell you can go all the way back to Todd Marinovich ) that NFL GM's drooled over, drafted in rd 1 or 2...and they just SUCKED ! As I said, Williams IS talented, reminds me of Mahomes as far as his natural ability...but guess what ? If the Chiefs didn't sit Mahomes behind Alex Smith for a year and let Andy Reid coach him up as opposed to throwing him right to the wolves...Mahomes might have been a bust too ! People forget, if you watched Mahomes in college his footwork was HORRIBLE...Williams is too. But in that year of watching and learning he got his footwork together. If a team allows Williams to do that...he may be great.

[@user-ch9pz1uq9v]

I agree with him about the height. I’ve been saying it for 30 years. You have to be tall enough to see over and through your lineman.

[@ronaldfuller3734]

Sam Darnold tested and was anyalized way better than this group of qbs. None of them will be more than average.

[@IMAC1776]

It’s a strange one. Chris Simms has the exact same evaluation of Drake Maye but he completely disagrees on Caleb Williams. He believes Caleb Williams is an incredible prospects and clearly the No.1 pick.

[@mobigsly9595]

The chance Caleb is going to be a bigger bust than Dolly Parton is Ginormous

[@Scooby1984]

Nah.....pro style offense in USC. Makes perfect passes regularly and consistently. Bears went from the worst passing QB in the entire league to having an undeniable stud of a QB. Caleb is already the greatest QB ever in Chicago.

[@afootballdadvideoproductio3992]

Merril Hope said Lamar Jackson wouldn't thrive and do well in Todd Monkens offense last year and Lamar won MVP! Take what he says with a grain of salt. He's full of it!!! these QB's will do great! He's probably getting paid and his pockets lined to give bad commentary on these QB's to effect their draft status. This guy is a clown!!!

[@SportsBossMan]

Here's how it goes: These "experts" have to try and make a name for themselves, so they give us outrageous opinions and hope they land one of them so you can see how smart they are. Merrill ALSO said Zach Wilson had a chance to be "fabulous". How's that looking to Jets fans these days? OMG Merril. He has lost ALL credibility in my view.

[@chiprenner]

Maye ain't ok-JJ is ok . what's you say?

[@johntaylor8522]

Meril Hodge said Mahomes was not a 1st rnd pick and has about 700 hundred other awful predictions....dudes a tool.

[@SportsBossMan]

Come on, man, Merril was right! Patrick Mahomes is a stiff! He's only won 3 Super Bowls! I mean, what's up with that? Brady won 7, for God's sakes. What a bum Mahomes is!!! LMFAO

[@user-mk1dc6dr4q]

I also didn't know Mahomes was a QB, TE, WR, G, OT, DE, DT, S, CB, P, K, LB, LS, to the guy who said Mahomes doesn't need anybody else to be successful. If you don't know what those abbreviations mean you don't know football

[@Redskin4ever]

The best question is, why is Merrill Hoge the only person who feels this way?

[@gmb858]

I look at Williams on the field, it's not about Hoge. Williams is not the 2nd coming. Let's start with the fact that Lincoln Riley is not the "quarterback whisperer." Riley had some interesting schemes when he went to Oklahoma that worked. But he never taught the fundamentals of mechanics and leadership to any of his "award winning quarterbacks." I'll reveal I am an Oklahoma alum, but set that aside. Baker Mayfield was "fully formed" when Riley arrived. Riley didn't take him under his wing. Kyler Murray was in the same quarterback room as Mayfield and benefited from film study and schematics but he was an original talent on his own. And Jalen Hurts? His time at Alabama gave him the fundamentals to lead an offense. All he needed to do was improve his passing skills. We couldn't tell much about Williams in his freshman year because Riley was off interviewing with Southern Cal. We thought he was good, had good potential and we were looking at bright days ahead until Riley snuck out of town before the break of dawn. I watched every Southern Cal game that was available both years Williams was at So Cal. I didn't see any development in discipline in utilizing the pocket or in developing complex timing routes. What I saw was a quarterback that either didn't see his "reads," didn't like them, or wasn't confident to deliver the ball in tight windows. I saw a quarterback that was quick to pull the ball down and begin to scramble pell-mell without any rhyme or reason. The passing play suddenly became street ball where he was waving receivers open down the field or he was tucking and running instead of forcing the defense to defend against the pass. The thought went through my head that "this kid is going to get eaten up in the NFL" without the discipline to stay in the drive concept on a fresh set of downs. Whether he started at his own 20 or his opponents' 40 yard line, Williams was erratic and undisciplined. Without question he wasn't coached properly and I was not surprised to see the Trojans crater in 2023. Lincoln Riley, for all his bally-hoo, isn't a seasoned head coach. Bob Stoops, the man he replaced, was the CEO of the Sooners. He only won 191 games against 48 losses. Riley will never coach that many Division I games. We should be glad he was exposed as a fraud in college football. Had he been hired to coach an NFL team he would be roadkill. Every NFL team should be wary of Williams. He's a raw talent; the skills are there to develop but he definitely is a "project" to learn the pro game. I laughed my butt off when I heard he wanted a percentage of the Bears' ownership in his rookie contract. The kid has had too much money, too many slaps on the back and too many hours admiring himself in the mirror. Is he still teachable? Good question.

[@brianj8593]

I saw the same things you did..100% agree with your analysis.

[@BigginsInAmerica]

Mike Tomlin is a defensive coach that's why he's given up 31 or more points in his last 5 playoff games which were all losses and averages allowing 40.5 points per game in those 5 losses. 31-22, 42-19, 48-34, 45-28, and 36-22. Sounds like a real defensive minded guy!

[@TempeSoldier123]

Without a QB, like Belichick, you’re gonna lose a ton of games because your offense is usually 3 and out all the time. This puts pressure on a defense because they are playing behind. You don’t know jackshyt about football, do you?

[@johnmausen8369]

​@@TempeSoldier123What? Scoring on a short field is easy? That makes sense.

[@BigginsInAmerica]

@oldier123 Patriots beat the Rams 13-3 in the Super Bowl. It was 3-3 after 3 quarters. Then there was 28-3 vs the Falcons. Nice try though.

[@TempeSoldier123]

@@johnmausen8369 dummy I’m talking about the Pittsburgh defense always being on the field and the opposing offense having great field position because the Steelers offense is so bad. Try to keep up.

[@TommyC503]

I am a Steelers fan and I agree. Mike Tomlin is so overrated as a coach. And Art2, the owner, is a stubborn smiley goof. Steelers desperately need a change. They are just stuck in the middle. I wish Hoge was calling the shots in Pittsburgh.

[@DoctorBrueckner]

Hoge would have passed on Herbert.

[@Flannman91]

Colin "Let Them Eat Cake" Cowherd

[@johnkessler9878]

Yep, cowherd has no idea how most people barely survive.

[@future_teknokrat7585]

Caleb Williams is a superior talent, but he has to learn how to play quarterback in the NFL and get better in the pocket. Having bad offensive lines in college, he may have developed some bad habits.

[@wwz1011]

There are not enough QBs to go around the league. So teams without a franchise QB have no choice but to draft one, cross their fingers that the pick may work out OK. 32 teams with just one QB coming out in the draft who is elite every three or four years. It's never enough.

[@kelsowilz2522]

Williams AVERAGED 300 total yards and 2.5 TD's A GAME! He has a quick wind-up flip of the wrist release throw and is accurate. He can see open WR's not only right after the snap but after the play breaks down. Obviously, he is great at extending plays with his legs "to pass the ball not necessarily run for the first down like Fields." If he goes to Chicago and plays all 17 games, Williams will break the most yards and most TD's by a Chicago Bear QB.... as a rookie. If drafted he would easily be the best QB the Bears have ever drafted and has had on their roster. Don't get me wrong... obviously, last year's Chicago Bear roster, Williams would have had more trouble, but this year were seeing upgrades across the offensive positions. So it makes for longer time to throw the ball and with the addition of Allen, Everett and Swift a better "catching" offense already. Not to mention Waldron will be better than Getsy. We still have some drafts too. If I'm Williams, I'm hoping Chicago drafts me where I could be a living legend in a great city!

[@Imperium83]

Lead off with the whole Kenny Pickett can win a championship part so I don't have to waste 11 minutes listening first.

[@SportsBossMan]

I think Merril has had too many concussions to think straight.

[@NathanDean79]

Jaden Daniels was more accurate than Caleb Williams was last year. Caleb in 2023 completed 68.6% of his passes. Pretty good huh? Jaden Daniels completed 72.2% of his passes in 2023. In 2022 Daniels had a 68.7% completion rate and in 2022 Caleb had a 66.6% completion rate.

[@ikiruyamamoto1050]

Panthers still have 2 years to figure out if Bryce Young can be a good QB. Also, Kyler Murray is similarly small...BUT, Murray is cat-like quick and elusive. Either way, small QBs just have so much going against them, that there is so little upside. But, there have been plenty of 6'4" + crappy QBs too!

[@SportsBossMan]

So right. We can't blame Young for his struggles yet. The team around him blows. They can't pass protect to save their lives. I didn't like the pick because of his size, but that alone isn't enough to make him a failure. And to your other point: Ryan Leaf (Chargers): 6'5" and Ja'Marcus Russell (Raiders): 6'6". Total busts.

[@jon5041]

what does picket do in any of these games to make the other players and coaches think they can win a superbowl let alone start. Other than have a nice late game drive when the defense keeps the game low scoring. Anybody would take any of the 4-5 qbs in this draft over him right now. Steelers are a horrible franchise if they have former players rushing to his defense like this than having picket earning the spot

[@j.brendenstookey3437]

He really nailed the Pittsburgh situation…

[@marshalmagooo3899]

Hoge also said he thought Jeff Brohm was a better qb prospect then Aaron Rodgers...sooo....

[@Justin242420]

History says only 1-2 of these QBs pan out and there’s 6-8 QBs in this draft people are talking about

[@nickvoelker7180]

If you think Williams has any prospect of being a successful pro, you're a hopeless casual. He's completely devoid of the skills necessary to be professional QB.

[@Scooby1984]

You are 100% delusional. Bears went from having the worst passer in the entire league to Caleb Williams. There's a reason Caleb is hailed as the best QB to enter the draft since Andrew Luck. If you would have did even the smallest amount of research you'd know that Caleb regularly and consistently throws the most accurate ball in college football. The dude can drop a 65 yard pass on a dime off his back foot effortlessly. Next time just say you don't know football clown. Facts aren't subjective

[@paulwilson8352]

Merril come on man!!!

[@jscott20002278]

This is the same dude that said Patrick mahomes wasn't very good, and now he just praised Kenny Pickett....why are we still giving this bum any air time?

[@bradleymiller7375]

We? Hahaha

[@thenewholistic]

Hoge described Caleb to a T 🐻 👇

[@aarondixon7]

Trent dilfer says hey..

[@misterwallace3479]

You never know until they play in the NFL. Having said that, I would take Jayden Daniels. He possesses all the tools and is a great kid.

[@acc4465]

if you say really outlandish statements - once in awhile you will be right - that is what Merrill is trying to do.

[@SportsBossMan]

EXACTLY!!!!

[@aheroictaxidriver3180]

ANY team with the first pick in the NFL draft should trade it for as much as they can get.

[@cg3333]

That Pittsburgh take sure didn't age well. 😕😕😕

[@rogerbrown4629]

Hoge doesn’t like black quarterbacks. He didn’t even like Mahomes.

[@morpheusrising9534]

This is just being contrarian for the sake of being contrarian. Caleb Williams has all the ingredients. The question is will his coaches know how to prepare a meal.

[@southsidetone]

whoever bears get that qb will suffer

[@ektran4205]

@@southsidetone they have a first time qb coach

[@ChocolateAfterDark]

You people don’t understand the game. He played with 5 stars. He’s overrated.

[@southsidetone]

@@ektran4205 I do like wat the bears oc and qb coach did in Seattle

[@spenser6353]

Are they trading Justin fields?

[@simplifiedlife8607]

Remind me one more time, did you say National Football League?

[@jamesstrutz4937]

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A GREAT OFFENSIVE LINE IN FRONT OF YOU IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW GREAT A QB OR RB YOU ARE. GOOD EXAMPLE WAS KIRK COUSINS IN MN. NO OL IN HIS YEARS THERE. YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR AN ACCURATE PASSER.

[@lesgobrandon9444]

Also a horrendous defense in Minnesota didn't help

[@SportsBossMan]

Kirk Cousins is an excellent QB, but it takes more than that to win playoffs and championships. Take John Elway, for example. Until they finally got a great defense for him, they didn't win anything, even though it was apparent that he was a terrific QB. Same goes for Dan Fouts and Dan Marino - Hall of Fame QBs that never won a SB. Not saying Cousins is in their class, but he's pretty damn good in my view.

[@peterray2663]

First Hodge predicts RFK will win the election in a landslide and now Cowherd is jumping on that Bandwagon?

[@richj011]

If Caleb sucks it's the Bears coaching people will say and he'll demand to be traded. It could be really ugly fast if he starts slow because he'll be blaming everyone else. I wouldn't be surprised if the bears pass on him and trade for either one of the other top 3.

[@SportsBossMan]

They built a great surrounding cast in Chicago (Mike Evans, D'Andre Swift, Gerald Everett to go with DJ Moore). Doing all that, they should have stayed with a still young, improving QB in Justin Fields, in my opinion. He never had that kind of talent around him until last season with Moore. They gave up too quickly, I think.

[@thewho2482]

I think this qb draft Is weak. If I'm chicago I trade out the 1st overall pick

[@stephenscuba6284]

I agree cause probably have top 5 pick in 25 again might as well get more assets or best players available n get QB next year if Fields doesn't get better

[@da_suntoucha7219]

It’s all a crap shoot but I hope they keep fields

[@thewho2482]

@@da_suntoucha7219 you are correct. I'd build a wall for an OL and get another receiver and picks

[@billybob1675]

I agree. However I like trading down with the intent to take Maye and dish Fields. We can still get a lot with that strategy. I don’t want to take the risk of keeping Fields, him having a horrible season and then nobody wants him. Right now we can have Atlanta and Pittsburgh fight over Justin. It’s going to be interesting one way or the other.

[@aynrand4288]

So, everyone else is wrong? No. Just trying to get clicks. Got mine, lol.

[@rdtods]

Most times, Hoge is right.

[@steveosborn7224]

I said the same thing about Bryce and CJ. CJ was the only first round talent last year.

[@user-qx1vh8xk6b]

I saw thT someone had Pennix in the 2nd round I think he will be a way higher pick

[@SportsBossMan]

There will be SIX QBs taken in the 1st round: Williams, Daniels, Maye, McCarthy, Nix, and Penix. Remember, you heard it from the SportsBossMan first!

[@geoplaten337]

The Wilson/Pickett analysis didn’t age well. I also prefer Maye to Caleb, but qbs are definitely the hardest to evaluate.

[@davidadamsmusic]

This analysis makes it sound like Penix should be a top pick. Pre-snap read, pocket presence, processing, accurate, and tall. Oh- and he played in an NFL style offense. We’ll see.

[@dwightshealey8288]

the so-called black quarterback hate is real 😮😮😮

[@michaellalli7693]

There is no known formula to foresee if a college QB will be effective in the NFL.

[@BoomorBust]

So disappointed in Hoge. We are lock step with Maye, but I'm confused how you talk about not evaluating players were they are, but projecting to where they CAN be...then knock Caleb for his style of play in college. I'm not saying Caleb is guaranteed to do anything, but like any prospect you look at what tools they have (Physical, Mental, & Technique) and project what can they combination of tools be molded into given the right circumstance. You acknowledge his accuracy can be elite, you acknowledge his elusiveness is elite, but you knock him for the plays he makes/didn't make in college. Haven't we learned our lesson from Mahomes? Josh Allen? Aaron Rodgers? The job of the staff is to hone all the tools into the best version of the player and the player has to meet them half way by being willing to develop. We don't just judge them on the college player they were, but what pro player they can be. Lastly, completely agree about pocket play...it is so undervalued in common football discussions, but I want to throw out there that Caleb has elite spatial awareness too. That is very rare in QBs. One of the reasons I was a huge fan of Burrow coming out.

[@jamesBrian-lu4kj]

Williams is a walking talking red flag ...his dad as his Manager reminds me of Ball....he ain't getting a piece of the team, shows Celeb isn't living in reality....the flat out sobbing after losing beyond shocking...

[@BoomorBust]

@@jamesBrian-lu4kj Two extremely weak reasons to argue against a prospect.

[@jamesBrian-lu4kj]

@@BoomorBust how about zero pro style pocket patience or presence, he won't be able to scramble out of the pocket like he does now, if you went a Kyler Murray he's your guy.

[@BoomorBust]

@jamesBrian-lu4kj Well this is where a lot of casual evaluators get it wrong. First, he has great patience not sure where you got that from. Second, this isn't about plug and play the college version to the NFL, this process is about evaluating what tools a player has and protecting what the pro version of them could look like. Caleb has elite pocket manipulation and awareness. Those are tools that when adapting to a new game will allow him to develop the rest. He isn't being drafted to USC where he doesn't have NFL talent.

[@jamesBrian-lu4kj]

@@BoomorBust the pro version of a QB will look exactly like his college film, it's like a foot print or thumb print or voice recognition. Watch Purdy at Iowa, he is doing exactly what he did there, watch Herbert at Oregon, it's a carbon copy, even Lawrence once powerful college runs look inept in the pros. Before replying watch Williams ND highlights if you want a glimpse into his future, not a pretty sight. BTW I had CJ Stroud last year as the best QB, I wasn't wrong...

[@b-gamer340]

He's telling the truth... Like people are acting Like Caleb is so good in the pocket. He's telling the truth

[@davidcovington1046]

Yeah exactly, caleb has flaws

[@ChocolateAfterDark]

You people don’t understand the game. He played with 5 stars. He’s overrated.

[@spenser6353]

@@ChocolateAfterDarkTime will tell. Let the kid play an NFL game first

[@Tay-vr3be]

@@ChocolateAfterDarkstars don’t mean u automatically gin be great in college

[@kevinfessler6831]

Whatever.....everyone is entitled to their opinion. Williams has a special skill set, and I'm aware of his shortcomings as I've seen him play 25 games, but if the Bears pass on him (they won't) they'll regret it for years. A lot of us thought Stroud was a much better prospect than Young, so I wouldn't bust my hand patting myself on the back. All the QB's have ?, but the fact that the highest praise in this vid is for a player who washed out, found the right system which is nothing like the NFL, who rarely goes to a second read or pushes the ball downfield says everything you need to know.

[@redgoldrainwater5508]

I agree with him . I think Rattler and Nix are 2 of the best in this draft.

[@user-zo4lm5mj4r]

I laughed at your comment but then realized you could be right. I would disagree but I also thought Ryan Leaf should have been picked ahead of Manning. You just never know.

[@redgoldrainwater5508]

@@user-zo4lm5mj4r agreed. I mean we all knew Purdy would be the best of his class right? 😂

[@TonydaGM]

Nix and Rattler stand no chance

[@redgoldrainwater5508]

@@TonydaGM Williams and Maye are both busts. Watch

[@TonydaGM]

@@redgoldrainwater5508 Maye is Herbert

[@FIGHTON13]

Actually listening to him on this podcast he made more sense than his original statement. Caleb only played 2 1/2 years and he does need to grow as a passer in the pocket. But you do need to put it in context that USC had the worse D in power 5. SC had to score 40plus to win. But I highly doubt he wont be able to develop as a passer in the pocket. Just like Daniel made huge strides in his 5th season. HE couldn't throw the deep ball then this year he showed he could. Caleb will be a top 5 QB in the league within a few years. Book it!

[@user-sn3ky2md4v]

I was kinda lost on the Pickett take also when it came to skill set , I viewed him as a QB without a lot of physical skills but enough if he was extremely intelligent he might work. I don’t think Pittsburgh is going anywhere with either QBs if Watson and Burrows is healthy I think they are last in their division.Tomlins been sneaking into the playoffs by just barely winning enough games I think that’s coming to a end this year.The Wilson move is just another attempt to keep Tomlin from getting fired I don’t see it leading to a championship.