Best of The Herd

Monday show energy: the combine’s in the books, the NBA’s in the thick of it, March is taking shape, and I’m in Chicago; appreciate you riding with us.

Teams talk, but their moves tell the truth, and Minnesota’s actions scream concern at quarterback while they sit approximately forty five million over the cap and poke around veteran options.

JJ McCarthy hasn’t held up or settled in, even with Kevin O’Connell’s coaching, an elite receiver room, and indoor comforts; the lows arrive fast and the numbers back it up.

We’ve seen growth, but he missed key development time, so we’re accelerating the competition and pouring coaching into it.

Switching to the Lakers, that JJ Redick–Luka sideline clip was a real moment; Luka’s been catered to since he was a teen, lives with the ball, and his defense and conditioning are now fair game.

Context matters; this happened during a win, and fire between teammates isn’t doom, it’s competitiveness, so let’s not turn every spark into a blaze or pretend there isn’t a Laker double standard.

Honest standard here: great players get critiqued, just like Carmelo once did, and the West is stacked while the Lakers still hunt for wins against top teams.

Quick hits, where I was right and wrong: Byron Scott’s on board that this should be LeBron’s last Laker season; the Knicks’ defense popped against Wemby; Minnesota sniffing around quarterbacks signals real doubt about JJ; I don’t buy the need to chase a splashy wideout; the wider world finally sees Luka’s flaws; I overestimated Kyler’s staying power; Steph deserves better; and Malik Willis will have a market.

Quarterback-needy teams do not have many paths, so if you’re not checking on Malik Willis, you’re not serious; the money escalates fast once a few bets work.

Let’s talk combine with Matt Hasselbeck—first up, Fernando Mendoza; what stood out when you were around him?

He owned Indy; St. Elmo’s literally gave him a standing ovation, and he embraces who he is, which plays in a locker room, like how Andrew Luck leaned into his own quirks.

Size and presence check—what did you see up close?

He looks taller and broader than the listing, carries real presence, guys gravitate to him, and his Brady–Patriots fandom tracks with how poised and detail-driven he comes off.

How about Ty Simpson; what did you learn working with him?

He won’t wow in shorts, but he threw well, has quiet command, earned respect from quarterbacks and receivers, and could sneak into round one because teams trust his tape and temperament.

Under-the-radar vibes from this QB class?

The group threw impressively as a whole, and Luke Altmyer popped as an accurate, on-time decision-maker who wins snaps with rhythm and choices.

Diego Pavia brings flash and the Manziel mentor headline; what’s your read?

He helped himself as a thrower and competitor, and learning from a flawed star can work if you absorb the lessons; Jeff George did that for me, and Ryan Leaf’s journey shows how powerful that guidance can be.

What intangibles were you clocking on the ground?

Eye contact, coachability, and who cheers for others; the days run long, and you can’t fake the vibe, which is why the combine’s setup matters.

Back to Kyler—would you roll the dice if he’s available?

He’s elite with his legs and spins a beautiful ball; the question is body language, fit, and maturity, but with the right coach and room, I’d pursue it.

Great stuff, Matt; he loved Mendoza calling himself a goober, and I’m here for a quarterback who leans into that; this is The Herd.