Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Episode 3 & Out: Best of Podcast

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
• Description: A thought-provoking, opinionated, and topic-driven journey through the top sports stories of the day.
• Episode: 3 & Out - Best of Podcast: Jay Gruden, Robert Saleh Gets Fired, Belichick to UNC
• Release Date: December 25, 2024

Introduction

In this special bonus episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, host Doug Gottlieb sits down with Jay Gruden to delve into some of the most pressing and intriguing topics in the sports world. The episode covers Jay's coaching experiences, the unexpected firing of Robert Saleh, and the surprising move of Bill Belichick to the University of North Carolina (UNC).

Jay Gruden’s Background and Arena League Experience

Doug Gottlieb begins the conversation by exploring Jay Gruden's athletic background and his stint in the Arena League.

• Doug Gottlieb [04:04]: “I saw you had a quick stint there in the early '90s before you became an Arena League legend.”

• Jay Gruden [04:17]: “I gave it a shot with a Sacramento Surge. Did not work out, so I went and played arena balls. More fun.”

Jay explains that the Arena League was ahead of its time during the '90s. Despite offering competitive salaries and attracting players from the NFL, the league struggled financially due to inflated franchise tags and unmet expectations from owners.

• Jay Gruden [05:08]: “I think we just got a little too big for our britches. The franchise tags went up to like 16, $17 million... owners kind of lost their ass and had to get rid of it.”

Quarterback Development and Coaching Philosophy

The discussion shifts to quarterback development and Jay's approach to coaching quarterbacks, highlighting his experiences with various players.

• Doug Gottlieb [07:03]: “Do you lean on dealing with a lesser arm quarterback if they're accurate, or is that just the card you were dealt?”

• Jay Gruden [08:13]: “Cincinnati is really the only quarterback I picked... I thought Seattle was going to take him at 29, but they took James Carpenter... Andy was perfect because he started four years at TCU.”

Jay emphasizes the importance of selecting quarterbacks who can handle the offense's pace and structure, showcasing his strategic choices in drafting and developing players like Andy Dalton and Kirk Cousins.

Analysis of Robert Saleh's Firing

A significant portion of the episode critiques the firing of Robert Saleh as the head coach of the New York Jets. Doug Gottlieb shares his skepticism about Saleh’s capabilities as a head coach, especially within the dysfunctional environment of the Jets' organization.

• Doug Gottlieb [38:35]: “Robert Sala was completely over his head. Every time Robert Sala went to the podium, he found himself, his foot in his mouth.”

Jay concurs, pointing out the challenges Saleh faced with ownership and the overall team culture, making it nearly impossible for him to succeed.

• Jay Gruden [17:23]: “He had to be done... there's nothing to build on with Bryce... The team sees the film, they're watching the film, and if you don't make a move, you're going to lose respect in the locker room from your players.”

Speculation on Bill Belichick's Move to UNC

Perhaps the most surprising segment discusses Bill Belichick's unexpected move to UNC. Doug Gottlieb provides a critical analysis of how Belichick's expertise may or may not translate to a college football setting.

• Doug Gottlieb [40:37]: “Bill Belichick clearly despises this organization. I don't think there's any amount of money they could pay him to accept this job.”

Jay Gruden explores the implications of such a move, questioning Belichick's fit within the UNC program and the potential challenges he would face in a collegiate environment versus the NFL.

• Jay Gruden [16:55]: “He's got to continue to prepare himself like a pro. Understand that he's very young player still... These guys are struggling, but they just got to keep playing until they get it.”

The conversation highlights Belichick's unparalleled football intellect but casts doubt on his ability to adapt to the dynamics of college football, especially at a program that hasn't historically been a powerhouse.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with reflections on the complexities of coaching in both the NFL and college football, using the cases of Robert Saleh and Bill Belichick as focal points. Jay Gruden and Doug Gottlieb underscore the importance of leadership, organizational support, and the right environment for coaching success.

• Doug Gottlieb [55:23]: “It's out with the new and in.”

• Jay Gruden [56:35]: “We need to take a timeout against hate... Visit standuptoallhate.org to help.”

This final message serves as a call to action against societal issues, tying back to the earlier sentiments expressed by Jay Gruden about unity and combating hate.

Notable Quotes:

• Jay Gruden [05:08]: “I think we just got a little too big for our britches... owners kind of lost their ass and had to get rid of it.”

• Doug Gottlieb [38:35]: “Robert Sala was completely over his head... his foot in his mouth.”

• Doug Gottlieb [40:37]: “Bill Belichick clearly despises this organization...”

• Jay Gruden [16:55]: “He's got to continue to prepare himself like a pro...”

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers an in-depth exploration of coaching dynamics in professional and collegiate football, providing listeners with expert insights and candid opinions on some of the industry's most debated topics.