Episode Summary: "3 & Out - Best of The Week: Joe Flacco is NOT a mentor, Scottie wins again, Lions LOSE a key piece"

Release Date: June 8, 2025
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host: John Midoff
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Overview

In this episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," host John Midoff delves into three significant sports stories of the week: Joe Flacco's stance on mentorship, Scottie Scheffler's impressive streak of golf victories, and the Detroit Lions' loss of a key player, Frank Ragnow. Midoff provides in-depth analysis, insightful commentary, and engages listeners with notable quotes and perspectives on each topic.

1. Joe Flacco is NOT a Mentor

Timestamp: [02:32 – 16:09]

John Midoff opens the discussion by addressing Joe Flacco's recent comments about not positioning himself as a mentor to younger players. Flacco's straightforward approach emphasizes his primary focus on winning games rather than taking on a mentorship role.

Key Points:

• Flacco's Perspective: Flacco expressed that his main goal is to win rather than mentor, stating, "I'm not here to mentor the guy. My job, especially in the off-season and in August training camp and going into week one, is to try to help my team win games." (02:32)

• Host's Agreement: Midoff concurs with Flacco, highlighting the challenges of balancing mentorship with competitive performance. He elaborates, "Joe Flacco knows this. Kevin Stefanski knows this because he surely told him when Joe Flacco came there and signed." (05:45)

• Team Dynamics: The discussion touches on how Flacco's role as a starting quarterback inherently prioritizes team success over individual mentorship, especially in high-stakes environments like the Cleveland Browns.

• Comparative Analysis: Midoff compares Flacco's stance to other veteran players, noting that in roles where leadership is secondary to performance, mentorship may naturally take a backseat.

Notable Quote:

"If I'm signed to be the starter, my job is not to mentor the guy. My job is to try to help my team win." – Joe Flacco (02:32)

2. Scottie Scheffler Wins Again

Timestamp: [18:47 – 37:08]

The spotlight shifts to golf, where Scottie Scheffler has secured back-to-back tournament victories, demonstrating remarkable consistency and dominance akin to golf legends like Tiger Woods.

Key Points:

• Scheffler's Achievements: Midoff highlights Scheffler's consecutive wins at prestigious tournaments, "Scottie Scheffler wins Memorial. He goes back to back. For the first guy to do that at Jack's tournaments, it's Tiger Woods." (18:47)

• Dominance in the Sport: He praises Scheffler's ability to maintain top form, noting his combined victories by significant margins—"...he has combined to win those tournaments by eight shots... five shots... a combined 13 and then four, 17 shots." (23:10)

• Comparisons to Legends: Midoff draws parallels between Scheffler and Tiger Woods, emphasizing Scheffler's current form and potential for long-term success, "Scottie’s really been doing it coming into this year for like, a year and a half at the highest level, which is incredible." (25:30)

• Consistency vs. Golf's Unpredictability: While acknowledging golf's inherent unpredictability, Midoff underscores Scheffler's exceptional consistency, contrasting it with players like Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth whose performances fluctuate.

• Future Prospects: The discussion anticipates Scheffler's potential to challenge for more major titles, given his current trajectory and mental fortitude on the course.

Notable Quote:

"The craziest part about this guy is like, he never just has a random week where he finishes like 35th." – John Midoff (25:00)

3. Lions LOSE a Key Piece: Frank Ragnow's Retirement

Timestamp: [37:12 – End]

John Midoff examines the Detroit Lions' significant loss with the retirement of center Frank Ragnow, analyzing the broader implications of player retirements in the modern NFL landscape.

Key Points:

• Ragnow's Early Retirement: Midoff discusses Frank Ragnow's decision to retire before turning 30, probing into the factors that contribute to such early exits from the league, "Frank Ragnow, 29 years old and he's already made $57 million..." (37:42)

• Financial Security Influence: He explains how lucrative NFL contracts today provide players with the financial freedom to prioritize health and personal life over prolonged athletic careers, "Is it enough where you couldn't blow it if you did some stupid things? Of course not. So money gives guys the opportunity when they're in a lot of pain." (40:15)

• Impact on the Team: The analysis covers how Ragnow's departure affects the Lions' offensive line stability and overall team performance, considering the challenges of finding a replacement for a Pro Bowl caliber center.

• Comparative Athlete Decisions: Midoff references other athletes like Jason Kelce and Aaron Donald to illustrate the trend of early retirements driven by cumulative injuries and financial readiness, "Aaron Donald's still kicking ass... 'I've already banked $100 million. I'm good, dog. I'm out.'" (44:00)

• Physical Toll of Modern Football: The discussion touches on the increased physical demands and pain associated with contemporary football, contrasting it with past eras' rougher play styles, "Frank Ragnow said like I've tried to talk myself that I'm not into a lot of pain what he doesn't feel right." (39:50)

• Future Implications: Midoff speculates on how Ragnow's retirement could influence other players' decisions and the strategies NFL teams might adopt in managing player health and career longevity.

Notable Quote:

"Frank Ragnow said he's not into a lot of pain and at the end of the day he just does not feel right." – John Midoff (38:17)

Conclusion

John Midoff's comprehensive analysis in this episode offers listeners a deep dive into pivotal sports stories, blending factual reporting with expert commentary. From Joe Flacco’s focused mentality, Scottie Scheffler’s golfing prowess, to the Detroit Lions navigating the loss of a key player, the episode encapsulates the dynamic nature of professional sports in 2025.

Notable Final Quote:

"In a sport that, like, there is just some randomness that even if you get hot, you kind of come back to earth. It's pretty crazy to witness." – John Midoff (36:30)

Note: Timestamps correspond to the transcript provided and serve as reference points for the discussed topics.