Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "Best of The Herd"

Release Date: December 16, 2024
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: Matt Hasselbeck
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Introduction

In the "Best of The Herd" episode, host Colin Cowherd teams up with former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to analyze the latest developments in the NFL, focusing primarily on the Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, and other key teams gearing up for the playoffs. The duo delves into team dynamics, player performances, coaching decisions, and playoff prospects, providing listeners with insightful commentary and expert opinions.

Philadelphia Eagles: A Paradox of Dysfunction and Success

Timestamp: [05:00]

Colin opens the discussion by spotlighting the Philadelphia Eagles, describing them as "the strangest great sports franchise" not just in the NFL but across all sports. Over the past 25 years, the Eagles have cycled through four head coaches, each with varying degrees of success:

• Andy Reid
• Chip Kelly
• Doug Pederson
• Nick Sirianni

Despite firing three out of four coaches, all except one have reached the Super Bowl. Colin remarks, "They have all the qualities of a bad or poorly run franchise, yet all the Eagles do is win." This paradox underscores the team's deep roster, young and seasoned stars, aggressive management, and a head coach whose transparency and resilience resonate with the passionate Philly fanbase.

Key Points:

• Coaching Carousel: Frequent changes haven't hindered the team's success.
• Star Power: Boasts a roster with three levels of greatness.
• Aggressive Management: Head coach Nick Sirianni and GM Howie Roseman maintain an assertive approach.
• Team Chemistry: Despite internal drama, the team functions seamlessly on the field.
• Defense Focus: Ranked highly, they compensate for any offensive inconsistencies.

Colin confidently predicts the Eagles as Super Bowl contenders, highlighting Jalen Hurts' leadership and the team's multifaceted offense. He states, "They have five different ways to beat you. The layering of talent's incredible."

Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen's Ascension

Timestamp: [07:00]

Shifting focus to the Buffalo Bills, Colin lauds quarterback Josh Allen as "the most talented quarterback I've ever seen," drawing comparisons to legendary athletes like John Elway and modern stars like Patrick Mahomes. Allen's dual-threat capability—amassing rushing touchdowns and maintaining an impressive performance without taking sacks—has positioned him as a standout leader for the Bills.

Colin emphasizes Allen's transformation from a promising talent with early interceptions to a seasoned quarterback with a strong arm and strategic mindset. He notes, "Since entering the NFL, he has the second most rushing touchdowns for a quarterback. Josh Allen has not taken a sack in a month. Good luck getting a hold of him."

Key Points:

• Talent vs. Trophies: Colin argues Allen surpasses stars like Tom Brady in raw talent.
• Dual-Threat: Allen's ability to both pass and run adds versatility.
• Consistency: Maintains high performance levels week after week.
• Physical Resilience: Appears fresh and capable despite the rigorous schedule.

Matt Hasselbeck echoes Colin's sentiments, acknowledging Allen's "incredibly consistent week after week" performance and his potential MVP candidacy.

Detroit Lions: Coaching and Team Stability

Timestamp: [15:00]

The conversation shifts to the Detroit Lions, critiquing head coach Dan Campbell's aggressive strategies. Colin labels Campbell as "reckless," questioning his trust in the defense and his tendency to make high-risk decisions like onside kicks. He suggests that Campbell's emotional and alpha-driven approach may undermine the team's defensive stability.

Matt counters by attributing Campbell's behavior to his "DNA" as an emotional and transparent coach who owns his mistakes. He believes Campbell's strategies stem from his passionate leadership style, which, while risky, could foster a resilient team culture.

Key Points:

• Aggressive Coaching: Campbell's high-risk decisions spark debate.
• Team Composition: The Lions are grappling with injuries, affecting their playoff prospects.
• Player Development: Concerns about the depth and performance of key positions like running back.

Colin expresses skepticism about the Lions' playoff chances, especially with potential injuries to key players like David Montgomery, stating, "Detroit can win one way now. Wild shootout."

Where Colin Was Right and Wrong

Timestamp: [20:00]

In a recurring segment, Colin reflects on his past predictions, acknowledging where he was accurate and where he missed the mark:

• Where Colin Was Right:

  • Philadelphia Eagles' Coaching Turmoil: Predicted continued issues with coaching instability affecting team performance.
  • Buffalo Bills' Super Bowl Potential: Affirmed the Bills' strong playoff chances due to Josh Allen's performance.
  • Los Angeles Rams' Division Win: Forecasted the Rams leading their division, which came to fruition as long-term strategies paid off.

• Where Colin Was Wrong:

  • Dallas Cowboys' Season Performance: Initially deemed their season as "in the middle of a soft tank," but the team's mid-tier performance proved resilient.
  • LeBron's Performance Decline: Misjudged player performance declines, attributing them to physical limitations prematurely.
  • Brock Purdy's Valuation: Overestimated Purdy's market value and impact compared to his actual performance.

Colin candidly assesses his analysis, crediting Matt Hasselbeck for providing balanced perspectives and acknowledging the dynamic nature of the NFL.

Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Analysis

Timestamp: [35:00]

The discussion briefly touches on the Green Bay Packers, highlighting their young roster averaging 25 years old. Colin expresses concern over their playoff readiness due to inexperience, whereas Matt praises head coach Matt Lafleur for his comprehensive coaching approach and the team's balanced performance on both offense and defense.

Regarding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Colin commends Baker Mayfield's leadership and the team's defensive prowess, especially against the run. He notes, "We got to give the Rams some credit. They're coming hard," showcasing respect for their adversaries' strengths.

Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City Chiefs' Strategy

Timestamp: [38:00]

Patrick Mahomes is lauded as one of the best quarterbacks, with Colin speculating on how the Kansas City Chiefs might handle his recent injury. He speculates that Mahomes, known for his competitive nature, will strive to play despite injuries, drawing parallels to legendary athletes' resilience.

Matt concurs, explaining that Coach Andy Reid is adept at managing star quarterbacks. He suggests that while sitting Mahomes could disrupt team rhythm, allowing him to play while monitoring his health aligns with Reid's philosophy of maintaining competitiveness and demonstrating toughness.

Notable Quote:

• Colin: "He's the guy now, that doesn't mean he's going to win it, and that doesn't mean that they're going to hoist the Lombardi. But if you're a Bills fan and you ever thought, hey, this is the year that our quarterback wins MVP and this is the year that the Bills finally hoist that Lombardi, like, you're probably right." [37:10]

Q&A and Listener Interaction

Timestamp: [43:35]

Towards the episode's conclusion, Colin and Matt engage in a Q&A segment, addressing listener questions about team strategies, player performances, and coaching decisions. They emphasize the importance of team cohesion, adaptability, and strategic flexibility in navigating the competitive NFL landscape.

Key Insights:

• Team Dynamics: Success hinges on balancing star performances with collective teamwork.
• Coaching Philosophy: Effective coaching adapts to player strengths and situational demands.
• Player Resilience: Both quarterbacks and teams must demonstrate mental and physical toughness to excel.

Closing Remarks

Timestamp: [46:00]

The episode wraps up with Matt Hasselbeck sharing personal reflections on his trophy room, underscoring that while accolades are cherished, the true value lies in the journey, memories, and relationships forged throughout his career.

Notable Quote:

• Matt Hasselbeck: "Honestly, man, like, none of it matters, really. It's kind of the journey, I guess. Maybe this one over here, over this over here. These are like my girls' national championship trophies over there. So if your kids ever have something, it means more to you than anything that you ever did." [46:25]

Colin appreciates Matt's perspective, reinforcing the episode's theme of valuing the process over mere outcomes.

Conclusion

"The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Best of The Herd" serves as a comprehensive analysis of the current NFL landscape, blending expert commentary with candid reflections. By dissecting team performances, player trajectories, and coaching strategies, Colin and Matt provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of the sport's complexities as teams vie for playoff supremacy.

Notable Quotes Compilation:

• "They have all the qualities of a bad or poorly run franchise, yet all the Eagles do is win." — Colin Cowherd [05:00]

• "They have five different ways to beat you. The layering of talent's incredible." — Colin Cowherd [05:00]

• "Josh Allen has not taken a sack in a month. Good luck getting a hold of him." — Colin Cowherd [07:00]

• "He's got the grit, he's got a chip on his shoulder and I think he's a really good leader." — Colin Cowherd [20:19]

• "He's the guy now, that doesn't mean he's going to win it, and that doesn't mean that they're going to hoist the Lombardi." — Colin Cowherd [37:10]

• "It's more about the journey and the memories and the teammates and the coaches." — Matt Hasselbeck [46:25]

This detailed summary encapsulates the episode's core discussions, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners seeking to stay informed on NFL narratives without tuning into the full podcast.