Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "Best of The Herd" (May 21, 2025)
The "Best of The Herd" episode of Colin Cowherd's podcast delves into a range of pressing sports topics, offering in-depth analysis, insightful discussions, and expert opinions. This summary encapsulates the key points, notable quotes, and overarching themes presented throughout the episode.
1. NFL Ownership and the 'Tush Push' Controversy
Overview: Colin Cowherd opens the discussion by spotlighting the ongoing debate surrounding the NFL's 'tush push' play. Despite recommendations from both the competition and health and safety committees to ban the maneuver, NFL owners voted narrowly to retain it.
Key Points:
- Owner Dominance: The episode emphasizes that NFL owners hold ultimate decision-making power, often overruling committee recommendations.
- 'Tush Push' Details: The play, favored by teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, received mixed reactions due to its perceived impact on game safety and aesthetics.
- Influential Voices: Jason Kelsey, former Eagles center, played a pivotal role in influencing the owners to keep the 'tush push,' highlighting the significance of respected player opinions.
Notable Quotes:
- "The NFL owners run everything... it's an owner-run league." [02:30]
- "The 'tush push' kind of violates both entertainment and safety... it looks dangerous and it's ugly." [05:15]
- “Jason Kelsey is highly respected... he tush pushed it into not being banned.” [10:45]
Insights: The retention of the 'tush push' underscores the tension between maintaining traditional gameplay elements and evolving safety standards. Colin suggests that despite the play's controversial nature, its strategic benefits make it a staple in the current NFL landscape.
2. NBA Dominance: Oklahoma City Thunder's Historic Season
Overview: Shifting focus to the NBA, Colin analyzes the Oklahoma City Thunder's unprecedented performance during the regular season, comparing it to the legendary Chicago Bulls era.
Key Points:
- Record Performance: The Thunder dominated the Western Conference, averaging a 12.9-point margin similar to Michael Jordan's Bulls.
- Team Construction: Emphasis on the role of general managers like Sam Presti in building deep, flexible rosters rather than relying solely on star players.
- Defensive Prowess: Oklahoma City's defense, highlighted by their ability to stifle top opponents like Nikola Jokic, plays a crucial role in their success.
Notable Quotes:
- "Oklahoma City rolled through the NBA's regular season historically, winning by an average of 12.9 points." [15:20]
- "They are built on a general manager, Howie Roseman, and Sam Presti... insanely deep and flexible rosters." [18:40]
- “Their defense looks like they're playing seven guys... they shut off lanes and avenues.” [22:10]
Insights: Colin attributes the Thunder's success to strategic roster management and robust defense, positioning them as a formidable force in the NBA with potential championship aspirations.
3. PFF Quarterback Tier Rankings and NFL Talent Analysis
Overview: The podcast delves into Pro Football Focus (PFF)'s rankings of NFL quarterbacks, scrutinizing the placement and evaluating its alignment with Colin's perspective.
Key Points:
- Tier Breakdown: PFF categorizes quarterbacks into six tiers, with Tier 1 including elite players like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen.
- Discrepancies Noted: Colin expresses disagreement with the placement of certain quarterbacks, such as C.J. Stroud, believing they may deserve higher rankings.
- Historical Comparisons: Drawing parallels to past eras, Colin emphasizes that a select group of quarterbacks typically dominates league discussions and success.
Notable Quotes:
- “PFF got it right and don't have a problem with any of the grades.” [28:30]
- “Mahomes, Lamar, Josh, and Burrow have separated... there’s no question that’s the first group.” [32:15]
- “C.J. Stroud is the one. To me, I think he either has to be the number one tier-two quarterback or he’s darn close.” [35:50]
Insights: The discussion highlights the subjective nature of player rankings and the importance of performance consistency. Colin advocates for a nuanced evaluation of quarterbacks, considering both current form and potential.
4. College Football NIL Deals and North Carolina's Strategic Shift
Overview: Colin examines the evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals in college football, focusing on the University of North Carolina's approach to compete with dominant programs like Clemson.
Key Points:
- Innovative Strategies: North Carolina leverages NIL opportunities to attract top talent, mirroring disruptive tactics seen in other sports leagues.
- Competitive Edge: By embracing NIL, the Tar Heels aim to level the playing field, challenging established powerhouses within their conference.
- Historical Context: Comparisons are drawn to Oregon's strategic shifts under Chip Kelly, emphasizing the need for bold moves to gain a competitive advantage.
Notable Quotes:
- “Clemson will not play the NIL game, so let’s go all in on NIL... to catch the big dog.” [40:20]
- “To catch the big dog in a conference, you got to take big swings.” [42:10]
- “North Carolina smartly said, okay, they're not going to do it. This is a moment in time to disrupt.” [43:05]
Insights: North Carolina's proactive embrace of NIL deals represents a strategic pivot aimed at enhancing team competitiveness and talent acquisition, potentially reshaping the power dynamics within college football.
5. Buffalo Bills: The Only Team Favored to Win Every Game Next Season
Overview: Colin discusses the Buffalo Bills' unique position as the sole team expected to win each game in the upcoming NFL season, analyzing the implications and underlying challenges.
Key Points:
- Team Dynamics: Despite being favorites, the Bills face potential challenges related to key player health and coaching strategies.
- Josh Allen's Prime: The quarterback's prime performance is pivotal, though concerns about his team's depth and offensive line persist.
- Historical Underachievement: The Bills' history of strong regular seasons without securing championships adds pressure to their current trajectory.
Notable Quotes:
- “Buffalo is the only team favored to win every game next year.” [25:50]
- “Josh Allen just turned 29... he's in the middle of his prime.” [28:00]
- “Buffalo’s been the best team in the NFL without any trophies. That's a good enough to get there, often gets there, but has no trophies.” [30:45]
Insights: The Bills' status as consistent favorites juxtaposed with their historical lack of championships raises questions about their long-term sustainability and the factors that could impede their success despite high expectations.
6. Conversation with Jeff Pearlman and Jason McIntyre: Brett Favre vs. Aaron Rodgers
Overview: In a special segment, Colin hosts Jeff Pearlman and Jason McIntyre to discuss the complex relationship between legendary Packers quarterbacks Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, exploring personal dynamics and their impact on the franchise.
Key Points:
- Personality Clashes: The contrasting personalities of Favre and Rodgers, with Favre's larger-than-life character versus Rodgers' more measured demeanor, created tension within the team.
- Market Influence: Green Bay's small-market environment intensified the scrutiny and pressure on both players, affecting their personal and professional relationships.
- Post-Green Bay Dynamics: Rodgers' transition to a larger market showcased the challenges athletes face when moving from a tightly-knit community to a more expansive and impersonal environment.
Notable Quotes:
- “Tupac's ashes were actually saved... he is actually buried beneath a gravesite in a field.” [38:22]
- “Aaron Rodgers really started to believe I’m the smartest guy in the room... but once you go national, it doesn't play out that well.” [40:50]
- “Tupac Shakur has a burial site that I actually went to and stood at. So that was kind of mind-blowing.” [48:22]
Insights: The segment delves into how individual egos and environmental factors can influence team dynamics, using Favre and Rodgers as case studies to illustrate the delicate balance between player personalities and organizational harmony.
7. NBA Ratings and Viewership Trends
Overview: Colin provides an analysis of current NBA ratings, noting improvements during playoff broadcasts but highlighting ongoing challenges during the regular season.
Key Points:
- Playoff Boost: The first two rounds of the NBA playoffs saw an average of 4.2 million viewers, marking a 3.3% increase from the previous year.
- Regular Season Struggles: Despite playoff success, regular-season games continue to face declining viewership due to an increasingly fragmented media landscape.
- Impact of Team Performance: Specific team performances, like Minnesota and Oklahoma City, influence regional and national viewership numbers.
Notable Quotes:
- “PER Nielsen Live, same day data, first two rounds of the NBA playoffs average 4.2 million viewers, 3.3% improvement versus a year ago.” [34:47]
- “Regular season ratings going forward are never going to be great because we are an event society.” [35:30]
- “The increases in ratings will go now backwards for Minnesota. OKC. I think it'll go backwards.” [36:10]
Insights: While playoff excitement temporarily boosts NBA viewership, the regular season continues to grapple with declining interest, a trend exacerbated by the proliferation of content platforms and shifting consumer habits.
8. Miscellaneous Discussions and Closing Remarks
Overview: The episode wraps up with brief mentions of other topics, including college basketball developments, Jeff Pearlman's upcoming book on Tupac Shakur, and promotional segments interspersed throughout the conversation.
Key Points:
- College Basketball: Anticipation of positive developments in the college basketball scene, details to be discussed in upcoming segments.
- Jeff Pearlman's Book: Announcement of Pearlman's forthcoming book, "Tupac Shakur: Only God Can Judge Me," revealing surprising insights into the late rapper's legacy.
- Promotional Content: Multiple advertisements for brands like BMW IX, Rocket Mortgage, Uber Eats, Degree, Sono Bello, Gemini Credit Card, and Paycor were interspersed, though these were not the focus of the episode's content.
Notable Quotes:
- “At the end of the season, there's only one team that can call themselves NBA champs.” [50:10]
- “You can bet Buffalo is in a really tough spot.” [52:30]
- “Look, how do you have a relationship where one person is a 22-year-old and the other is 67? It’s a little weird.” [46:25]
Insights: The closing segments highlight upcoming content and future discussions, maintaining the episode's engagement with the audience while seamlessly transitioning between in-depth analyses and lighter conversational topics.
Conclusion
The "Best of The Herd" episode provides listeners with a comprehensive exploration of significant sports narratives spanning the NFL, NBA, college football, and intriguing personal stories within the sports community. Through expert commentary and dynamic discussions, Colin Cowherd ensures a rich and engaging listening experience, catering both to avid sports enthusiasts and casual fans seeking informed perspectives.