Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Best of The Herd (December 17, 2024)

The Herd with Colin Cowherd presents a comprehensive and engaging episode titled "Best of The Herd," released on December 17, 2024. Hosted by Colin Cowherd and produced by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, this episode delves deep into the current landscape of the NFL, providing insightful analysis, expert interviews, and lively discussions on some of the most pressing topics in sports. Below is a detailed summary structured into clear sections, capturing all key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

1. The Herd Hierarchy: Ranking the Top NFL Teams

Colin Cowherd kicks off the episode with his renowned Herd Hierarchy segment, where he ranks the top NFL teams based on their performance, management, and overall potential. This segment provides listeners with a nuanced evaluation of each team's strengths and weaknesses, setting the stage for in-depth discussions.

Key Highlights:

• Philadelphia Eagles (#1): Despite organizational dysfunction, the Eagles boast a 10-game winning streak. Colin remarks, “The most dysfunctional great team in sports... they're loaded. This roster is stacked.” [20:44]

• Kansas City Chiefs (#2): Anchored by Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs remain a powerhouse. Colin notes, “Belichick's going to college. If you could give him one thing, it'd be to be careful about...” [22:14]

• Green Bay Packers (#3): Under Matt LaFleur’s leadership, the Packers have transformed into a power run team. Colin praises, “When they hold opponents under 25, they're 9 and 1.” [23:05]

• Buffalo Bills (#4): While Josh Allen excels, the Bills’ defense ranks 22nd, posing challenges. Colin observes, “They are fifth in takeaways, so they'll take the ball away.” [23:45]

• Los Angeles Rams (#5): Healthy and effective, the Rams have not allowed turnovers or sacks in recent games. Colin emphasizes, “They are hot and feeling it.” [24:30]

• Baltimore Ravens (#7): With a strong run offense and minimal losses, the Ravens remain formidable. Colin states, “It’s the best run offense in the league.” [22:50]

• Minnesota Vikings (#8): Facing quarterback dilemmas with Sam Darnold and potential moves to the Colts, the Vikings are in a transitional phase. Colin discusses, “Sam Darnold is only 27 years old. Somebody's going to get a very good quarterback in his prime.” [21:15]

• Others: Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears are also evaluated, with special attention to their recent performances and strategic decisions.

Notable Quotes:

• “The Chicago Bears are a broken franchise.” – Colin Cowherd [20:55]
• “Vrabel is the only answer.” – Colin Cowherd [21:10]

2. In-Depth Interview with Eric Bieniemy: Insights from an NFL Coordinator

A significant portion of the episode features an exclusive interview with Eric Bieniemy, Offensive Coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs. Eric brings a wealth of experience, having been a two-time Super Bowl champion and a former Heisman Trophy runner-up at Colorado.

Discussion Points:

• Coaching Philosophy and Andy Reid’s Influence:

  • Eric praises Andy Reid’s consistency and adaptability. “He’s not afraid of change. He wants to make sure that whatever needs to be done to win, that’s all that matters.” [36:25]
  • Emphasis on professionalism, accountability, and expert coaching staff.

• Patrick Mahomes’ Development:

  • Reflection on Mahomes’ growth under Reid’s tutelage. Eric shares, “Patrick takes absolutely nothing for granted. You just love him as a person and as a competitor.” [34:23]
  • Highlighting Mahomes’ unique skills and work ethic that set him apart.

• Sam Darnold and the Vikings’ Quarterback Situation:

  • Analysis of Sam Darnold’s potential move to the Indianapolis Colts. “There’s one exception. There’s one exception. The Indianapolis Colts.” [37:00]
  • Discussing the implications of Minnesota potentially letting Darnold go and how it affects their future prospects.
  • (Colin's Take) "I think Minnesota's going to let him go. I try to franchise him, but coaching in this league is not even." [38:00]

• Resurgence of Running Backs in the NFL:

  • Observing the cyclical nature of the NFL and the renewed emphasis on running games. “One thing that I've always known, you throw the ball, okay, to win. But you got to run it to win a championship.” [46:24]
  • Discussion on the impact of dynamic running backs like Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley.

• Challenges in Collegiate vs NFL Coaching:

  • Eric highlights the differences in coaching styles required in college football, especially regarding time constraints. “The only thing that, if anything, I disliked about the college game is the lack of time that we have to teach.” [41:01]
  • Emphasizing the importance of building the right culture around a franchise quarterback.

• Handling Defensive Players:

  • Recounting experiences against formidable defenders like Von Miller. “He was a beast. We tried. In fact, it was a funny story too.” [51:34]

Notable Quotes:

• “Andy Reid is probably the most consistent individual I know.” – Eric Bieniemy [36:25]
• “When you have all that and you combined it together, now you see the consistent winning performance.” – Eric Bieniemy [36:30]
• “It starts up top. It starts with everything.” – Eric Bieniemy [39:43]
• “Running the ball, it takes so much pressure off the quarter.” – Eric Bieniemy [46:57]

3. Analysis of Team Dysfunction and Leadership

Colin and Eric delve into the critical issue of team dysfunction and the role of leadership in shaping a franchise’s success or failure.

Key Insights:

• Chicago Bears’ Organizational Issues:

  • Colin underscores the Bears as a "broken franchise" plagued by inconsistent management and weak coaching. “None of it works. Yeah, they got some decent players. The jets have all sorts of good players.” [20:55]
  • Eric concurs, emphasizing the need for strong, defiant leadership to turn the franchise around.

• Jim Harbaugh’s Coaching Impact on the Chargers:

  • Discussion on the Chargers’ decision to hire Harbaugh and the positive outcomes that followed. “They have not regretted a second of it.” [21:10]
  • Comparison to Chicago’s situation, highlighting the Chargers’ cohesive leadership as a model.

• Importance of Building Around a Quarterback:

  • Both hosts stress the necessity of surrounding a franchise quarterback with the right support system. “You want to make sure that you're building the organization, that program around him.” – Eric Bieniemy [39:02]
  • The significance of creating a culture that fosters a quarterback’s growth and success.

Notable Quotes:

• “The only way to fix it is to go to the Chargers... They finally just said, sometimes in life you just have to admit, I got to get out of the way.” – Colin Cowherd [21:10]
• “There's nobody else out there. There’s nobody else. No college guys, no lightweight coordinators. The job's too big.” – Colin Cowherd [21:15]

4. The Resurgence of the Running Back Position

A significant highlight of the episode is the discussion on the renewed prominence of running backs in the NFL, a trend that had seemed to wane in previous years.

Discussion Points:

• Cyclic Nature of the NFL:

  • Eric explains how the NFL constantly evolves, leading to the resurgence of positions deemed less valuable. “This game has a way of being cyclical. Everything that you think was outdated, it seems to come right back.” [46:13]

• Impact of Physical Running Backs:

  • Emphasis on the strategic advantage of having a strong running game. “If you can run the ball, it takes so much pressure off the quarter.” [46:24]
  • Discussion on how running backs control the clock and limit opponents' opportunities.

• Defensive Adjustments:

  • Analysis of how defensive schemes adapting to perimeter play has inadvertently created opportunities for running games. “You have an opportunity to run it even more.” – Eric Bieniemy [48:13]

• Key Running Backs Performance:

  • Highlighting standout performers like Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, and emerging talents contributing to this trend. “You watch Philly do what they do. But this year has been fun watching all these guys do what they have done.” – Colin Cowherd [48:06]

Notable Quotes:

• “You throw the ball to win. You throw the ball to win football games, to score touchdowns. But you got to run it to win a championship.” – Eric Bieniemy [46:43]
• “The game is still one up front.” – Eric Bieniemy [46:43]

5. Closing Remarks and Future Prospects

As the episode winds down, Colin and Eric reflect on the current state of the NFL and speculate on future developments, emphasizing the importance of strategic leadership and player development.

Key Points:

• Future of the Chicago Bears:

  • Colin remains skeptical about the Bears’ ability to turn around under current management. “I don't know if you can fix Chicago. Some things are unfixable.” [21:30]

• Potential Moves and Team Strategies:

  • Speculation on possible quarterback trades and their impact on team dynamics. “You're not going to get this good of a Sam Darnold because coaching is not even in this league.” [38:00]

• Eric’s Perspective on Coaching Opportunities:

  • Eric shares his resilience and forward-thinking approach towards coaching interviews and opportunities. “The only thing that you build upon is the positives.” [50:04]

Notable Quotes:

• “You got to pick and choose a side.” – Eric Bieniemy [44:58]
• “I don't think Minnesota is a Super Bowl team, but I do think... it's about building the right culture.” – Colin Cowherd [42:21]

Conclusion

"Best of The Herd" offers listeners an in-depth look into the current NFL season, enriched by Eric Bieniemy’s expert insights and Colin Cowherd’s sharp analysis. From the complexities of team leadership and quarterback development to the strategic resurgence of running backs, the episode provides a comprehensive overview of the league’s evolving dynamics. Notable discussions on the Chicago Bears’ struggles, the transformative impact of coaching changes in the Chargers, and the potential futures of quarterbacks like Sam Darnold add layers of depth to the conversation. Overall, this episode serves as an invaluable resource for NFL enthusiasts seeking to understand the intricate interplay of talent, strategy, and management in professional football.

Notable Quotes Recap:

• “The Chicago Bears are a broken franchise.” – Colin Cowherd [20:55]
• “Andy Reid is probably the most consistent individual I know.” – Eric Bieniemy [36:25]
• “You got to run it to win a championship.” – Eric Bieniemy [46:43]

Listeners are encouraged to tune into future episodes of The Herd with Colin Cowherd for continued analysis and engaging sports discussions.