Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – “Best of The Herd” (December 20, 2024)

The Herd with Colin Cowherd, hosted by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, offers a compelling and opinionated exploration of the day's top sports stories. In the "Best of The Herd" episode released on December 20, 2024, Colin Cowherd and co-host Jason McIntyre delve into a wide array of topics spanning the NFL, college football, the NBA, and broader sports business dynamics. Below is a comprehensive summary of the episode, structured into distinct sections to highlight key discussions, insights, and notable quotes.

1. NFL Analysis and Playoff Predictions

Justin Herbert's Stellar Performance

Colin Cowherd begins the episode with an in-depth analysis of Justin Herbert's performance in the Chargers' recent game. He praises Herbert's talent and leadership, drawing parallels to Patrick Mahomes:

Colin Cowherd [03:43]: “Herbert is so talented he got the legendary coach to come to him. Harbaugh said, yeah, get me to the NFL. I'll leave the powerhouse. I'm gonna go to him.”

Cowherd discusses Herbert's ability to perform under pressure, highlighting his scrambling for first downs and effective touchdown passes:

Colin Cowherd [03:49]: “He could only win by shootout. So when I hear this all the time. Well, a playoff game. Brock Purdy has four playoff wins... Context matters.”

AFC Playoff Picture Conclusion

The hosts assess the current state of the AFC playoff landscape, asserting that the AFC scenario is largely settled with most playoff teams already determined:

Colin Cowherd [73:11]: “I think the AFC playoff picture and here's what's funny, the NFL extended to 17 games. It's already done. We got three games left... The AFC is done.”

Jason McIntyre concurs, emphasizing the improbability of teams like the Colts or Bengals making unexpected playoff runs:

Jason McIntyre [14:27]: “You don't give Bengals, like no 20 chance.”

2. College Football Insights and Interview with Dan Mullen

Blazing Five Picks and Game Previews

Colin and Jason present their "Blazing Five" picks for the weekend's college football games, offering detailed predictions and reasoning behind each choice. Highlights include:

• Indiana vs. Notre Dame: Colin supports Indiana with a halftime advantage, considering the weather's impact on the game.

  Colin Cowherd [45:18]: “I really like Indiana's coach. I think Ohio State's a different team in good weather than Notre Dame in bad weather.”

• Clemson vs. Texas: Both hosts favor Texas to cover the spread, citing Texas's strong defense despite offensive challenges.

  Jason McIntyre [45:11]: “I like the Longhorns to cover. I don't know how Clemson scores.”

Interview with Dan Mullen

In a standout segment, former ESPN college football analyst and current UNLV coach Dan Mullen joins the show. They discuss various topics, including:

• Challenges of Coaching in the SEC: Mullen reflects on the pressures and criticisms faced by coaches in high-stakes environments.

  Dan Mullen [59:50]: “There's no one in the state of Ohio that wanted to win that game more than Ryan Day and put more into it.”

• Transfer Portal and Player Development: Mullen critiques the current transfer system, advocating for stability in player commitments to enhance development.

  Dan Mullen [64:39]: “I kind of wish they'd get rid of that [transfer portal window]. Establish your roster, show kids. I'm going to go to this school, I'm going to make a one-year commitment.”

• Future of College Football: He emphasizes the need for equitable resource distribution and a focus on player development over frequent team changes.

  Dan Mullen [67:02]: “The kids deserve some of that money... We can't get out of our own way sometimes.”

3. NBA Ratings Decline and Game Style Changes

Declining Viewership and Hollywood Influence

Colin addresses the NBA’s significant drop in ratings, attributing it to an overemphasis on entertainment akin to Hollywood, leading to dissatisfaction among traditional fans:

Colin Cowherd [23:09]: “The NBA is having their Hollywood moment. Hollywood is shrinking. Streamers have a lot to do with that and AI probably providing some discomfort as well.”

He critiques the league's shift towards excessive three-point shooting, arguing that it detracts from the game's fundamentals and appeal:

Colin Cowherd [23:56]: “LeBron nailed it. They got too many threes, and a lot of guys shouldn't be shooting them.”

Comparisons to Baseball's Adjustments

Drawing parallels with baseball's recent tweaks to improve the game's pace and excitement, Colin suggests the NBA should similarly refine its rules to regain viewer interest:

Colin Cowherd [24:13]: “Baseball said, we got to make changes. We got to change the menu. We got to be flexible.”

4. Controversy in the Jets Organization

Woody Johnson's Unprofessional Conduct

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to criticizing New York Jets owner Woody Johnson. The hosts discuss an incident from 2022 where Johnson publicly berated quarterback Michael White:

Colin Cowherd [27:07]: “Which is outrageous.”

Jason McIntyre [27:32]: “...Woody Johnson says, 'You should throw your helmet. You effing suck.' Which is very outrageous.”

They highlight the negative impact such behavior has on team morale and organizational reputation:

Jason McIntyre [29:54]: “I'll guarantee you. Take this to the bank. Vrabel's not touching this job. No shot.”

5. Player Performance Analyses

Jordan Love's Improvement

The discussion shifts to Green Bay Packers' quarterback Jordan Love, noting his recent surge in performance metrics:

Jason McIntyre [30:13]: “He's gone four straight games without a pick. Seven touchdowns in those games.”

Colin Cowherd [31:05]: “I think he's playing at a really high level.”

Micah Parsons' Contract Stance

Cowherd and McIntyre examine linebacker Micah Parsons' comments on his contract negotiations, questioning his willingness to take less money:

Jason McIntyre [32:00]: “But I don't know how they're gonna spend the money that you're not giving me.”

Colin Cowherd [33:05]: “I think Meg Garrett and T.J. Watt are better.”

6. Sports Business and Television Revenue

Impact of Streaming and Social Media

The hosts discuss the evolving landscape of sports broadcasting, emphasizing the shift from traditional TV to streaming and social media platforms. They argue that leagues must adapt to maintain relevance and viewership:

Colin Cowherd [78:37]: “The games have to matter. You can't make hockey, baseball, and NBA regular season matter.”

Television Deals and Financial Strategies

Colin critiques recent television deals, such as baseball’s partnership with Roku, suggesting they indicate desperation to boost viewership:

Jason McIntyre [80:25]: “They just got their new deal. They are flush with cash. It was what, a billion-dollar deal?”

Colin Cowherd [80:30]: “This is a business for these billionaires. This is a business for the leagues. More games equal more money.”

7. Closing Segments and Final Thoughts

Holiday Season Reflections

As the episode wraps up, Colin shares his excitement for upcoming college football playoff games, emphasizing the decline of the SEC's dominance and spotlighting teams like Texas and Notre Dame:

Colin Cowherd [77:26]: “What a weekend of massive college football. The College Football Playoff starts tonight.”

Future Forecasts and Season Outlook

He forecasts a challenging finish for the NFL season, critiquing the league’s expansion of the regular season and predicting limited playoff implications:

Colin Cowherd [77:26]: “The NFL extended their season and they're going to expand it to another game. That's why I don't like extending the NFL season.”

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Colin Cowherd [03:43]: “Herbert is so talented he got the legendary coach to come to him. Harbaugh said, yeah, get me to the NFL. I'll leave the powerhouse. I'm gonna go to him.”

• Jason McIntyre [14:27]: “You don't give Bengals, like no 20 chance.”

• Dan Mullen [59:50]: “There's no one in the state of Ohio that wanted to win that game more than Ryan Day and put more into it.”

• Colin Cowherd [23:09]: “The NBA is having their Hollywood moment. Hollywood is shrinking. Streamers have a lot to do with that and AI probably providing some discomfort as well.”

• Colin Cowherd [27:07]: “Which is outrageous.”

• Colin Cowherd [80:30]: “This is a business for these billionaires. This is a business for the leagues. More games equal more money.”

Conclusion

In this "Best of The Herd" episode, Colin Cowherd and Jason McIntyre provide a thorough examination of current sports scenarios, blending insightful analysis with candid opinions. From dissecting NFL playoff outlooks and quarterback performances to critiquing the NBA's strategic shifts and addressing organizational controversies like those surrounding the Jets, the hosts navigate through complex topics with clarity and passion. Their conversation with Dan Mullen adds depth to the college football discourse, highlighting the evolving challenges and opportunities within the sport.

Listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the interplay between sports performance, business decisions, and cultural shifts affecting viewership and fan engagement. The episode serves as a valuable resource for sports enthusiasts seeking informed perspectives on contemporary sports issues.