Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 1: "Deion Sanders Might Be on the Move"

Release Date: January 16, 2025

Introduction

In the premiere hour of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," the discussion revolves around the tantalizing possibility of Deion Sanders joining the Dallas Cowboys as their head coach. Host Colin Cowherd, alongside co-host Adnan Virk, delves deep into the implications of this potential move, analyzing the dynamics between Sanders and Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones, the impact on the team's roster, and the broader coaching landscape in the NFL.

Deion Sanders and the Dallas Cowboys

Potential Coaching Move: Colin Cowherd opens the episode by discussing reports from respected journalist Ed Werder about Deion Sanders being a strong candidate for the Cowboys' head coaching position. Werder mentions that Jerry Jones is enthusiastic about the idea, stating, "I'm being told he would certainly accept it if Jerry Jones offered the next cowboy coaching head coaching gig to him" ([03:32] Colin Cowherd).

Showmanship and Leadership: Colin draws parallels between Sanders and Jones, highlighting their shared flair for showmanship and risk-taking. He notes, "They're performers. They'll take risks. And if you criticize him, they'll come on your show and talk about it" ([03:32] Colin Cowherd). This dynamic suggests that both figures thrive in the spotlight and are unafraid to make bold moves.

Coaching Credentials: Despite Sanders' charisma, Colin scrutinizes his coaching record, pointing out that Sanders led Colorado to a 13-12 record over two years—a modest achievement in the competitive Big 12 conference. He questions Sanders' readiness for the NFL, stating, "But salesmanship is huge in College football. That's 75% of the game." ([03:32] Colin Cowherd).

Team Composition and Roster Challenges: Colin expresses concerns about the Cowboys' current roster, emphasizing that the team is top-heavy with an overpaid quarterback and lacks depth in other key positions. He asserts, "The Cowboys ended up, believe it or not, being too good to get a Great draft pick in a really, really okay draft." ([03:32] Colin Cowherd).

Quarterback Analysis and Rankings

Top NFL Quarterbacks: The conversation shifts to an in-depth analysis of the remaining quarterbacks in the NFL playoffs. Colin ranks them as follows:

1. Patrick Mahomes: Described as "the best play from behind big game quarterback in the NFL" with an undefeated playoff record ([46:25] Colin Cowherd).
2. Josh Allen: Highlighted for his pure talent, rushing ability, and impressive playoff statistics ([46:25] Colin Cowherd).
3. Lamar Jackson: Praised as an "all-time unicorn" with unique playing style and significant offensive contributions ([46:25] Colin Cowherd).
4. Matt Stafford: Noted for his beautiful passing mechanics and strong playoff performance ([46:25] Colin Cowherd).
5. Jared Goff: Recognized for his pocket passing skills and consistent performance ([46:25] Colin Cowherd).
6. Jaden Daniels: Lauded as the best rookie quarterback since Elway, demonstrating poise and intelligence ([46:25] Colin Cowherd).
7. C.J. Stroud: Acknowledged for his passing ability despite some challenges with the offensive line ([46:25] Colin Cowherd).
8. Jalen Hurts: Positioned as the outlier in the rankings, noted for his dual-threat capabilities but placed last due to pocket passing limitations ([46:25] Colin Cowherd).

Playoff Performances: Colin emphasizes the importance of playoff performance in evaluating quarterbacks, highlighting Mahomes' seven straight playoff wins and Josh Allen's record of "1 in 3 all-time in the divisional round." He remarks, "Josh Allen is number two. And I think there's an argument that Josh Allen's the most pure talented traits player at this position ever." ([46:25] Colin Cowherd).

Coaching Trends: Offensive vs. Defensive Coaches

Preference for Offensive Coaches: Colin argues that NFL teams performing well and winning Super Bowls tend to have offensive-minded coaches. He cites Andy Reid, Jim Harbaugh, Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan, and Sean Payton as examples of successful offensive coaches who have effectively managed their teams' offensive lines and key offensive positions.

Challenges for Defensive Coaches: In contrast, Colin expresses skepticism about defensive coaches, pointing out that defenses often struggle to adapt in the modern NFL. He states, "Defensive players, Greg Cosell, Jordan Schultz, both around the corner, live in Los Angeles, it's the Herd. Whether you're ordering wings for the game, whipping up a seven layer dip or ordering pizza" ([46:25] Colin Cowherd), emphasizing the shift towards offensive strategies in the league.

Impact on Team Performance: Colin highlights that teams with strong offensive coaching often secure better results, whereas defensive coaches may not have the same level of impact. He mentions, "The winners at the end of these seasons seem like it's John Harbaugh and offensive coaches." ([46:25] Colin Cowherd).

Coaching Speculations: Bill Belichick's Future

Belichick's Status: The discussion turns to the future of Bill Belichick, the legendary head coach of the New England Patriots. There is speculation about Belichick potentially returning to the NFL after a $10 million buyout.

Opinion on Belichick's Return: Colin and Adnan express doubt about Belichick's likelihood to return to the NFL, considering his current commitments in college football. Adnan remarks, "But I'm not picking up. Just kidding. But yeah, he would have certainly listened." ([34:21] Colin Cowherd).

Organizational Focus: Colin believes that organizations like Philadelphia and Buffalo winning their respective games will likely keep Belichick focused on college coaching rather than an NFL comeback. He concludes, "I think Bill is going to stay at Carolina for a year." ([33:21] Colin Cowherd).

Game Predictions and Betting Insights

Buffalo Bills vs. Opponent: Colin shares his betting pick for the weekend, favoring the Buffalo Bills with points. He argues that Buffalos' offensive depth, including players like James Cook and Josh Allen, gives them an edge. "[28:14] Colin Cowherd: I think it's a much deeper, more diverse offensive menu."

Rams vs. Eagles: The hosts analyze the upcoming Rams vs. Eagles game, predicting a low-scoring affair due to the Rams' strong defense and the Eagles' tendency to hold the ball too long, potentially inviting sacks. Colin suggests, "I think this game is like 2317 ish in that ball. It's not high scoring." ([29:00] Colin Cowherd).

Defensive Line Performance: Highlighting the Rams' defensive prowess, particularly their recent performance against the Vikings with nine sacks, Colin underscores the importance of a strong defensive line in controlling game outcomes. He states, "The Rams have their last two drafts. They're like 6 for 6 on their high end defensive draft picks. They're all excellent." ([30:24] Colin Cowherd).

Other Team Analyses

Steelers' Quarterback Situation: The Steelers' ongoing quarterback dilemma is discussed, with Colin critiquing the lack of elite quarterback prospects and expressing skepticism about potential moves, such as trading T.J. Watt and George Pickens for a player like Shador Sanders.

Detroit Lions' Defensive Strategy: Colin praises Aaron Glenn's work as the Lions' defensive coordinator, especially given the injuries and challenges faced during the season. He remarks, "Aaron Glenn says, yeah, I know what you're saying. I'm a defensive coach, not an offensive Coach. And here's Mr. Glenn. I'm a coach. I just happen to be on defense." ([46:27] Colin Cowherd).

Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Colin Cowherd reiterates his main points on Deion Sanders' potential move to the Cowboys, the importance of offensive coaching in the NFL, and his quarterback rankings. He invites listeners to tune in for live editions and upcoming discussions on coaching changes, team performances, and more insights into the NFL landscape.

Notable Quotes

• "You can count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities to small towns on America's largest 5G network." ([00:00] Colin Cowherd) (Note: This is part of an advertisement and not included in the main content.)

• "Jerry's DNA was an oil cat.' Let's dig and see what we've got down there." ([03:32] Colin Cowherd)

• "Aaron Glenn says, yeah, I know what you're saying. I'm a defensive coach, not an offensive Coach." ([46:25] Colin Cowherd)

• "I think Bill Belichick is going to stay at Carolina for a year." ([33:21] Colin Cowherd)

Conclusion

Hour 1 of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" provides a comprehensive look into the potential coaching moves within the NFL, particularly focusing on Deion Sanders' fit with the Dallas Cowboys. Through detailed analysis and candid discussions, Colin Cowherd offers listeners valuable insights into team dynamics, coaching efficacy, and quarterback performance, making it a must-listen for sports enthusiasts keen on understanding the intricacies of the NFL landscape.