The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Episode Summary: Hour 1 - The Tush Push Lives

Release Date: May 21, 2025

1. NFL’s Tush Push Play Controversy

Discussion Overview: Colin Cowherd opens the episode with a deep dive into the ongoing debate surrounding the NFL's controversial "tush push" play. Despite recommendations from both the NFL's Petitions Committee and Health and Safety Committee to ban the play, the league owners voted to retain it by a narrow margin.

Key Points:

• Committee Recommendations vs. Owner Decisions: Both the NFL's Petitions Committee and Health and Safety Committee recommended banning the tush push due to safety concerns and its impact on the game's integrity. However, the owners overruled these recommendations, keeping the play alive by a margin of 24-22 votes.

• Influence of Key Players: Jason Kelce, a respected former Eagle center, played a pivotal role in advocating for the continuation of the tush push. His influence was instrumental in swaying a couple of votes in favor of retaining the play.

• Safety and Entertainment Concerns: Critics argue that the tush push is both dangerous and visually unappealing, potentially harming the sport's image on television. Dion Dawkins echoes these sentiments, stating, “It looks dangerous and it's ugly. Optics on TV aren't good” ([03:23]).

• Owners' Control Over the League: Colin emphasizes the overarching power of NFL owners, noting, “The NFL owners are all powerful. They control everything... They can blow those TD contracts up in the middle of them and renegotiate if they want” ([04:11]).

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd [03:20]: “We got another example of that today with a tush push.”
• Dion Dawkins [07:20]: “It's a very hard play for a player... but it's so necessary in the game.”
• Colin Cowherd [04:10]: “The owners win again.”

2. NBA Team Performances and Player Analysis

Discussion Overview: Shifting focus to the NBA, Colin and his guests discuss the impressive regular season run of the Oklahoma City Thunder and their strategic gameplay in the playoffs, particularly against teams like Memphis and Minnesota.

Key Points:

• OKC Thunder’s Historic Season: Oklahoma City has had a remarkable regular season, surpassing historical averages with an average winning margin of 12.9 points, reminiscent of the legendary Jordan-era Bulls.

• Playoff Strategies: The Thunder dominated Memphis in the first round and Minnesota in subsequent games, leveraging their deep and flexible rosters crafted by General Managers Howie Roseman and Sam Presti.

• Defensive Prowess: Oklahoma City's defense has been a cornerstone of their success, effectively shutting down key players like Nikola Jokic by cutting down passing lanes, thereby limiting offensive threats.

• Ant Edwards’ Challenges: Analyzing Ant Edwards’ performance, Colin notes the difficulty he faces against OKC’s defense, highlighting the need for more versatile playmaking and shot opportunities ([12:29]).

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd [07:20]: “OKC like the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles are not really built on a player. They're built on a general manager.”
• Dion Dawkins [24:18]: “I would take Indiana and the points. I think it's going to be a great series.”

3. Quarterback Rankings and Analysis

Discussion Overview: Colin engages in a discussion with Mark Few about Pro Football Focus's (PFF) annual quarterback rankings. They assess the accuracy of these rankings and their implications for the NFL landscape.

Key Points:

• PFF’s Tiered Rankings: PFF categorizes quarterbacks into six tiers. Colin largely agrees with their tiering but suggests adjustments, particularly advocating for promoting C.J. Stroud from Tier 3 to a higher tier based on his performance and potential.

• Historical Comparisons: Reflecting on past eras, they compare the current quarterback pool to legendary groups from the Elway, Montana, Brady, and Mahomes eras, emphasizing that typically only a select few dominate consistently.

• Influence of Coaching and Team Structure: Mark Few highlights the significant role of coaching and team support in a quarterback's success, noting that environment often plays a critical role alongside individual talent.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd [35:03]: “I think PFF got it right and don't have a problem with any of the grades.”
• Mark Few [34:04]: “There’s no injury data yet on it.”

4. WNBA Officiating and Caitlin Clark’s Achievements

Discussion Overview: The conversation turns to the WNBA, focusing on recent officiating controversies and the stellar performance of star player Caitlin Clark, highlighting the league's growth and increasing competitiveness.

Key Points:

• Officiating Controversies: Recent games have seen an uptick in complaints about refereeing, signaling greater viewer engagement and investment in the outcomes of games.

• Caitlin Clark’s Record-Breaking Performance: Clark has tied a WNBA record for the most career games with 20 points and 10 assists, showcasing her exceptional skill and elevating the league's competitive standards.

• League Maturity: The increasing scrutiny on officiating reflects the WNBA's maturation as a major sports league where fans are genuinely invested in the fairness and outcome of games.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd [27:43]: “You can tell when a sport arrives because people start complaining about officiating.”
• Dion Dawkins [28:14]: “How many officiating controversies do we have in the WNBA the last, I don't know, 20 years? None. Last night, Fever.”

5. College Basketball's Revival and NIL Impact

Discussion Overview: Colin and Dion explore the resurgence of college basketball, attributing it to the introduction of Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) policies, the transfer portal, and the recruitment of international players, which have collectively elevated the sport's quality and viewership.

Key Points:

• Impact of NIL Policies: The ability for college athletes to profit from their NIL has encouraged top-tier players to remain in college longer, enhancing the competitiveness and skill level of college basketball.

• Shifts in Player Pathways: There's been a significant increase in international players choosing to play college basketball in the U.S., as opposed to going overseas or joining the G League, leading to higher quality play and more dynamic team rosters.

• Increased Viewership: The first two rounds of the NCAA tournament saw the highest TV ratings in 32 years, indicating a renewed national interest in college basketball.

• Comparisons to Past Eras: Previously, dominant college players often translated directly to NBA success, but recent shifts had diluted this effect. However, the current changes are revitalizing the pipeline between college and professional basketball.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd [49:55]: “College basketball has been watered down for about 25 years.”
• Dion Dawkins [51:21]: “Now I do wonder real quick, you know, we saw the European way is thriving in the NBA. What happens when you remove the European teenagers and bring them to America and they’re no longer playing the European way?”

Conclusion: In this episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," a comprehensive exploration of current sports controversies and triumphs is undertaken. From the NFL's contentious decisions and NBA strategies to groundbreaking achievements in the WNBA and the transformative effects of NIL in college basketball, the discussion offers insightful analysis and expert opinions. Colin Cowherd effectively navigates these multifaceted topics, providing listeners with a rich and engaging overview of the sports landscape as of May 2025.