Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2: Getting Prepared for the Big Game

Release Date: February 6, 2025
Host/Authors: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

I. Introduction

In the second hour of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," host Colin Cowherd teams up with notable guests Drew Brees, Matt Hasselbeck, J. Mac, and Mark Sanchez to delve deep into preparations for the upcoming Super Bowl. The discussion centers around team strategies, player evaluations, game planning, and personal experiences from former NFL players.

II. Super Bowl Matchup Analysis

Drew Brees initiates the conversation by introducing their analysis of the upcoming Super Bowl matchup, highlighting the contrast between the Kansas City Chiefs' stacked roster and the New England Patriots' legacy of experienced coaching and quarterbacking.

• Drew Brees [02:55]: "Matt Hasselbeck will be joining us in a couple of minutes as we get ready for the Super Bowl, which I do believe will look a little bit like that. Seahawks stacked roster against the New England Patriots. The lesser roster, but the legendary coach and quarterback."

Matt Hasselbeck concurs, emphasizing the anticipation for the game, labeling it as potentially one of the all-time great Super Bowls.

III. Top Player Rankings and Analysis

Drew Brees presents his ranking of the top 10 players expected to make a significant impact in the Super Bowl:

1. Patrick Mahomes (#1) – Brees praises Mahomes' ability to perform under pressure, noting his "nine consecutive postseason wins" and his knack for elevating his game during playoff intensity.

   • Drew Brees [06:00]: "I think Mahomes needs the playoff intensity to elevate him."

2. Saquon Barkley (#2) – Highlighted as a historic talent with over 100 rushing yards in 14 games, Brees underscores Barkley's unique running style.

   • Drew Brees [06:00]: "Running backs are hard to describe because all the great ones have had stylistically kind of a different bent..."

3. Chris Jones (#3) – Recognized for his versatility and dominance on the defensive line, Brees commends Jones as "unblockable" both on the end and interior.

4. Jalen Carter (#4) – Brees draws parallels between Carter and Aaron Donald, citing his leadership in pressures and tackles for loss.

5. Jordan Malata (#5) – Praised as the highest-graded offensive tackle, Malata's performance is lauded for minimal sacks allowed.

6. Joe Tunney (#6) – Described as the best pass-blocking left guard, Tunney's versatility in protecting the quarterback is highlighted.

7. A.J. Brown (#7) – Brees appreciates Brown's physicality and missed tackles, emphasizing his importance against Kansas City's top-tier tackling.

8. Trent McDuffie (#8) – Acknowledged as Kansas City's second-highest graded cornerback, McDuffie's coverage skills are deemed crucial.

9. Zach Bond (#9) – Celebrated for his special teams prowess and coverage abilities, Bond is identified as a surprising standout.

10. Jalen Hurts (#10) – While Hurts is acknowledged for his overall performance, Brees notes his regression under pressure compared to Mahomes.

Matt Hasselbeck reacts to the rankings, particularly questioning the exclusion of tight end Dallas Goedert and praising the offensive linemen, calling the list "heresy" and expressing concerns about the underrepresentation of key players.

• Matt Hasselbeck [08:31]: "It's heresy, man. What the heck? ... It's disrespectful to the Chiefs. It's disrespectful to the tight end position."

IV. Game Planning and Strategies

The discussion shifts towards game planning, with Matt Hasselbeck drawing from his Super Bowl experience against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He emphasizes the importance of simplicity and avoiding overcomplication in the game plan.

• Matt Hasselbeck [11:43]: "If we're going to put extra stuff in, something's got to come out. So if there's 242 plays in the game plan, then you want to... something's got to come out."

Mark Sanchez adds insights from his own Super Bowl preparation, highlighting the balance between extensive planning and maintaining a streamlined approach to prevent "paralysis by overanalysis."

• Mark Sanchez [42:02]: "Sometimes too much time results in over analysis... we had a couple of those [game-changing plays]."

Both Hasselbeck and Sanchez stress the significance of adaptability, allowing for late-game adjustments without overwhelming players with excessive options.

V. Insights from Matt Hasselbeck and Mark Sanchez

Matt Hasselbeck delves into the pivotal role of offensive linemen and tight ends, arguing for their critical importance in modern NFL strategies. He critiques the undervaluation of tight ends and lauds Andy Reid's approach to coaching these positions.

• Matt Hasselbeck [09:24]: "We're not a liability in the run game, and we are absolutely a threat and a weapon in the passing game."

Mark Sanchez reflects on his time with the New Orleans Saints, emphasizing the unique community support and the profound connection between the team and the city.

• Mark Sanchez [46:37]: "People appreciate the fact that my wife Brittany and I lived right in the heart of the city... that we were all in this whole effort together."

Their combined experiences provide a comprehensive view of the intricate balance between individual talent, team dynamics, and strategic planning essential for reaching and excelling in the Super Bowl.

VI. Team Dynamics and Player Performances

The conversation navigates through the current state of key teams:

• Kansas City Chiefs: Highlighted for their offensive versatility and the evolving role of wide receivers like Juju Smith-Schuster and Xavier Worthy. J. Mac notes the lack of a singular number one receiver, attributing success to a committee approach.

  • J. Mac [27:23]: "JuJu Smith-Schuster believes that defines their selfless wide receiver room."

• New England Patriots: With Mark Sanchez forecasting significant improvements under head coach Mike Vrabel, he predicts the Patriots as the "most improved team in the NFL next year."

  • Drew Brees [30:04]: "I have no trepidation saying the most improved team in the NFL next year will be New England."

• Philadelphia Eagles: Emphasized for their strong offensive line and the dynamic performance of Jalen Hurts, although concerns are raised about Hurts' vulnerability under pressure relative to Mahomes.

VII. Personal Experiences and Community Impact

Mark Sanchez shares his heartfelt connection to New Orleans, underscoring the city's unparalleled support and the deep bonds between the Saints and their fans.

• Mark Sanchez [46:37]: "It just gave you this feeling that, man, we were all in this whole effort together."

Drew Brees echoes similar sentiments, reminiscing about the unique atmosphere of playing in New Orleans and the camaraderie within the community.

VIII. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with final thoughts on team strategies, player performances, and the indispensable role of community support in achieving Super Bowl success. The guests collectively emphasize the importance of intelligent game planning, valuing key positions like offensive linemen and tight ends, and maintaining strong team dynamics to navigate the high-stakes environment of the Super Bowl.

Notable Quotes:

1. Drew Brees [06:00]: "Patrick Mahomes needs the playoff intensity to elevate him."
2. Matt Hasselbeck [08:31]: "It's heresy... It's disrespectful to the Chiefs. It's disrespectful to the tight end position."
3. Mark Sanchez [46:37]: "People appreciate the fact that my wife Brittany and I lived right in the heart of the city... that we were all in this whole effort together."
4. Matt Hasselbeck [11:43]: "If we're going to put extra stuff in, something's got to come out."

This comprehensive discussion provides listeners with an in-depth understanding of the factors shaping the upcoming Super Bowl, enriched by the expertise and firsthand experiences of former NFL players and coaches.