Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: Hour 2 - Taking Care of Your Stars Release Date: July 18, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, host Colin Cowherd delves into a variety of hot topics within the sports world. From golf's rising stars to intense debates in the NFL coaching landscape, and from noteworthy performances in the WNBA to strategic moves in basketball, Colin provides insightful commentary and engages in spirited discussions with guest analysts. Below is a detailed summary of the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn during the episode.

1. Rory McIlroy’s Pursuit at the British Open

Colin Cowherd opens the episode by discussing Rory McIlroy's performance at the British Open held in Northern Ireland. McIlroy, currently three under after two rounds and five strokes behind the leader, is seen as a viable contender for the championship.

Key Points:

• Media Relations: McIlroy has been honest with the media about his training and motivation post his Masters win.
• Media Frustration: Rory expressed frustration with constant media scrutiny, emphasizing quality over quantity in his performance.
• Emotional Victory: Colin reflects on Rory's emotional win at the Masters after 16 attempts, highlighting the personal and national significance.

Notable Quotes:

• "After 16 tries at Augusta, he won on the 17th visit to the Masters. And it was incredibly emotional for me as a viewer." — Colin Cowherd [06:25]
• "I just think Rory McIlroy, it's like, listen, man, I'm not. It's not about volume. It's about quality." — Colin Cowherd [06:45]

2. AFC West Coaching Debate: Zach Taylor vs. Mike McDaniel

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the AFC West division's coaching prowess, specifically comparing Zach Taylor of the Baltimore Ravens and Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins.

Key Points:

• Coaching Credentials: Both coaches have impressive resumes with multiple Super Bowl wins and top-tier defensive strategies.
• Ownership Impact: Zach Taylor faces challenges due to the Ravens' frugal ownership and limited scouting resources, whereas McDaniel benefits from Miami's wealthier ownership group.
• Playoff Performance: Taylor boasts five playoff wins, whereas McDaniel has yet to secure a playoff victory.
• Future Prospects: Despite the advantages, Taylor's coaching is highly regarded, and he is considered for future head coaching positions due to his success despite limited resources.

Notable Quotes:

• "I would put Zach Taylor close to nine or 10 [in coaching rankings]." — Colin Cowherd [11:47]
• "Zach Taylor has won five playoff games. McDaniel has none." — Colin Cowherd [35:08]
• "If you have an amazing quarterback like Joe Burrow, you're going to be in the mix because he's that good." — Mike DeFabio [36:32]

3. Off the Court: WNBA's Officiating Under Fire

The conversation shifts to the WNBA, with a focus on officiating standards and their impact on player safety and game integrity.

Key Points:

• Star Players Highlighting Issues: Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Plum have brought significant attention to the lack of officiating in the WNBA.
• Injury Statistics: With only 179 active players, the league has seen 141 injuries since opening day, including 57 head and neck injuries.
• Comparative Analysis: Unlike the NBA, which allows more physical play during the playoffs, the WNBA lacks sufficient calls during the regular season, leading to player injuries.

Notable Quotes:

• "Caitlin Clark has really shined a light on how bad the officiating is. It's not bad calls, it's no calls." — Colin Cowherd [22:08]
• "Players have already suffered 141 injuries since opening day. It's like one per player." — Colin Cowherd [23:15]
• "The referees here have way too much impact on the game." — Kelsey Plum [24:10]

4. Steelers’ Strategy Shakeup with Aaron Rodgers

The episode delves into the Pittsburgh Steelers' strategic decisions, particularly the acquisition of Aaron Rodgers, and its implications for the team.

Key Points:

• Rodgers’ Integration: Rodgers has seamlessly integrated into the Steelers' locker room, garnering buy-in from teammates.
• Division Analysis: The AFC North is highlighted as the easiest division to predict, with Cincinnati grappling due to limited resources.
• Ownership and Scouting: Baltimore Ravens are positioned to outperform Cincinnati Bengals thanks to superior ownership and scouting departments.

Notable Quotes:

• "Seeing Aaron Rodgers walk through the locker room asking questions on how we do things... he's bought in and that's all I can ask for." — Colin Cowherd [26:13]
• "Baltimore has a huge advantage over Cincinnati with their ownership and scouting resources." — Colin Cowherd [27:00]
• "Cincinnati has the smallest scouting department, the cheapest owner." — Colin Cowherd [28:09]

5. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward and the Under-Hyped Quarterback

Colin and guest analysts discuss the Tennessee Titans' quarterback, Cam Ward, focusing on his lack of hype despite being the number one draft pick.

Key Points:

• Lack of Hype: Cam Ward hasn't received the expected attention and recognition, leading to frustration among teammates.
• Team Development: Despite the lack of hype, both Colin and his guest believe the Titans will improve significantly this season.
• Ownership Influence: Tennessee's SEC roots contribute to the team's anonymity and lower pressure compared to other NFL teams.

Notable Quotes:

• "I think that's a chip on his shoulder. You can tell the way he goes about his bidding, his swagger... this is going to be one of the ones that we're excited to see." — Colin Cowherd [28:16]
• "The Titans are about as anonymous as NFL teams get. It's SEC territory." — Colin Cowherd [29:39]
• "Tennessee will look like different teams because we both like Vrabel and Callahan." — Colin Cowherd [28:50]

6. Warriors’ Roster Stagnation and Future Prospects

The discussion moves to the Golden State Warriors, focusing on their decision not to acquire new players in the offseason and the potential ramifications.

Key Points:

• Ageing Roster: With Steph Curry at 37 and other key players also in their mid-30s, concerns arise about the Warriors' competitive longevity.
• Strategic Moves: The absence of significant roster changes contrasts with other NBA teams adapting to the league's trend towards taller lineups.
• Future Outlook: Predictions suggest that the Warriors might undergo significant roster changes mid-season to stay competitive.

Notable Quotes:

• "Golden State is the oldest, smallest team in the labyrinth of the Western Conference." — Colin Cowherd [30:41]
• "Their core is really old, Steph at 37, and the rest aged as well." — Colin Cowherd [32:16]
• "By the All-Star break, Jason, we love the Warriors, but they might just blow it up halfway through the season." — Rob Parker [30:46]

7. Pittsburgh Steelers’ Organizational Dynamics

Further analysis of the Pittsburgh Steelers' organizational structure, focusing on the influence of head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan.

Key Points:

• Coach’s Influence: Mike Tomlin wields significant power in player acquisitions and team strategy, often prioritizing player relationships.
• Discipline and Accountability: Tomlin’s leniency towards players with off-field issues is critiqued, citing incidents with Antonio Brown and George Pickens.
• Ownership's Role: Omar Khan has evolved the Steelers' approach to contracts, introducing more guaranteed money, but Tomlin remains a dominant force within the organization.

Notable Quotes:

• "Mike Tomlin is one of the most powerful people in football. He has a tremendous say in the players they draft, acquire, and trade for." — Dana White [47:59]
• "The whole notion that Mike Tomlin makes the most out of depleted rosters... I can't get behind that." — Dana White [48:26]
• "There's always been this debate, did Mike Tomlin get the most out of Antonio Brown or did he enable him?" — Dana White [49:15]

8. Ownership and Coaching in the NFL

Colin concludes the episode by emphasizing the importance of ownership quality in the NFL, juxtaposing the spending habits of different franchise owners and their impact on team success.

Key Points:

• Ownership vs. Coaching: Great owners are scarce, and their willingness to spend can significantly influence a team's success more than the coach alone.
• Cincinnati Bengals' Struggles: Despite having a talented quarterback like Joe Burrow, the Bengals face challenges due to limited financial resources and scouting capabilities.
• Future Coaching Jobs: Colin forecasts that coaches like Zach Taylor will continue to secure head coaching positions due to their proven track records, despite organizational limitations.

Notable Quotes:

• "Don't chase money, chase executives. There's a finite number of great owners in the NFL." — Colin Cowherd [35:30]
• "Mike Taylor has to overcome a lot more than Mike McDaniel does." — Colin Cowherd [35:45]
• "When I took the job at Fox, a big part of it was the Murdoch family. They did movies, everything they touched worked." — Colin Cowherd [37:10]

Conclusion

In this episode, The Herd with Colin Cowherd navigates through a spectrum of sports topics, offering in-depth analysis and spirited debates. From the fine lines between coaching excellence and organizational support in the NFL to critiquing officiating standards in the WNBA, Colin and his guests provide listeners with a comprehensive look into the dynamics that shape the sports landscape. The episode underscores the intricate balance between individual talent, coaching strategies, and organizational support in achieving sustained success in professional sports.

Note: All timestamps are approximate and based on the provided transcript.