The Herd with Colin Cowherd: Hour 2 - Where Colin Was Right and Wrong
Release Date: June 16, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Description: A deep dive into the top sports stories of the day, evaluating Colin Cowherd's insights and predictions.
Introduction
In the second hour of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," hosts Matt Hasselbeck, Rachel Nichols, and Colin Cowherd engage in a spirited discussion analyzing where Colin was both accurate and misguided in his recent sports commentary. The conversation spans multiple sports, including the NFL, NBA, and MLB, touching on key players, team performances, and broader league dynamics.
Evaluating NFL Quarterbacks: The Shador Sanders Debate
One of the primary topics revolves around Shador Sanders, an emerging quarterback in the NFL. Matt Hasselbeck defends Sanders' impressive performance during training camps, emphasizing his high completion rates.
- Matt Hasselbeck [08:07]: "Shador Sanders is by far and away the most accurate quarterback, which is what he was in college."
Despite criticism that Sanders is merely throwing against backup defenses, Hasselbeck highlights that Sanders completes nearly 80% of his passes during camp, significantly higher than the league average.
- Matt Hasselbeck [08:43]: "If you're completing almost 80%, even in OTAs, that seems high to me."
Colin Cowherd concurs, praising Sanders' performance and suggesting he could secure a starting position despite stiff competition in a quarterback room teeming with talent.
- Colin Cowherd [50:16]: "Shador has been very impressive. It's a really complicated and intriguing quarterback room."
NBA Playoffs and Caitlin Clark's Impact
The discussion shifts to the NBA playoffs, where Caitlin Clark's return has significantly boosted viewership and fan engagement. Colin acknowledges Clark's influence on the league's popularity.
- Matt Hasselbeck [07:04]: "Caitlin Clark returned and the NBA was mesmerizing."
Colin highlights that Clark's presence alone accounted for a 55% drop in viewership when she was absent, underscoring her role in making the NBA an "incredibly easy product to consume."
- Colin Cowherd [08:03]: "She came back. You could not turn the TV off."
Kevin Durant Trade Speculations
Kevin Durant's potential move remains a hot topic. The hosts analyze market interests and possible destinations, expressing skepticism about Durant landing with teams like the Rockets or Clippers due to existing team dynamics and player rosters.
- Matt Hasselbeck [31:38]: "I don't see it going well for KD. The market isn't what Phoenix thought it would be."
They discuss the improbability of Durant pairing with specific teams without significant roster overhauls, leading to speculation that he might end up with a non-contender like Toronto.
Aaron Rodgers' Future and Legacy
Aaron Rodgers' impending retirement is another focal point. Matt Hasselbeck and Colin Cowherd debate whether Rodgers will secure his legacy or see it tarnished by his final seasons.
- Matt Hasselbeck [27:04]: "I think he'll have two or three years left."
Colin argues that Rodgers' tenure in Green Bay, marked by great offensive support, may not translate well in a new defensive-centric environment, potentially impacting his legacy negatively.
- Colin Cowherd [28:45]: "He didn't feel quite as committed as the obsessed Brady."
Shohei Ohtani's Dual Threat in MLB
Shohei Ohtani's unique role as both a pitcher and hitter in MLB garners significant attention. Matt and Colin discuss Ohtani's limited pitching appearances post-UCL surgery and his unparalleled performance as a two-way player.
- Matt Hasselbeck [33:44]: "He's the best baseball player in the history of the sport."
Colin marvels at Ohtani's ability to pitch and hit at elite levels simultaneously, likening his impact to legends like Babe Ruth.
- Colin Cowherd [34:31]: "He's an ace at an all-star game on the mound. This is just insane."
Additional Player and Team Analysis
The conversation also touches on other notable players and team strategies:
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John Morant's Franchise Potential: Matt expresses doubts about Morant being a franchise cornerstone due to perceived limitations in his skill set and consistency.
- Matt Hasselbeck [09:15]: "John Morant was wildly entertaining, but I never thought he was a build around him, franchise guy."
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Cleveland Browns' Quarterback Situation: The hosts debate the Browns' quarterback depth, praising Shador Sanders while questioning the effectiveness of current starters like Kenny Pickett.
- Matt Hasselbeck [52:21]: "Shador Sanders is the most interesting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns."
Conclusion: Assessing Colin's Insights
Throughout the episode, hosts critically evaluate Colin Cowherd's predictions, acknowledging his accurate assessments while pointing out areas where his viewpoints may fall short. The balanced discourse provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of current sports dynamics, emphasizing the complexities and multifaceted nature of athletic performance and team management.
Notable Quotes
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Matt Hasselbeck [08:07]: "Shador Sanders is by far and away the most accurate quarterback, which is what he was in college."
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Colin Cowherd [07:04]: "Caitlin Clark returned and the NBA was mesmerizing."
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Matt Hasselbeck [27:04]: "I think he'll have two or three years left."
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Colin Cowherd [34:31]: "He's an ace at an all-star game on the mound. This is just insane."
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Matt Hasselbeck [52:21]: "Shador Sanders is the most interesting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns."
This episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" offers a nuanced examination of various sports narratives, blending expert opinions with critical analysis to discern where Colin's perspectives align with or diverge from broader sporting realities.
