Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – NFL Incentives & Crocs at the Gym | Ep #74

Release Date: January 2, 2025

Introduction

In Episode #74 of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, hosted by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, Rich and Covino dive into two major topics: the intriguing incentives set for NFL players during Week 18 and the quirky trend of wearing Crocs to the gym. Skipping over the usual advertisements and introductory banter, the hosts deliver a content-rich discussion filled with insights, humor, and engaging debates.

1. NFL Incentives in Week 18

Timestamp: 00:47 – 09:21

Rich and Covino kick off the episode by addressing the significance of Week 18 in the NFL season. Contrary to popular belief that late-season games may lack importance, they highlight compelling incentives that make these matchups highly consequential.

• Geno Smith’s Triple Incentives

  Rich introduces Geno Smith as a key player with substantial incentives: “Three different $2 million incentives” [03:27]. Covino expresses surprise, while Rich breaks down the specifics:

  • 186 Passing Yards and a win: $2 million [03:34]
  • Achieving a 70% completion rate: Another $2 million [04:25]

  These incentives could potentially add up to $6 million to Geno Smith’s earnings, provided he meets all the criteria.

• Mike Evans’ Dual Bonus

  Mike Evans is on the radar with a $3 million bonus tied to achieving 70 receptions for over 1,000 yards [05:58]. Rich emphasizes the challenge, noting Evans needs just five more catches and 85 additional yards to hit his targets.

• Von Miller’s Defensive Target

  Von Miller, a defensive powerhouse, has a single but lucrative incentive: $1.5 million for one sack [06:45]. Covino and Rich discuss the practicality and likelihood of Miller achieving this, with Covino asserting it as a "great reason to watch."

• Cortland Sutton and Joe Mixon’s Goals

  • Cortland Sutton: $500,000 for 82 receiving yards [07:48]
  • Joe Mixon: $250,000 for 107 rushing yards [07:48]

  Both players have clear, attainable goals that add extra excitement to their Week 18 performances.

• Broader Implications

  The hosts debate the broader impact of these incentives on player performances and game outcomes. Covino suggests that such incentives may even make Week 18 more thrilling than the Super Bowl itself, highlighting the competitive spirit they foster.

Notable Quotes:

• Rich: “Geno Smith, no joke. Three different $2 million incentives.” [03:27]
• Covino: “This game itself is reason to care about week 18. Nothing weak about that.” [02:36]

2. Taste Test: Kelsey’s Cereal Mix

Timestamp: 09:21 – 16:17

Transitioning from the gridiron to the breakfast table, Rich and Covino engage in a playful taste test of Kelsey’s Cereal Mix, a blend created by the Kelsey brothers in partnership with General Mills.

• Cereal Components

  The mix combines three popular cereals:

  • Reese’s Puffs
  • Cinnamon Toast Crunch
  • Lucky Charms

• Taste Testing and Reviews

  • Covino: Shares a humorous backstory about his childhood cereal habits and rates the mix 3.75 stars, appreciating the blend despite initial hesitations about the peanut butter flavor [12:51].
  • Rich: Gives it 3.5 stars, mentioning the initial overpowering peanut butter taste but acknowledges the overall appeal [13:25].
  • Spot: Finds the combination a “great combo of flavors” and praises the harmonious blend of sweetness and spice [14:02].

• Community Engagement

  The hosts encourage listeners to purchase the cereal, humorously suggesting that once tasted, one might not stop at just one bowl: “Buy the box. Because you’re going to eat that whole box.” [16:17].

Notable Quotes:

• Covino: “I’m the Dexter of cereal. And it’s pretty good.” [12:51]
• Rich: “Cinnamon Toast Crunch is a clear top three cereal for everyone.” [11:03]

3. Crocs at the Gym: Fashion Faux Pas or Functional Footwear?

Timestamp: 16:17 – 25:34

In a spirited debate, Rich and Covino tackle the controversial topic of wearing Crocs to the gym, sparked by an incident involving a fitness enthusiast known as Two Tone Superstar.

• The Crocs Controversy

  Two Tone Superstar voiced his frustration on social media about not being allowed to wear Crocs at Planet Fitness, despite being in “sports mode” [18:44]. Rich and Covino dissect the issue:

  • Covino's Stance: Emphasizes safety and gym policies, arguing that Crocs lack the necessary support for workouts and could lead to injuries [22:00].
  • Rich's Counterpoint: Advocates for personal choice in footwear, dismissing Covino’s safety concerns as “aesthetics doesn’t matter” [23:09].

• Expert Opinion from Spot

  Spot, the podcast’s producer, chimes in with authoritative advice on proper gym footwear:

  • Flat Shoes for Stability: Recommends lifting shoes with good grip for serious workouts [24:04].
  • Functional Exercises: Highlights that Crocs may be acceptable for casual exercises but not for heavy lifting or intense cardio [24:57].

• Audience Engagement

  The hosts invite listeners to weigh in on the debate, asking whether Crocs have a place in gym attire and how gym policies should adapt to such trends.

Notable Quotes:

• Two Tone Superstar: “You can't wear Crocs on the gym floor in Planet Fitness.” [19:08]
• Covino: “There's nothing sporty about that. Ridiculous.” [22:14]
• Spot: “Flat shoes to have stability, to drive through the floor and, like, stabilize yourself for any sort of exercise you're doing.” [25:34]

Conclusion

Episode #74 of The Herd with Colin Cowherd successfully balances the excitement of late-season NFL incentives with a lighthearted yet heated debate on gym fashion. Rich and Covino engage listeners with their characteristic blend of sports insights and relatable humor, ensuring that both football aficionados and casual listeners find something to enjoy. Whether it’s the high stakes of Week 18 or the everyday dilemmas of gym attire, the hosts deliver content that is both informative and entertaining.

Closing Remarks:

• Covino: “Can you wear Crocs to the gym? I don’t think you can wear Crocs anywhere.” [21:29]
• Rich: “Until then. Ariba there. Chi baby.” [26:03]

Listeners are left with thought-provoking discussions and a friendly invitation to join the next episode, where Colin Cowherd takes the reins.

For more insights and discussions, tune into Fox Sports Radio’s YouTube page or catch the hosts on their live broadcast from 2 to 4 PM on the West Coast, Monday through Friday.