Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3

Title: THE HERD - Hour 3 - Caleb Williams needs to improve, the Browns QB situation, tomorrow's headlines today, Eric Mangini
Host: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Release Date: August 14, 2025
Description: The Herd with Colin Cowherd delves into the top sports stories, offering insightful and opinionated discussions on current events in the sports world.

1. Introduction

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, host Colin Cowherd engages in a multifaceted discussion covering the performance and future of Caleb Williams, the quarterback dynamics within the Cleveland Browns, and a comprehensive rundown of upcoming playoff predictions in the AFC. Renowned NFL analyst Eric Mangini joins the conversation, providing his expert insights into the evolving landscape of professional football.

2. Dolphins and Miami's Practice Culture

Colin Cowherd welcomes Eric Mangini to discuss the recent controversial reports surrounding the Miami Dolphins’ training sessions. The Dolphins have been criticized for conducting what some have termed "the most lopsided practice in league history," sparking concerns about the team's cultural direction under head coach Mike McDaniel.

Key Points:

• Criticism of Practice Methods: Reports indicate that the Dolphins' practices lack the physicality traditionally associated with successful teams, contrasting sharply with the Detroit Lions' more intense sessions.
• Impact on Team Culture: Mangini expresses concern over the Dolphins potentially developing a reputation for softness, which could undermine the team's competitiveness and the owner's perception.

Notable Quote:

[04:44] Devin (Eric Mangini): "If you're the owner of the Dolphins, you're going, is this really what I want my organization to be known for? So not, not a great day for Mike McDaniel, if that's what's coming out of there."

Mangini emphasizes that the Dolphins' current practice approach may not align with the ownership’s expectations, potentially affecting the team's performance and reputation.

3. Cleveland Browns Quarterback Situation

The episode delves into the quarterback conundrum facing the Cleveland Browns, focusing on Russell Wilson's influence and the emergence of Jackson Dart as a potential successor.

Key Points:

• Russell Wilson's Leadership: Despite his experience, Wilson has struggled to galvanize his teammates effectively, a trend observed across his tenures with various teams.
• Jackson Dart's Potential: Dart showcases promise with his performance in training camps and preseason games, exhibiting confidence and the ability to connect with his teammates without appearing cocky.
• Coaching Strategy: Coach Ben Johnson prioritizes system familiarity and confidence-building for Dart, opting to start Russell Wilson to stabilize the young offense.

Notable Quotes:

[08:09] Noah: "Russell Wilson has not galvanized teammates. That's not an opinion. That's true."

[09:03] Devin: "So giving him another week to learn and to grow, to me, that makes a lot of sense."

Mangini advocates for allowing Dart more time to develop within the system, suggesting that this approach will yield long-term benefits for the Browns' offensive coherence.

4. Tomorrow's Headlines Today: AFC Playoff Predictions

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing and predicting the AFC playoff contenders. Colin Cowherd and his co-host Noah delve into detailed forecasts for each playoff seed, assessing team performances, key player impacts, and organizational strengths.

Key Predictions:

• 7th Seed – Jacksonville Jaguars:
  Colin: "They get Travis Hunter, who's going to play a lot of offense and some defense... I think they're gonna sneak in the playoffs as a 7 seed."

• 6th Seed – Los Angeles Chargers:
  Noah: "I like Jim Harbaugh a lot and I know people want to say, Jay, what about the Chiefs? Come on, Chiefs have got to get in."

• 5th Seed – Cincinnati Bengals:
  Colin: "Joe Burrow gets it done. This is a team in the playoffs, remember that?"

• 4th Seed – Tennessee Titans:
  Noah: "Cam Ward can have a Jaden Daniels type rookie season. Give me the Titans winning the division."

• 3rd Seed – Denver Broncos:
  Colin: "Bo Nix your guy and Sean Payton... Give me the Broncos as the 3 seed in the AFC."

• 2nd Seed – Baltimore Ravens:
  Colin: "Lamar and Derrick Henry for sure... I like the Ravens 11 or 12 wins in the playoffs."

• 1st Seed – Buffalo Bills:
  Noah: "Josh Allen, best player in the league... I think the Bills are going to the Super Bowl."

Notable Quotes:

[31:10] Colin: "Travis Hunter and Jacksonville and Trevor Lawrence, obviously in the playoffs."

[35:12] Colin: "Joe Burrow could have won the MVP. They were in every game and then the defense lets them down in the final two minutes..."

[37:11] Colin: "The headline for the number one seed in the AFC will be Buffalo loaded for bear. Locked cocked and safeties look stuff."

Colin and Noah provide a balanced analysis, highlighting both offensive prowess and defensive capabilities as critical factors influencing their predictions.

5. Kansas City Chiefs Analysis

The discussion turns to the Kansas City Chiefs, with Colin expressing skepticism about their chances to maintain playoff consistency. Concerns are raised about their offensive firepower and the impact of recent player movements.

Key Points:

• Offensive Inconsistencies: Despite having a top-tier quarterback in Travis Kelce and head coach Andy Reid, the Chiefs face challenges in maintaining offensive dominance without significant reinforcements.
• Defensive Weaknesses: The Chiefs' defense lacks elite stars, making them vulnerable in closely contested games.

Notable Quote:

[38:52] Noah: "They’re going to be in close games. I don't think they have the offensive firepower. They're just too inconsistent at wide receiver."

The hosts collectively agree that while the Chiefs remain a formidable team, underlying issues may impede their ability to secure a top playoff spot consistently.

6. Additional Segments

The episode briefly touches upon international sports, specifically U.S. soccer star Christian Pulisic's recent decisions and public commentary. Although not a primary focus, the discussion underscores the broader sports landscape and athlete dynamics.

Notable Quote:

[25:52] Noah: "Christian Pulisic is the most talented soccer player in the history of America."

7. Conclusion

Colin Cowherd wraps up the episode by reiterating the key discussions on quarterback performances, team cultures, and playoff predictions. The conversation underscores the ever-evolving nature of sports, emphasizing strategic decisions and player development as pivotal elements shaping the upcoming season.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• [04:44] Devin (Eric Mangini): "If you're the owner of the Dolphins, you're going... is this really what I want my organization to be known for?"

• [08:09] Noah: "Russell Wilson has not galvanized teammates. That's not an opinion. That's true."

• [31:10] Colin: "Travis Hunter and Jacksonville and Trevor Lawrence, obviously in the playoffs."

• [37:11] Colin: "The headline for the number one seed in the AFC will be Buffalo loaded for bear."

• [38:52] Noah: "They’re going to be in close games. I don't think they have the offensive firepower. They're just too inconsistent at wide receiver."

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers an in-depth examination of pivotal developments in the NFL, blending expert analysis with strategic foresight to provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the sport's current state and future trajectory.