The Herd with Colin Cowherd
--% time saved
PodcastThe Herd with Colin Cowherd
Publisher/creatoriHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Published
Shortcast updated
About this episode
Former NFL scout John Middlekauff starts off the podcast by talking about what it means to actually be considered a bust in the NFL and how being a bust is different than just being drafted too early. Next, John dives into what an elite coach Mike McDonald is and how lucky Seattle has him as their coach. Later, John discusses how the Patriots should handle Will Campbell's future, and the return of the "Dad Diaries." Finally, John answers your questions in this episode's mailbag segment. Follow John on Twitter , Instagram and YouTube for the latest. All lines provided by Hard Rock Bet Use promo code “3ANDOUT20” on https://nicokick.com/zone for 20% off at checkout! Check out Gametime - the fastest growing ticketing app in the US, and the official ticketing app of 3 & Out and GoLow - for tickets to all of your favorite NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA teams. Concert and comedy show tickets, too. Go to Gametime now to create an account, download the app and use code JOHN for $20 off your first purchase. #Volume See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen to the original episode
Loading episode data...
Episode summary
How we doing—little Super Bowl comedown over here, but we’re still rolling; I’ll hit Sam Darnold, Mike Macdonald, Will Campbell, some dad diaries, and your mailbag, then I’m taking a short family breather before the combine, jumping on The Herd for quick hits, and yes, this little old podcast is on Netflix, so subscribe and fire DMs to the Instagram.
Q: Is Sam Darnold a bust or just mislabeled?
A: There are flameouts who implode off the field and there are overdrafted pros who become quality backups; Darnold’s neither—he’s got a big arm, real mobility, and grown‑up wiring that was wasted by bad early situations until better coaches unlocked him.
Q: What really fueled Darnold’s turnaround?
A: He keeps pointing to parents who believed in him, and that kind of steady backing builds humility and drive; it’s a feel‑good story in a sport that can make you cynical, and I’m pulling for him the rest of the way.
Q: How did Mike Macdonald break into coaching, and what’s the lesson?
A: A finance major who didn’t play at Georgia, he just kept showing up, wore people out with persistence, and when John Harbaugh gave him an opening his career rocketed; chase what you’re obsessed with, because passion makes the extra grind sustainable and lucky breaks matter most when you’re ready.
Q: Can Will Campbell rebound at left tackle?
A: He lacks rare traits and got overpowered by length and speed, so the path is flawless fundamentals or a move inside, which is tricky because true left tackles are scarce and this draft leans to right tackles.
Dad Diaries: I missed a pediatric check when the doc FaceTimed to check a healing circumcision and my little guy answered with a direct‑hit diaper blast; all clear now, lesson learned—always use a shield.
Q: Why do coach’s kids often thrive instead of coasting on nepotism?
A: The ones who last start under brutal bosses, live the hours, earn rooms of players who don’t care about your last name, and bring real passion; frauds get exposed fast, while guys like the Shanahans and McVay proved it far from dad.
Q: Is Bo Nix the big what‑if of this postseason?
A: A healthy Denver would’ve been better and the Bills probably should’ve advanced, but I’m not ready to say Nix rolls into Levi’s and shreds that defense—Seattle likely still favored.
Q: Did Drake May’s playoffs change his trajectory?
A: He looked rattled and banged up against elite speed, but he’s young and untested in those stages; playoff football humbled Peyton early too, so patience is the right call.
Q: Should the Niners chase Kyle Pitts or a short‑term veteran edge?
A: Jauan Jennings may get priced out, Pitts will likely be expensive with bidding heat, and one‑year big‑ticket vets past the sweet spot are a trap I’d avoid.
Q: What to make of Tom Brady saying he had no dog in the fight?
A: He could’ve read the room with a nod to Kraft and Vrabel, but maybe the way it ended in New England still stings; fans who rode for him have a fair gripe.
Q: Raiders reset: trade Max Crosby, and who’s in?
A: Smoke says he wants out, a haul of two firsts is realistic, and teams like the Bills, Seahawks, Bears, Eagles, Rams, Cowboys, Patriots, and Ravens make sense, while divisional trades are a no.
Q: Why do “third‑round steals” still go in the third?
A: The draft is a market driven by measurables, comps, and character risk, so slower, shorter, or position‑tweener producers slide and become values if the makeup is right—think exceptions like a Keenan‑Allen type or a tone‑setting safety who ran slow but fits great coaching.
Q: Who’s your top‑five in a redo today?
A: Caleb, Drake, and Jaden’s rookie deals make them instant building blocks, and I’m still higher on Herbert’s ceiling than box‑score darlings despite playoff noise.
Q: Falcons and a talented risk gone sideways—what now?
A: You own the risk when red flags are real, outcomes can switch overnight, and the fallout is likely out of the team’s hands at this point.
Q: Is Seattle getting enough respect?
A: Who cares—rings talk; enjoy it.
Q: What makes Mike Macdonald’s defense special?
A: It’s Belichick‑style shape‑shifting with post‑snap disguise, blazing versatile DBs, and timely curveballs like corners blitzing off the edge, so offenses see one thing pre‑snap and get something else when the ball’s live.
Adios—see you tomorrow.
Ready to save time?
Download Shortcast and get started today