Overview of THE HERD - Hour 3 - Christian McCaffrey stops by The Herd
This hour of The Herd mixes Super Bowl buildup, roster/coach analysis, NFL quarterback development, and NBA trade reaction. While the episode title mentions Christian McCaffrey, the transcript content centers on interviews and commentary with veteran defenders and quarterback coach Jordan Palmer plus news briefs about NFL teams (Steelers, Seahawks, Patriots, Panthers/Drake Maye discussion) and NBA trade activity. Sponsors and show logistics are read throughout.
Main guests & segments
- Cam (Cam Heyward-like conversation): Discussion about long-tenured leadership, Mike Tomlin’s coaching style, and reflections on team culture, competitive lifespan of coaches, and what makes elite coaches and locker-room leaders.
- Jordan Palmer (founder of Quarterback Summit / Thread Performance): Deep-dive on quarterback development, Sam Darnold’s progression, and scouting/evaluation of young QBs like Drake Maye and Fernando Mendoza.
- Herdline News: Short takes on NFL coaching influences (John Harbaugh), Seahawks defensive identity, and NBA trade rumors/transactions (Harden/Garland speculation; Jaren Jackson Jr. trade to Utah).
Key takeaways
- Leadership matters: Being a repeated team captain (example cited: 11-time captain) signals consistency, accountability, and respect in the locker room—valuable traits for Hall of Fame candidacy.
- Mike Tomlin appraisal: Praised for honesty, availability to players, no shortcuts mentality, and ability to prioritize team-first decisions. There’s acknowledgement that coaches can benefit from periodic breaks but also deserve time to build long-term success.
- Seahawks vs. Patriots (and other Super Bowl preview notes):
- Seattle: Resilient defense, physical front (Lerner Williams, Byron Young referenced), disciplined assignments—can grind out opponents and limit “cheap” scores.
- Patriots: Improved defensive line (Milton Williams? Christian Barmore referenced) and overall stabilization; Drake Maye has elevated play and the offense is more balanced with running game and tight end/running back help.
- Steelers notes: Offense showing growth in run game (Kenneth Gainwell, Jalen Warren), DK Metcalf usage suggestions (more routes and space), and Aaron (commentary about Aaron’s locker-room fit) praised for preparation and team presence.
Jordan Palmer — QB development insights (most actionable part)
- Long-term system: Jordan uses a four-phase annual program for QB development:
- Phase 1: Post-season → spring (install and learn new mechanics/footwork).
- Phase 2: Spring/OTAs (see what “sticks” and refine).
- Phase 3: Summer (big growth window; structured off-season programming).
- Phase 4: Season (maintenance and occasional new ideas).
- Weekly content curation: Uses filming, game-practice breakdowns, and curated weekly folders for the QB to study and improve.
- Example drill to fix a specific miss pattern: To correct passes that were consistently thrown slightly behind to the right, Palmer had a QB practice peripheral awareness by holding a golf club between the arms (later tape on the shoulder pad) to build front-side alignment awareness—resulted in eliminating those misses.
- Scouting notes on young QBs:
- Sam Darnold: Characterized as resilient, used redshirting and early setbacks to develop readiness and poise.
- Drake Maye: Praised for rapid year-to-year jump, physical traits/reminded of modern mobile QB archetype, strong personality and humility, benefited from complementary weapons (receivers, tight ends, run game) and coach who schemes to strengths.
- Fernando Mendoza: Viewed as a potential franchise QB — noted clutch performance, mobility and comfort under pressure, and strong character that fits certain organizational cultures.
Notable short news items / NBA reaction
- Trade rumors: Reports of potential Harden/Garland trade between Clippers and Cavaliers discussed (Harden labeled a Hall of Famer, but questions about defensive impact and fit).
- Actual trade reported in the hour: Jaren Jackson Jr. moved from Memphis to Utah — conversation on how that changes the Jazz (front-court/defensive improvement, lineup fit with Lauri Markkanen, potential playoff implications in a loaded West).
- General NBA theme: Surprising trades happen; teams that buy aggressively (like Utah in this report) can suddenly alter Western Conference balance.
Notable quotes & lines
- “There are no shortcuts in our league” — on preparation and coaching expectations.
- Jordan Palmer on QB training: “Phase three is your best opportunity for growth.”
- On player identity: “A lot of these guys are chameleons and they try and fit into the situation… I never see that work. This guy is so pure, he is just so who he is.” — about Fernando Mendoza’s authenticity.
Practical takeaways for players/coaches
- For QBs: Build an annual phased plan—install mechanics, test in OTAs, expand in summer, maintain in season.
- For skill correction: Isolate recurring miss patterns, design simple, repeatable drills that address the mechanical or alignment root cause (example: peripheral vision/front-side alignment drill).
- For talent evaluators: Look for consistent traits early—resilience, comfort in pressure, and authentic identity (often visible at ages 13–14 in standout prospects).
Where to listen / extra notes
- The Herd airs live weekdays at noon Eastern / 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and streaming via iHeartRadio.
- Multiple sponsor spots were included during the hour (Verizon, MGM Rewards, Quest Diagnostics, M-Drive, Mind the Business podcast), with advertised promo codes and offers mentioned in the episode.
If you want the most actionable piece from this hour: Jordan Palmer’s structured QB development approach and the specific drill to cure a recurring miss are easy-to-apply takeaways for quarterbacks and coaches.