Cowherd is one of the better ESPN radio guys. He's also been one of the biggest Brady/Pats lovers on a consistent basis. The fact is that on the surface none of what he says isn't true. The Colts SHOULD be a better team next season. Luck should be a better QB. But the Pats SHOULD be a better team next season as well....and so should a lot of other teams. Shmess, a bit of an over reaction I think on Cowherd.
Your criticism of ESPN on the other hand, is well justified. Somewhere in the 80's ESPN did some market research and found that the casual national sports fan identified more with individuals than with teams. Since that time, it has ceased to be about the Lakers and the Celtic, and all about Magic and Larry. And so the cult of the INDIVIDUAL was born. Over the last 30 years ESPN and their copycat competitors have done their best to frame TEAM competitions in terms of individuals.
So when great players come into the league like Luck the mediots like ESPN latch on to their talent and build or tear down (the story lines are just as easy either way) the individuals at the expense of the value of the team. That's why sometimes when they ask these guys now what TEAM did they follow growing up, many say, they didn't follow any team in particular, but was a big fan of THIS guy or that guy.
It used to be the most compelling story in sports was when the sum of the group was greater than the talent of the individuals. THAT's the beauty of all team sports, but ESPECIALLY football. I used to love NBA basketball, but now rarely watch it. Its devolved to every team looking to find 2 or 3 "superstars" and that's it. Basketball is a great team game....or used to be. Now its all about individual talents and WAY too much money. Its not a coincidence that the team with the bast coach, most selfless players, and best team concept keeps beating all those "superstar" teams. Its also no coincidence that they are among the oldest teams.
You are right Shmess, ESPN IS part of the problem. But Cowherd's rant isn't an indication of why,