Inside The Pylon works to deliver quality football content to our readers. This Week in Football Writing collects some of our favorite pieces from friends and colleagues last week and shares them with you.
Quick Thoughts on Catching the Football
Matt Waldman illuminates the process, importance, and evaluation of how a prospect catches the ball is more complex that “did he?”
Look Out! Tom Brady Wants to Play Catch
Kevin Clark speaks to Donte Stallworth, Danny Amendola, Brandon LaFell, and future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez, who all agree: Tom Brady is crazy.
One Offseason Move for Every Team: AFC Edition
Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap suggests an offseason move for each team in the AFC ‒ there is an NFC version as well ‒ with an eye towards their salary cap situation / issues.
The Haters Are Losing The War On Kickers
Benjamin Morris discusses the reasons kickers are hated, and why that’s a losing proposition.
First-graders Offer Vikings Kicker Blair Walsh Words Of Encouragement
Vineeta Sawkar looks at the day-after lesson plan for coping with (sports) loss, as well as the development of empathy. “For Blair Walsh. Keep on trying. Puppys are cute.“
Seahawks Lineman Russell Okung Responds To Paul Graham’s Essay On Economic Inequality And Startups
Russell Okung takes issue with this essay by Paul Graham. Either or both are welcome to invest in Inside The Pylon.
The Great Mistake: Blair Walsh’s Miss Another Reminder That Kickers Are Not People
Joe Posnanski looks at the expectations fans have for kickers, and questions their humanity.
Renowned Psychologist Impressed With Seahawks’ ‘Culture Of Grit’
Sheil Kapadia speaks to psychologist Angela Duckworth, who researches predicting achievement and has a very specific definition of grit, which the Seahawks have embraced.
The Must Follow List: @ITPylon’s Favorite Twits
A #Bengals player tells me 55/24 behavior unchecked all year, he knew they would lose close game b/c guys blow it emotionally/situationally
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) January 10, 2016
"Spread offense to be outlawed for the second half!"
"Coach Saban, that wasn't spread."
"Well, I'd like throws over the middle outlawed."
— Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) January 12, 2016
https://twitter.com/RosenbergMerc/status/687726542202380288
I missed it. Did Bill Belichick do the Dikembe finger-wag after each of these questions, or…? pic.twitter.com/9jLy5jxxmO
— Erik Frenz (@ErikFrenz) January 14, 2016
Best response possible. pic.twitter.com/YHYMQdomCY
— Stephon Pujols-Johnson (@StephonPJohnson) January 12, 2016
Book Corner
Fantasy football players who want to invest in next year’s success will find Matt Waldman’s Rookie Scouting Portfolio invaluable before they draft next season. Pre-order discount ends on Friday, January 22. If you want an edge on your league next year…here it is.
Alex Kirby has announced the New England Patriots will be the focus his next book . In his last book on the Patriots, Kirby investigated “one of the last high-powered offenses to take the league by storm before the influence of the modern spread passing attacks came into vogue.”
Mark Schofield’s book on the 2015 college football season, 17 Drives, can be pre-ordered by emailing us.
Follow us on Twitter @ITPylon.
Inside The Pylon covers the NFL and college football, reviewing the film, breaking down matchups, and looking at the issues, on and off the field.
All video and images courtesy NFL Game Pass.
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