As the calendar turns to the month of April, the rumors and smokescreens about the upcoming NFL Draft intensify. Is Sam Darnold still a lock to go #1? Will Minkah Fitzpatrick actually fall out of the top 10? What will the New York Giants do at #2? The answer to the 3rd question may be…
Finding the quarterback to lead your franchise isn’t an easy task for any NFL executive. For most teams, franchise quarterbacks are acquired by miserably finishing with the league’s worst record. Others are fortunate enough to fill the position by hitting on the rare 3rd or 4th round pick. Yet, for the unlucky teams that find…
The NFL trade market has been active in recent weeks. It was especially interesting yesterday when Philadelphia and Seattle agreed on a deal to send DE Michael Bennett and a 7th round pick to the Eagles for WR Marcus Johnson and a 5th rounder. The other major deal of the day was the Giants trading…
There are three core positions in football. Quarterback, meaning someone who can throw the ball downfield. Offensive tackle, meaning someone to protect that quarterback. And an edge pass rusher, meaning someone to disrupt the opponent’s quarterback. The next in line after this trio would be the field-tilting cornerback. For everything you have up front, under…
Part 1: The Day One Selections There comes a time in every person’s life when they have to push all their chips to the center of the table. When they have to just go all in, and lay everything bare for the world to see. Perhaps that comes when a person proposes marriage, and asks…
When people think of the run and shoot, they often recall prolific offenses of yesteryear, many of which can be linked to shoot proselytizer Darrel “Mouse” Davis and the late Jack Pardee. The former gained notoriety as the head coach of Portland State and was eventually commissioned by the latter to bring the offense to…
A slam release is a technique for tight ends on play action pass plays. The TE moves with the run fake, often a zone run, and engages in a block to one side of the play before stopping, pivoting and releasing into their route in the opposite direction. Generally this is a short route to…
As the NFL season drags on, it often becomes a war of attrition. Quarterbacks who play favorites with their receiving targets might find those receivers injured by the time December rolls around. Julian Edelman of the New England Patriots, Odell Beckham, Jr. of the New York Giants, Greg Olsen of the Carolina Panthers all tallied…
If the NFL season ended today, the AFC and NFC playoff picture would look like this: Steelers 1. Eagles Patriots 2. Vikings Chiefs 3. Rams Titans 4. Saints Bills …
The Bills run power. Really well. Rick Dennison runs zone. A lot. From day one of the new regime under head coach Sean McDermott, the hire of Rick Dennison as offensive coordinator seemed odd to me (and other Bills fans). Dennison was practically born and raised in the Denver Broncos outside zone stretch running scheme,…
Regarding the study of offensive line play, Offensive Line Performance (OLP) founder and owner LeCharles Bentley delivered a message at the inaugural OLP OL Seminar in the summer of 2016 that resonated with me. “Appreciate the craftsmanship.” My primary focus when I study film every week is on the offensive line, a position that is…
We broke the huddle and walked to the line of scrimmage. It was third and goal, and we were trailing Hamilton College on the road. We needed points late in the third quarter, and opportunities were becoming scarce. My parents, who made the eight-hour drive to see this game, stood nervously near the end zone.…
I fear, too early: for my mind misgives Some consequence yet hanging in the stars Shall bitterly begin his fearful date With this night’s revels and expire the term Of a despised life closed in my breast By some vile forfeit of untimely death. But He, that hath the steerage of my course, Direct my…
I write about the entire NFL for Inside the Pylon, but I’m a New England Patriots fan. My columns have spanned the schemes, players, and team-building strategies of all 32 franchises, but I spend more time watching and thinking about my hometown team than any other. I know the good Twitter follows, I know who’s…
The NFL season is upon us, and after another whirlwind offseason of coaching changes and player movements, I’m pleased to present the 2nd edition of my NFL Roster Valuation model. For those not familiar with the previous iteration, the goal of my roster assessment isn’t to fall in line with others that put together individual…
This is a multi-part series covering several areas of offensive line play in 2017; predictions on the five best OL units, top 3 OL at each position based on tape study, surprise OL unit, top backup OL, and a Q&A session with Chiefs RT Mitchell Schwartz – covering different aspects of his career and OL…