Go Long

Happy Valley… to Jacksonville… to Chicago… to several other stops at the tail-end, Allen Robinson experienced a little bit of everything as an NFL wide receiver.

Poor QB play.

Super Bowl expectations.

A torn ACL.

1,000-yard seasons.

Contract disputes.

Revis Island.

Stafford ‘n Goff.

There’s a lot to get into and the longtime NFL wide receiver is much obliged. We welcomed Robinson onto our latest Zoom Happy Hour at Go Long this week, and he didn’t disappoint. Thanks to all who joined, and be sure to keep an eye out for future hangouts. Is there an NFL player you’d like to share a virtual beer with? Let me know at [email protected].

Video and audio is available above. I’ll also post the transcript separately, too.

Paid subscribers can always join our Happy Hours.

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So much for the post-Ben Johnson haze. The Detroit Lions are just fine on offense.

Dan Campbell’s fourth-down swag was back in a 38-30 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Jared Goff knifed clutch completions. Aidan Hutchinson changed the game late. And most encouraging? This offensive line was back to bullying bodies up front.

I discuss in full with Bob McGinn…

He’s hardly sleeping and drinking coffee nonstop.

He’s working on Eastern Standard Time from the United Kingdom.

He lives 24/7 at the edge of offensive innovation in pro football.

What a fun time learning more about this 2025 NFL season with a man married to the game: Oliver Connolly at The Read Optional. Here on the Go Long Podcast, we dive into a wealth of topics:

* Tebowmania. What a time to be alive.

* Detroit’s offense went wild again on MNF. What’s working for new OC John Morton?

* The hunt for explosives in today’s NFL.

* How rookie tight end Jackson Hawes is opening Joe Brady’s playbook in Buffalo.

* Bryce Young is a QB Ollie knows well. Who is the Real Bryce? He has concerns with Dave Canales’ scheme.

* What’s wrong with the Atlanta Falcons? (A team we’re high on!)

* Six teams are 0-3. Which club still has playoff hope?

Video and audio is available above, as well as on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, everywhere you pod.

You can always join our live recordings by downloading the Substack app and turning notifications on.

ICYMI:

Go Long subscribers can hang out with longtime NFL wide receiver Allen Robinson on Thursday night. Our Zoom Happy Hours are back.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

Live from 2 Patriot Place, we touch on a variety of NFL topics and take your questions on Substack Live. Excellent submissions. This Sunday is a major litmus test for Mike Vrabel, Drake Maye and the New England Patriots.

The Buffalo Bills are 3-0, too. We discuss their win over Miami on Thursday night — and Go Long-approved bad ass Jackson Hawes.

Want to join future broadcasts? Download the Substack app and flip notifications on.

Thanks, all.

Paid subscribers can gain access to every feature, column and podcast.

Our three-parter “House of Dysfunction” is linked here:

* Part I: The Curious Case of Caleb Williams

* Part II: Inside the Chicago Bears' "rigged trial" at No. 1 overall

* Part III: Who's the boss?

ICYMI:

* No Joe Burrow? Expect the Cincinnati Bengals to keep fighting...

* Ty & Bob Pod S4 E2: Are the Green Bay Packers the best team in the NFL?

* GL Pod: On the scouting trail with John Middlekauff

* Ryan Poles, Brad Holmes and the makings of an NFC North massacre

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

Matt LaFleur couldn’t have scripted a faster start for his Green Bay Packers. Ben Johnson couldn’t have scripted a worse start in Chicago. Dan Campbell’s crew got back on track. Meanwhile, in Minnesota, Kevin O’Connell may be asking himself some hard quarterback questions over the next few weeks.

Of course, things always change fast in this league.

We di…

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

Perhaps it’s not time for teams to call 9-1-1, but there’s a stench in the air. A few houses are starting to burn.

Two weeks into this 2025 NFL Season, I thought we should catch up with the sharp John Middlekauff of the “3 and Out” podcast on The Volume network.

Middlekauff is a former scout with the Philadelphia Eagles and always brings a fresh perspective on his show.

Here on the Go Long Pod, we naturally dig into the art of scouting — is there a right way to do it? — and riff on a myriad of NFL topics: Cincinnati’s QB conundrum, why Anthony Richardson failed, the traits to look for in a young quarterback, The Honey Badger and what qualifies as a red flag, Ryan Poles’ Chicago Bears gone wrong and Patrick Mahomes. For the first time in his career, Mahomes has lost two games in a row. Many are saying it’s time to PANIC. We both had a much different take on his performance in the Chiefs’ 20-17 loss to Philadelphia.

You can watch or listen to this week’s episode above and everywhere you pod, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

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Thank you for your support.

Our entire three-part series on the Chicago Bears — “House of Dysfunction” — is linked here:

* Part I: The Curious Case of Caleb Williams

* Part II: Inside the Chicago Bears' "rigged trial" at No. 1 overall

* Part III: Who's the boss?

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

All respective NFL franchises placed their bets the spring of 2024. Some teams did more homework than others. And in Year 2 of a quarterback’s development, major progress is expected.

Each week, all season long, I’ll be joined by a new guest to dissect what we see on Sunday and look ahead.

First up: Mike Tanier of Too Deep Zone. Mike always brings an insightful ‘n entertaining flair to his analysis. We previously talked about the best QBs in NFL history on the Go Long Pod.

In the aftermath of our Bears series, it only makes sense that we get into everything Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. Where are these careers headed?

Thanks to all who’ve upgraded to a paid subscription and shared Go Long with a friend.

Our series, “House of Dysfunction,” is linked below:

* Part I: The Curious Case of Caleb Williams

* Part II: Inside the Chicago Bears' "rigged trial" at No. 1 overall

* Part III: Who's the boss?

Here’s this week’s “Ty & Bob Pod” dissecting everything NFC North:

S4 E1: The stage is set in the NFC North

Go Long was also on hand for one of the best regular-season contests in recent memory:

Stunner: Furious rally a testament to the Buffalo Bills' heart

Also: I joined Ethan Strauss to discuss our Bears series if you’d like to check it out.

He does exceptional work over at House of Strauss.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.golongtd.com

Good morning! We’re off and running with Season 4 of the “Ty & Bob Pod.” Once again, I’ll be joined by Hall of Famer Bob McGinn each week to break down the NFC North. There’s only one Bob.

Absolutely thrilled to bring his season-long analysis to Go Long once again.

Full two-hour episodes are always accessible to paid subscribers.

Goodness, we’ve got a to…

He’s the only quarterback from the 2024 class who didn’t see the field as a rookie.

Finally, the wait is over.

J.J. McCarthy is the starting quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings, and this is fairly unprecedented terrain. The Michigan product takes over a 14-win team with clear Super Bowl aspirations. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell spent big bucks on both lines this past offseason after seeing their team get pushed around by Detroit and the L.A. Rams to finish last season.

Sam Darnold regressed sharply in both games and the veteran who threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns was allowed to walk in free agency.

Not many teams would let a quarterback with those numbers exit the building.

So, how good is J.J. McCarthy?

We get plenty of insight from Matthew Coller of Purple Insider. Video and audio replays are accessible above. You can also check out this podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, everywhere you pod.

To join future Substack Live broadcasts, download the app:

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

And just like that, Brandon Beane has locked in his core: Khalil Shakir, Christian Benford, Greg Rousseau, Terrel Bernard and, now, James Cook all inked contract extensions this offseason.

Tip of the hat to Terry Pegula for spending this kind of money.

The Buffalo Bills know the Super Bowl window is open and wanted to secure their own. Cook’s contract stalemate got testy at the end, but it was always smart for these two sides to meet in the middle. It sends a strong message in the locker room, too.

To discuss it all, let’s welcome Jon Scott from WGRZ onto the Go Long Pod.

* We analyze Cook’s deal, Cook’s value and why he’s worth a four-year, $46 million contract even as a two-down player.

* Will Keon Coleman elevate his game in 2025? The Bills are counting on the wide receiver taking a giant step. He’s had an interesting summer.

* Brandon Beane is maximizing Josh Allen’s prime. It just looks different.

* Which player surprised Jon most at St. John Fisher? I didn’t see this player’s name coming.

* Our causes for concern this season. Cole Bishop’s health is near the top of that list. The Bills’ safety play must improve when a January date with Patrick Mahomes is inevitable.

You can watch or listen to our conversation above or anywhere you pod: Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

Also: Here’s our latest round of Mailbag questions for paid subscribers.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe