Go Long

Good afternoon! As always, thank you to everyone for hanging out on Substack Live.

Want to join a future chat? Download the app and flip notifications on.

The 2025 NFL Draft is behind us, so let’s discuss. We touch on a handful of topics here, including the New York Giants’ pursuit of ass-kickers, the New Orleans Saints finally wising up, the Arizona Cardinals’ sneaky-good draft and why those New England Patriots are trending up.

Miss our Q&A with Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane? It’s available here.

Go Long is hitting the road this week for more longform. Our journalism is only possible because of you.

Appreciate all who’ve joined our community of readers from around the world.

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

Roles have reversed. After a generation of the New England Patriots (and Tom Brady) tormenting the Buffalo Bills, the AFC East has been running through Western New York five straight years.

Not even those Jim Kelly-, Thurman Thomas-, Bruce Smith-, Andre Reed-powered Super Bowl teams earned five straight division crowns.

Yet, there’s renewed hope in Foxborough. Mike Vrabel knows exactly what he wants on this roster and has rapidly, dramatically created a new identity. Games against his Patriots promise to be rock fights.

With free agency and the draft complete, it’s a perfect time for a joint podcast with our good friend, the excellent Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston and The Next Pats Podcast.

We talk Bills… and my 1 on 1 with GM Brandon Beane that’ll be available to subscribers very soon. (We got into everything.)

We talk Patriots… will Drake Maye follow the Josh Allen trajectory?

I really enjoyed this conversation, right on through our psychological breakdown of Bill Belichick.

You can access video and audio of this episode of the Go Long Podcast above, as well as everywhere you pod, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

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

On one hand, the Buffalo Bills’ defense has been a mess at the worst possible moments.

On the other, Super Bowl teams tell us repeatedly that it pays to load up on weaponry.

I wrote about the Bills’ defense-heavy draft here, icymi.

Now, let’s bring on old friend Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News.

Today’s episode of the Go Long Pod is available here — video and audio above — as well as Apple, Spotify, everywhere you pod.

Thank you for listening and sharing.

(Good news: The same day we recorded this, a few of those potholes were filled on Boston State Road.)

ICYMI:

* 'He wants to be the greatest of all time:' One bold trade, Travis Hunter and why the Jacksonville Jaguars nailed this

* NFC North Rounds 4-7 Analysis: Lions, Vikings, Packers, Bears all draft with their Franchise QBs top of mind

* NFC North Rounds 2-3 Analysis: Which surprising pick will pay off?

* NFC North Round 1 Analysis: The Green Bay Packers (finally) draft a WR early

* A defining draft for the New York Giants

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

At No. 30 overall, the Buffalo Bills selected Kentucky cornerback Max Hairston.

His services are most certainly required.

This is a defense in need of a corner capable of sticking with receivers step for step in the playoffs. Nobody ran faster than Hairston at the NFL Combine, and scouts describe him as mentally tough — “a cocky little guy” who’s “electric as far as change of direction, movement, speed.” The 5-foot-11, 183-pounder had 89 tackles, six interceptions, three pick-sixes and 10 passes defensed in 20 games the last two seasons. He’s got limitations physically.

The Bills needed to step outside of their comfort zone with this pick and we’ll explore more in full later.

Here’s a quick chat on Substack Live with WGRZ’s Jon Scott into the wee hours at One Bills Drive.

To join future live videos, be sure to download the app and flip notifications on.

Thanks, all.

Go Long is your home for longform.

We are fueled by you.

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

Good morn! Happy NFL Draft Eve, everyone.

There’s a ton at stake for all teams, but nobody needs to nail the draft quite like the New York Giants.

To discuss, I recorded a Substack Live with noted comedian (and long-suffering Giants fan) Joe Praino. He runs his own Substack — “Miscellaneous” — and is the co-host of the “Dirty Sports” podcast. I first got to know Joe when he produced the Adam Carolla Show for about a year. Naturally, he’s got many thoughts when it comes to these Giants.

We both try to chart a logical quarterback journey forward for Joe Schoen, Brian Daboll and the Giants. Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston give the organization some breathing room but these Giants are obviously still on the quarterback search. It’s been a bear.

Also, what happened to Daniel Jones? I wrote about his exit late last season, and explore more this conversation.

We’ve been bullish on this regime at Go Long.

This is a crucial moment for both Schoen and Daboll.

Thanks to everyone who watched lived. Always a pleasure to have you on. To join future shows, be sure to download the Substack app:

We’ll have you covered all three days of the NFL Draft right here at Go Long.

Bob McGinn’s 41st annual draft series is also live. All links are below:

* Part 1, WR: Tetairoa McMillan, and then... what?

* Part 2, TE: Is Tyler Warren the next Great American NFL Tight End?

* Part 3, OT: Inside the hunt for the next stalwart left tackle

* Part 4, G/C: Who let the dawgs out?

* Part 5, QB: Do NFL scouts view Cam Ward & Shedeur Sanders as franchise quarterbacks?

* Part 6, RB: 'Rare human being and a rare player,' but when to draft Ashton Jeanty?

* Part 7, DL: Meet the Brawlers

* Part 8, Edge: Herd of QB Hunters arrive with warnings...

* Part 9, LB: Jihaad Campbell, Alabama's latest ass-kicker, leads class full of playmakers

* Part 10, CB: The generational talent of Colorado's Travis Hunter

* Part 11, S: Why Malaki Starks, 'A+ across the board,' can run your defense

* Part 12, ST: Is it worth drafting a kicker anymore?

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

A true 40-yard dash time. (There’s a method to his madness.)

Mock drafts. (They are poison.)

Anonymous sourcing, and why it matters. (We relive Chris Ballard’s sharp criticism of Bob’s Adonai Mitchell report.)

PFF and the cottage industry that is… film review.

This 2025 Quarterback Class.

And what was the most jarring thing he heard from NFL scouts?

Oh, boy. Our Bob McGinn has many, many thoughts. Let’s flesh them all out here on a special edition of the “Ty & Bob Pod.” Video and audio are both above. Thank you all for making Go Long at GoLongTD.com your home for unvarnished draft coverage.

All 12 parts to McGinn’s 41st annual series are linked below.

Learn how the NFL views this year’s prospects.

New here? We’d love to have you join our community today. Go Long is completely fueled by readers — no sponsors, no ads, no corporate masters.

* Part 1, WR: Tetairoa McMillan, and then... what?

* Part 2, TE: Is Tyler Warren the next Great American NFL Tight End?

* Part 3, OT: Inside the hunt for the next stalwart left tackle

* Part 4, G/C: Who let the dawgs out?

* Part 5, QB: Do NFL scouts view Cam Ward & Shedeur Sanders as franchise quarterbacks?

* Part 6, RB: 'Rare human being and a rare player,' but when to draft Ashton Jeanty?

* Part 7, DL: Meet the Brawlers

* Part 8, Edge: Herd of QB Hunters arrive with warnings...

* Part 9, LB: Jihaad Campbell, Alabama's latest ass-kicker, leads class full of playmakers

* Part 10, CB: The generational talent of Colorado's Travis Hunter

* Part 11, S: Why Malaki Starks, 'A+ across the board,' can run your defense

* Part 12, ST: Is it worth drafting a kicker anymore?

Miss my conversation with David Yost? Enjoyed this conversation on quarterbacks with one of the best teachers of the position. If preferred, here’s the transcript.

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

Way back in our early days of Go Long, we tried to learn everything we could about Jordan Love, the quarterback handpicked to take over for Aaron Rodgers. The plan was always genius, and now the Green Bay Packers are positioned to compete for a long time.

Thus, one name you’ve read often — including here, here and here — is David Yost.

The longtime college assistant was Love’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Utah State in 2017 and 2018. He also coached the likes of Brad Smith, Chase Daniel and Blaine Gabbert at Missouri and Justin Herbert at Oregon. Today, Yost is the offensive coordinator and QBs coach at New Mexico State.

Every time we catch up, we end up talking quarterbacks for an hour-plus.

So it only made sense to get Yost on the Go Long Pod.

Video and audio of this episode is available above, as well as on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

The written transcript is also here:

Topics discussed:

* How does a college coach navigate the wild west of NIL today? Yost has lived the changes firsthand. Players come and go. (We get his thoughts on the Tennessee situation, too.)

* When did Yost know Jordan Love could be special?

* Yost takes you inside his (multiple) pre-draft conversations with Matt LaFleur. The Packers head coach couldn’t sit down with Love during Covid, so he tried to get to know the quarterback best he could. Quickly, he realized Love used his brain as a quarterback.

* The “it” factor. Love’s leadership style.

* Justin Herbert is quiet as a mouse… but Oregon teammates knew immediately he was the guy.

* Why Yost prefers quarterbacks who push the envelope and take chances down the field. Of course, this is a balance the Packers (and others) are trying to strike with their quarterbacks.

* The key difference between fumbles and interceptions.

* If you don’t have a QB1, Yost is blunt: You better draft one.

* Yost didn’t think Shedeur Sanders would amount to much out of high school. Now? Yost is a believer. He explains why in full.

Thank you, everyone.

We’d love it if you shared Go Long with a friend.

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

Mike Tomlin is still waiting on a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers to make up his mind. This isn’t how the Pittsburgh Steelers drew it up, and that’s part of the problem.

There hasn’t been much drawing up of plans at the quarterback position.

Now, T.J. Watt is unhappy? Oy vey. The Steelers’ best player took to Instagram on Wednesday to post a picture of himself flashing a peaceout sign. Such is protocol for disgruntled pros. He’s got one year left on his contract. He sees other edge rushers like Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby cashing in. And no doubt, Watt sees the Steelers backing up the Brink’s truck for a wide receiver who’s never played a down for the team in DK Metcalf.

Nobody attacks their profession quite like Watt. The seven-time Pro Bowler has every right to be pissed off at the moment. Watt was the DPOY in 2021 and finished No. 2 in the voting in two other seasons.

On this week’s Substack Live, we take a quick look at the state of affairs.

Is there any hope? The Steelers still must contend with Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow in their own division.

With or without Rodgers, they’ll need to draft a quarterback.

If Shedeur Sanders falls, he’d make a lot of sense in Pittsburgh.

Be sure to download the Substack app and turn notifications on to join future Live chats.

Also, here’s our feature from September 2022: “T.J. Watt is the best player in football:”

Our Friday Feature on Chicago Bears guard Jonah Jackson:

Miss Bob McGinn’s 41st annual draft series? All parts are below for paid subscribers.

* Part 1, WR: Tetairoa McMillan, and then... what?

* Part 2, TE: Is Tyler Warren the next Great American NFL Tight End?

* Part 3, OT: Inside the hunt for the next great left tackle

* Part 4, G/C: Who let the dawgs out?

* Part 5, QB: Do NFL scouts view Cam Ward & Shedeur Sanders as franchise quarterbacks?

* Part 6, RB: 'Rare human being and a rare player,' but when to draft Ashton Jeanty?

* Part 7, DL: Meet the Brawlers

* Part 8, Edge: Herd of QB Hunters arrive with warnings...

* Part 9, LB: Jihaad Campbell, Alabama's latest ass-kicker, leads class full of playmakers

* Part 10, CB: The generational talent of Colorado's Travis Hunter

* Part 11, S: Why Malaki Starks, 'A+ across the board,' can run your defense

* Part 12, ST, Is it worth drafting a kicker anymore?

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

Here we go again. It’s April and we’re excited about the Atlanta Falcons. This organization has teased us all for years.

But Michael Penix Jr. justifies optimism into 2025.

Everything that preceded this shocking draft pick hasn’t been ideal, but if Penix hits? Nothing else matters. (Although I suppose $100 mill is $100 mill.)

Let’s make sense of it all with our pal Justin Felder of Fox 5 Atlanta on the Go Long Pod. Against all conventional wisdom, at No. 8 overall the night of April 25, 2024, GM Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris selected the Washington bomber. Whether you’re a fan of the Falcons or simply fascinated by the inexact science of finding a quarterback, you’ll enjoy this conversation.

What’s next for Kirk Cousins? We offer thoughts.

Finally, we get into the Georgia Bulldogs. Once again, they’re sending blue-chippers to the pros. Felder covers the SEC power, too. One key defender makes a ton of sense for the Buffalo Bills in the first round.

Video and audio is available above, as well as Apple and Spotify.

Last week, icymi, I caught up with Matthew Coller of Purple Insider.

Here’s a column on Penix and these Falcons from the annual meetings.

All links to Bob McGinn’s 41st annual draft series below…

* Part 1, WR: Tetairoa McMillan, and then... what?

* Part 2, TE: Is Tyler Warren the next Great American NFL Tight End?

* Part 3, OT: Inside the hunt for the next great left tackle

* Part 4, G/C: Who let the dawgs out?

* Part 5, QB: Do NFL scouts view Cam Ward & Shedeur Sanders as franchise quarterbacks?

* Part 6, RB: 'Rare human being and a rare player,' but when to draft Ashton Jeanty?

* Part 7, DL: Meet the Brawlers

* Part 8, Edge: Herd of QB Hunters arrive with warnings...

* Part 9, LB: Jihaad Campbell, Alabama's latest ass-kicker, leads class full of playmakers

* Part 10, CB: The generational talent of Colorado's Travis Hunter

* Part 11, S: Why Malaki Starks, 'A+ across the board,' can run your defense

* Part 12, ST, Is it worth drafting a kicker anymore?

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

The J.J. McCarthy Era is here… it just took a gust of spring drama.

The Minnesota Vikings did indeed flirt with the notion of signing Aaron Rodgers. But, it’s McCarthy’s time to lead this team into the future.

To make sense of it all, we welcome Matthew Coller of Purple Insider back onto the Go Long Pod. Be sure to follow all of Coller’s work right here on Substack and listen to his wildly popular show.

On this episode, we get into everything…

* Exactly how serious was Kevin O’Connell considering Rodgers as his QB1?

* What are the pros and cons to adding the 41-year-old? It appears Minnesota is leaving the door open a crack in case something happens to McCarthy.

* What can everyone expect in the 22-year-old stater? There were promising signs last summer. This is a roster ready to win now.

* Why it’s time for the Vikings to take such a swing at the position.

We’re both back from West Palm — shingles, sun burns ‘n all — so let’s discuss.

Full video and audio are available above.

Thank you for supporting our independent work at Go Long.

Miss the Friday Feature this week? I examined Zac Taylor and the Cincinnati Bengals. This is the team best equipped to leap right back into Super Bowl contention. It all starts with the man who’s been a quarterback his entire life.

And of course, Bob McGinn’s 41st annual draft series rages on. Scouts across the NFL supply a true reflection for how the NFL views this year’s prospects. All links are below.

* Part 1, WR: Tetairoa McMillan, and then... what?

* Part 2, TE: Is Tyler Warren the next Great American NFL Tight End?

* Part 3, OT: Inside the hunt for the next great left tackle

* Part 4, G/C: Who let the dawgs out?

* Part 5, QB: Do NFL scouts view Cam Ward & Shedeur Sanders as franchise quarterbacks?

* Part 6, RB: 'Rare human being and a rare player,' but when to draft Ashton Jeanty?

* Part 7, DL: Meet the Brawlers

* Part 8, Edge: Herd of QB Hunters arrive with warnings...

* Part 9, LB: Jihaad Campbell, Alabama's latest ass-kicker, leads class full of playmakers

* Part 10, CB: The generational talent of Colorado's Travis Hunter

ICYMI, here are two features from our trip to Vikings Country this past season.

* ‘Through the storm:’ Blake Cashman is the Minnesota Vikings’ maniac in the middle

* SKOL! How old-school principles are fueling the 2024 Minnesota Vikings

And a 2022 piece on the shift from Mike Zimmer to Kevin O’Connell:

* It's a new day for the Minnesota Vikings

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