NFL explained.

Welcome to NFL Total Access The Podcast! In this episode, I am joined by former professional football player and now NFL analyst, Mr. Brian Baldinger. We start the show looking at the remarkable career of Deandre Hopkins. Despite the passing of time, D Hop's age seems to have no effect on his performance. Brian Baldinger dissects how experience and maturity have actually made him a smarter player, debunking the notion of a decline due to aging.

Next up Baldy brings you the latest updates from the NFL offseason, as he reports on the OTAs of the New York Jets, New York Giants, and Miami Dolphins. Discover how Aaron Rodgers is mentoring young receivers and the exciting transformations. Although the Giants of recent have been weak in the wide receiver group, Brian Baldinger now believes it may be their strongest position group.

Now to soupy Miami Gardens, where Baldinger sheds light on Tua Tagovailoa's progress during drills against the air, spending over 20 minutes with the talented Tyreek Hill. Learn why Mike McDaniels, the coach, is emphasizing the fundamentals for Tua and why Baldinger believes focusing on the basics is crucial for a successful season.

Join us as TA Summer School returns, where Baldy breaks down the intricacies of situational football, exploring the nuances between mini camp and training camp. Additionally, Baldy delves into the various positions on the line, providing valuable insights and analysis that will deepen your understanding of the game.

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Today on NFL Total Access we bring to you an exclusive interview, we a special guest who needs no introduction: Logan Ryan, a free agent Strong Safety and a two-time Super Bowl champion. With his wealth of experience and insider knowledge, Logan Ryan shares his insights on the upcoming season and predicts which team has the best shot at taking home the coveted Lombardi Trophy this year. But that's not all! Prepare to be surprised as Ryan unveils his unexpected picks, teams he believes have what it takes to rise from the bottom and shock the league by going from worst to first.

However, not every team can experience a meteoric rise. Ryan also offers his analysis on why he sees the Vikings as the most likely team to go from first to burst, shedding light on the challenges they might face in the upcoming season.

Next up, why do New England Patriots coaches tend to struggle outside of the familiar confines of Foxborough. Ryan offers his unique perspective and provides valuable insights into the inner workings of the Patriots organization, revealing what truly constitutes the enigmatic "Patriot Way."

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EP #30: Peanut calls this episode’s guest “The Key to the City” and “The Godmother of NFL Players.” Her name is Tracy Perlman. She’s the NFL’s SVP of Player Operations, and she is the gatekeeper for all things regarding the well-being of players. Tracy has spent her entire 31-year career with the NFL. For the last six she has fostered a community amongst current and former players, and her department’s mantra of support and service to players is now the ethos of the entire organization. And it all started with an unexpected phone call from Commissioner Roger Goodell. We hear how the ensuing conversation changed Tracy’s career path. The guys shed light on why players rock with her. And, Tracy tells the origin story of the league’s “My Cause My Cleats” initiative and how it was sparked by an unlikely source: former All-Pro receiver Brandon Marshall.

Topic Timeline:

1:32 – Peanut and Roman give Tracy her flowers for being the “godmother” to NFL players

4:11 – Tracy talks about the call from Commissioner Roger Goodell that changed the path of her career

6:33 – Tracy talks about how she created a player-first culture within the NFL

8:47 – Peanut lays out why he calls Tracy the “key to the city”

10:44 – Tracy’s message to players

11:11 – Tracy talks about being mentored by Commissioner Goodell and Executive Vice President Troy Vincent

13:56 – Tracy talks about how former All-Pro WR Brandon Marshall was the catalyst for the NFL’s “My Cause, My Cleats” initiative

16:40 – Roman talks about the importance of the NFL Legends community

17:48 – Tracy talks about players voices are shaping how the league operates

20:10 – Tracy talks about what her NFL legacy will be

21:17 – Tracy tells a harrowing life-saving story that started with a phone call

24:22 – Tracy talks about John Randle’s impact in the Legends community

*NOTE: timecodes are approximate.

NFL Players Second Acts podcast is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeart Radio.  

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Welcome to today's episode of NFL Total Access The Podcast, today I am joined by NFL Network Reporter Bridget Condon. First up, we tackle DeAndre Hopkins' upcoming visit to a new team as a free agent. Is he making a mistake visiting this team? We explore the pros and cons of his potential destinations and speculate on where Hopkins should go to maximize his impact.

Next, we shift our focus to the Raiders and the pivotal role players who will shape their fortunes this season. Will it be Davante Adams or Josh Jacobs who has the bigger say in the team's success? Rumors about Dalvin Cook heading to Miami are gaining momentum. But would the Dolphins' struggling rushing offense even know what to do with him? We'll discuss whether Cook can bring a much-needed spark to their ground game. Sticking with the Dolphins, Tua Tagovailoa is receiving a massive vote of confidence, but who said it? We dig into the source of this endorsement and examine whether we should believe the hype surrounding the young quarterback.

Jared Goff is also generating buzz as the Lions gear up for the 2023 season. Is this a division title or bust scenario for Goff and the team? We weigh the expectations and challenges they face in their quest for success.

On a lighter note, we reveal the new Madden cover boy and share our thoughts on who should be featured next. Join us as we discuss the players deserving of the prestigious honor and the excitement surrounding this iconic video game franchise.

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Hank Azaria is the voice and face of some of your favorite roles in television and film history. He's also a tortured New York Jets fan. Peter goes deep with Hank on his love for the Jets, his feelings on Aaron Rodgers, and his career in show biz. 

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Join us in this heartfelt episode as we pay tribute to the late and great Norma Hunt, a true icon of football who recently passed away at the age of 85. Norma Hunt holds a remarkable record as the only woman to have attended every Super Bowl, including witnessing the Kansas City Chiefs' victorious moments in Super Bowls 4, 54, and 57. As we reflect on her extraordinary life, we delve into her influential role as the widow of AFL principal founder and Chiefs founder, Lamar Hunt.

In this episode, we have the privilege of hearing from some prominent voices within the Chiefs organization. Tune in to listen to heartfelt interviews from Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid, who were recently honored at the White House today. They share their personal experiences and anecdotes about their encounters with Norma Hunt and the indelible impact she had on the Chiefs community.

Additionally, we will be featuring clips from the documentary "A Lifetime of Sundays." This film provides an intimate look into the lives of remarkable women in football, including Norma Hunt, as well as Virginia McCaskey of the Chicago Bears, Martha Firestone Ford of the Detroit Lions, and Patricia Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

In this episode, we celebrate Norma Hunt's remarkable legacy, her tireless dedication to football, and her unwavering commitment to breaking barriers as a woman in a predominantly male-dominated industry. Join us as we honor Norma Hunt's remarkable legacy and remember the profound impact she had on the game we love.

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Today on NFL Total Access The Podcast I am joined by Rhett Lewis. First up, we examine the "Aaron Rodgers Effect" and explore the potential impact of the superstar quarterback joining the New York Jets, particularly how their defense may benefit most from his presence.

Next, we provide comprehensive OTA reports for both the New York Jets and the New York Giants. Get the inside scoop on how these teams are gearing up for the upcoming season during their offseason training activities.

Next up, we assess the potential impact players for the New York Giants' offense. Dive into the debate on whether Darren Waller or Saquon Barkley will have a greater influence on Daniel Jones and the team's offensive performance.

Panthers safety Xavier Woods offers a detailed scouting report on Bryce Young, the top pick in the NFL draft. Gain valuable insights into Young's potential and what he brings to his team.

We'll then shift our focus to the Chicago Bears' OTA report. Rhett analyzes the team's offseason training activities and evaluate the role of rookie quarterback Justin Fields. Explore whether Fields' running ability needs to be curtailed for the Bears' offense to flourish.

Later in the show Rhett and I will break down the Miami Dolphins' offense. Discover who claims it to be the second-best offense in the NFL, trailing only the Chiefs. Together, we determine the accuracy of this statement and whether the Dolphins' offense truly ranks among the league's elite.

Lastly, join us for TA Summer School, where we break down football terminology to enhance your understanding of the game. Test your knowledge and learn the meanings and significance of terms like "Spy," "Mike," and the "X" at Wide Receiver.

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Join us on this compelling episode as we delve into the extraordinary journey of former NFL player and author, RK Russell. In his memoir, "The Yards Between Us - A Story of Life, Love & Football," Russell shares his personal and heartfelt account of coming out as a bisexual man in a world that was not always ready to accept him.

As a former defensive lineman for the Cowboys, Bucs, and Bills, Russell provides a unique perspective on the challenges faced by bisexual athletes in the NFL. We explore the question of whether NFL locker rooms are unwilling to accept these athletes or if the issue lies in unfamiliarity. Russell's firsthand experiences shed light on the complexities of navigating a traditionally heteronormative environment and the impact it has on LGBTQ+ individuals.

We'll also examine whether attitudes towards LGBTQ+ representation in sports, particularly within the NFL. Are these attitudes destined to change, or is there a determined resistance to that change? Ryan's story encourages us to challenge what we think we know and what we actually know, urging us to confront and address the biases that may exist within ourselves and society.

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Watch Second Acts on YouTube:  https://bit.ly/3ikkR2Q

Follow Roman Harper on Instagram: @Harp_41

Follow Peanut Tillman on Instagram: @peanuttillman

Ep #29: It’s a first on the NFL Players: Second Acts pod - a duo! The brothers’ Holt: Rams legend Torry Holt and his brother Terrence, who was also a six-year NFL veteran, join Peanut and Roman on the pod. It’s fitting that they’re on together since they've remained attached at the hip for much of their lives. They played at the same college - North Carolina St. - though they missed being teammates by one season. They competed against each other in many hard-fought battles in the six years their NFL careers overlapped. Today, they’re partners in the many business ventures of their company Holt Brothers Inc. In this episode, they talk about being the rare brother combo to make it to the NFL, the (friendly) sibling rivalry that bonded them and fueled their fires to make it to the league. Torry made a name for himself as one of the key cogs in the “Greatest Show on Turf” Rams offense that won Super Bowl XXXIV, and he talks about the intangibles that made them great. When he retired it was younger brother Terrence who gave Torry the blueprint on how to navigate the transition, which eventually led them to becoming business partners. Today, the brothers run their company and their foundation - Holt Brothers Foundation - to honor their mom Ojetta, whom they lost to cancer. 

Topic timeline: 

2:52- what it was like growing up together

5:55 - Torry shares the Super Bowl connection to his “welcome to the NFL” moment

6:52 - Terrence recalls how he was welcomed to the NFL with a stiff arm 

9:25 - Torry talks about why he won’t fix his now famous mangled middle finger

12:05 - The brothers share their pride of bothy making it to the NFL 

16:53 - The Holt brothers and Roman share their real life attachment to the phrase “if you see it, you can be it” 

17:50 - Peanut and the Holt brothers revel in their stories of friendly competition amongst brothers 

22:56 - Torry talking about the experience of being on the Rams offense called “The Greatest Show on Turf” 

27:22 - Torry talks about whether he believes he’ll get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame 

30:36 - Terrence talks about preparing for his post-NFL life while still playing, battling depression, and finding purpose after football 

38:12 - Torry talks about the expectations of being a professional ballplayer 

39:02 - Torry shares how health led him to retire from the NFL

40:56 - Terrence shares how he tutored Torry about the business world 

43:16 - The Holt brothers share the path to learning the business world and creating their construction company 

46:54 - Terrence gives advice to players about the importance of using their pro athlete experience in the business world 

51:07 - The Holt brothers share their plans for the future of their company “Holt Brothers Inc.” 

56:33 - The Holt Brothers talk about the promise to their mom they’re fulfilling through their “Holt Brothers Foundation” 

1:04:39 - The Holt brothers share the influence of their mom

*NOTE: Timecodes are approximate 

The NFL Players: Second Acts podcast is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeart Radio. 

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Today on NFL Total Access The Podcast, we welcome back former NFL quarterback David Carr.

We kick off today's discussion with a focus on the Cincinnati Bengals' 2023 campaign. The question looms: Is this a Super Bowl or Bust season for the Bengals? As expectations rise for this young and talented team, we'll explore the challenges they face on their quest for football's ultimate prize.

Next up, our attention turns to the Buffalo Bills, a team on the cusp of greatness. The Bills have consistently been a force to be reckoned with but have yet to secure a Super Bowl victory. David Carr and I discuss whether this season represents a last chance for the Bills to prove their credentials or if they will forever be remembered as the best team never to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

Shifting gears to the NFC South, we evaluate stock trends. From rising contenders to potential disappointments, David Carr breaks down the latest developments in the division. The spotlight then falls on the New Orleans Saints as the team to beat in the NFC South. As the Saints reload and regroup, the analysis dives into the factors that make them the front-runners in the divisional race. Turning to Tampa Bay, the question arises: Does Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask hold the key to success for the Buccaneers? Simultaneously, the Falcons' decision not to draft a quarterback raises questions about the faith they've placed in Desmond Ridder.

We close the show with the preseason NFL All-Breakout team for 2023. Additionally, we will discuss the undervalued prowess of Denver Broncos' wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, highlighting why he may well be the best wide receiver in the NFL despite not receiving the recognition he deserves.

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