Scouting the League

Who drives the culture? The Head Coach? General Manager? Quarterback? Or someone else? Great teams almost always have a great culture and there is always a culture driver. We discuss some of the top cultures in the game of football with someone who has seen, first hand, great cultures in the NFL. Joey Clinkscales, a long time Jet and Raider talks Chiefs, Patriots, Ravens, Brady, Belichick, Lewis, who leads and why it matters. How do scouts evaluate for culture fit on the road and why does it matter who gets paid. Plus - some wild stories from Joey as he talked scouting nuggets he got on the road.

Joey Clinkscales

Neil Stratton - @InsidetheLeague

Rodrik David - @RightStepAdv

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Scouting for 1 of 32 NFL franchises has its advantages and intricacies; scouting the entire NCAA and thinking about fit for all 32 takes another level of dedication. NFL Draft Analyst for The Athletic Dane Brugler joins the podcast to discuss just how he does just that. From getting his start with what later became "The Beast" to finding himself saying no to his NFL Dream job (family first!). How does Dane keep up with all things draft prep while also staying up to date on scheme and philosophy for 32 NFL teams? The path Dane has taken is certainly his own, but there are some principles he stands for that certainly apply to everyone. A respected NFL draft analyst that will have the goods for football lovers no matter where you are on in scouting circles. @NFL @NFLDraft @TheAthletic @Chiefs

Dane Brugler - @DPBrugler

Neil Stratton - @InsidetheLeague - InsidetheLeague.com

Rodrik David - @RightStepAdv - RSAFootball.com

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The East-West Shrine Bowl has solidified itself as one of the two premier all star games for the NFL Draft hopefuls, all while adjusting on the fly and seeking to take the game to new heights. E/W Shrine Bowl Director of Football Operations and Player Personnel Eric Galko joins the podcast to talk about all aspects of the event and what we can expect in the future. From finding new locations in Las Vegas and Frisco, to the pressure free approach he takes with athletes and agents. The life changing experiences players have the with Shriners Hospital patients and how the game will continue to evolve. Never to early to start thinking about post-season all-star games, and this primer will help you be prepared. @ShrineBowl @Shriners @OptimumScouting @NFLPA @NFL @NFLDraft

Eric Galko - @EricGalko - ShrineBowl.com

Neil Stratton - @InsidetheLeague - InsidetheLeague.com

Rodrik David - @RightStepAdv - RSAFootball.com

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Having the opportunity to work, learn and grow under some of the most highly respected decision makers in the NFL is one thing, taking advantage of all the mentoring is another. Eric Stokes certainly did the latter and discusses it all on Scouting the League. From his days with the Nebraska Cornhuskers under legend Tom Osborne, to joining a Seattle Seahawks staff with Mike Holmgren and Ted Thompson, Eric talks about all the influences he had along the way. John Schneider, Marty Hurney, Dave Gettleman and Ted Thompson, just to name a few. What did he learn from each of them and apply it to his scouting life. We also discuss what a front office exec is doing as we approach the final week of the pre-season and all the considerations a team has when setting not just their 53, but their practice squad as well. All this and so much more.

Neil Stratton - @InsidetheLeague

Rodrik David - @RightStepAdv

@NebraskaCornhuskers @Commanders @Seahawks @Packers @Panthers @Buccaneers @Dolphins @Browns @NFLDraft

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Getting into the scouting industry has changed, just a bit, since Tom McConnaughey got his start. But the principles of the game and what it takes to evaluate remain the same. Neil and I talk with Tom about the road he took to get into the NFL and the many changes he saw along the way. From the multiple GM's he sat under to the different Head Coaches and systems he was a part of. Drafting not just one, but two, Hall of Famers in the 2001 NFL Draft and the work it took to get those picks right. If you are a scout, you WILL learn something from this episode, no matter where you are in your career. Take notes, get better, and enjoy the road. @Chargers @Jaguars @SeniorBowl

Tom McConnaughey

Neil Stratton - @InsidetheLeague

Rodrik David - @RightStepAdv

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Starting a new season of Scouting the League with one of the most well known, for good or for bad, agents in the business. David Canter of GSE Worldwide goes unfiltered with Neil and I to talk about the industry, his start and re-start, why he does what he does and the transition to a new agency. If you know David, you know this one will some fireworks, and regardless of what area of football you work in, you will enjoy it.  **Recorded on 7-4-2024

Neil Stratton - @InsidetheLeague

David Canter - @DavidCanter

Rodrik David - @RightStepAdv

@NFL @NFLDraft

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The Baltimore Ravens are at the forefront of scouting stability in the NFL and T.J. McCreight was lucky enough to get his start there.  But the Browns, Cardinals, Colts and Eagles did things well too.  We dive into all things scouting with T.J. and how his multiple stops and roles shaped his scouting and career.  What makes for a successful draft process? How should scouts approach school visits? What should new (and old) agents avoid? And so much more.  Now a Senior Bowl Scout, T.J. gives insight and advice that is candid, simple and should be part of everyone in football's arsenal.

T.J. McCreight

Neil Stratton - @InsidetheLeague

Rodrik David - @RightStepAdv

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Roc Nation Sports changed the sport representation space when Jay-Z entered the world.  After his playing days were done, philanthropy led to NFLPA certification and eventually a lead role with the Roc Nation for John Thornton.  Neil and I talk with John about how he got his start in the world of representation, how he operates differently than many agents out there and how Roc Nation has continued to be at the forefront of the industry.   Does he have a leg up on other agents who did not play in the NFL? What does he see coming next in the industry?  This and so much more in another can't miss episode. 

John Thornton - @JohnThornton

Neil Stratton - @InsidetheLeague

Rodrik David - @RightStepAdv

@NFLDraft

Agent Live 360

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Changes at General Manager often mean changes down the line, regardless of how well you do your job.  Dru Grigson experienced that in Arizona after a long and successful run with the franchise.  Their loss is your gain as Dru jumps on with us to talk all things front office, scouting and the Arizona Cardinals.  How did he get his start and what did he learn as he moved up the ladder?  How did the Cardinals evaluate their scouts and continue to develop their people? What was special about Kyler Murray and so much more.  For the Scouts out there (and everyone else too) - this is as good as it gets. 

Neil Stratton - @InsidetheLeague

Rodrik David - @RightStepAdv

Dru Grigson

Agent Live 360

@NFL @NFLDraft

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From the top of the Philadelphia Eagles front office staff to one of the top agents in the NFL - Mike McCartney is a football guy.  From his start in coaching to transitioning to scouting - Mike has been around the game.  His decision to balance his life and become an NFLPA Certified agent then became the next hurdle.  But with clients like Kirk Cousins and Aidan Hutchinson among the many others, Mike is doing just fine with Vayner Sports.  We discuss all things NFL from the transition, to the changing NCAA landscape.  The Cousins/Penix situation in Atlanta to managing scout/agent/source relationships in the business.  A tremendous conversation that is good no matter what bucket of the industry you fall in.  

Mike McCartney - @MikeMcCartney7

Neil Stratton - @InsidetheLeague

Rodrik David - @RightStepAdv

@NFLDraft

@ColoradoBuffaloes

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