The Bill Barnwell Show

In the next installment of the Breakout Month series, Matt Harmon joins the show to discuss the top wide receivers to watch this season. They discuss the tier-one wide receivers in the league, Garrett Wilson’s value as a wide receiver, and how offenses have evolved in the NFL. Then, they discuss which receivers are going to “tier jumpers” that will exceed expectations and what the ceiling is for George Pickens. Plus, they discuss rookies who went under the radar last season.

7:30 Tiers of wide receivers in the league

15:50 the subtlety of double teams

23:45 Tier jumpers exceeding expectations 

30:45 What are the limits for George Pickens?

30:39 Rookies that went under the radar

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On today’s episode of The Bill Barnwell Show, Jeremy Fowler joins the episode continuing the Breakout Month series, focusing on the defensive end of the ball. They break down the great expectations of Aiden Hutchinson, linebackers with the highest ceiling, and which safeties will make a huge jump this year. Plus, they conclude by picking which defensive player will be ranked in the top 10 in 2025.

3:50 Defensive tackles to watch

10:07 Edge rushers who will make a leap this upcoming season

15:50 Linebackers breaking through this year

21:35 Younger safeties making waves

27:03 Cornerbacks with superstar potential

32:45 Top Defensive Player in 2025 

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On today’s episode of The Bill Barnwell Show, Hayden Winks joins for the first episode of the Breakout Month series, analyzing which players will have a booming next season. Today, they focus on which running backs will reach new heights, including Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco. They also discuss the potential impact of Blake Corum at the Rams and the likelihood of Saquon Barkley having a monster season. Plus, will the Eagles use Saquon Barkley with the tush push? All that and more! 

2:43 Kansas City Chiefs’ Isiah Pacheco

7:25 Buffalo Bills’ James Cook 

11:50 Wild Card Tier: Dallas Cowboys Rico Dowdle

18:47 Los Angeles Rams’ Blake Corum

25:00 Steelers’ Jaylen Warren

26:21 Cardinals’ Trey Benson

31:00 Boom or Bust decision: Saquon Barkley

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On today’s episode of The Bill Barnwell Show, the final installment of the Fixing the NFL series comes to a close, with you, the listeners, giving us your thoughts on improving the NFL. Bill breaks down your suggestions, including some interesting takes regarding punts, and discusses suggestions that will only incentivize bad behavior. Plus, should teams be given all their timeouts for the season in bulk? Bill gives his take. Later, he discusses why opening up the replay review jar creates more problems. Finally, should the NFL Draft be abolished and replaced with an open auction for rookie contacts? Bill weighs the pros and cons.

1:52 lineman is required to carry the ball

3:28 field goals 35 yards an in only worth 1 point

5:11 runs less than 3 yards stop the clock

7:00 limit teams to 6 punts in a game

8:20 punting uses a timeout; each time gets three timeouts per half

9:21 teams get all their timeout to start the season and decide how they want to use them

11:47 incentivizing weird behavior

15:06 teams can kick an extra point if the person who scored the touchdown kicks it

19:02 field goal shootout in OT

26:47 opening up the replay jar

29:42 abolish the NFL Draft

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On today's episode of The Bill Barnwell Show, Doug Kyed of The Boston Herald joins the show for the next installment of the Fixing the NFL series, breaking down what changes need to occur off the field to improve the game. They brainstorm ideas like if The NFL Draft should come before free agency, implementing minor league teams to the NFL, and why the league should abolish the playoff seeding system. Later, they break down their "Boomer takes," including why teams should have nine wins to be considered playoff-eligible. Plus, Doug shares one of the most insane ideas on the podcast that would change life as we know it. 

4:54 NFL Draft before free agency 

11:39 Double the rookie pay scale

15:15 Cap benefit for keeping players drafted by teams

19:27 Abolish playoff seeding, and conference champions get to pick which wild card team they play

21:00 Boomer Take: Teams must have nine wins to be playoff-eligible 

25:07 No spring leagues; bring minor leagues consisting of practice players for the Fall

31:10 Boomer Take: teams only play on Sunday and Monday

34:22: Boomer Take: bring back positional jersey numbers

35:29 Kyedian Calendar: shifting every month backward

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On today’s episode of The Bill Barnwell Show, NFL writer and podcast host Charles McDonald joins the show to kick off the first installment of the Fixing the NFL series. They begin by discussing changes they believe could improve the game on the field, including innovative ways to benefit defenses across the league. They then explore the intriguing concept of a relegation system in the NFL, envisioning how it could change how teams approach the league. Plus, they discuss whether the NFL Draft should be abolished and what would replace it. Later, actions have consequences. They share why players should be handcuffed if they fumble the ball in the end zone. 

2:00 Eliminating spot fouls

7:44 Ways to help defenses

15:44 Relegation brought to the NFL

21:29 Should the Draft be abolished?

26:02 New horse collar ejection rules

29:21 Handcuffed if player fumbles in the end zone 

36:02 Bringing jersey numbering by position back 

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On today's episode of the Bill Barnwell Show, Geoff Schwartz joins the show to honor the memory of Larry Allen, his impact on the game, and why he is the greatest guard of all time. Then, they discuss the massive new contract of Justin Jefferson, how the wide receiver market has evolved, and if it's logical for a wide receiver to receive a contract of this magnitude. Later, they discuss how Justin Jefferson's contract will impact contract negotiations for receivers in the future. Plus, they share the most critical positions for building a roster. 

1:46 Larry Allen's memorable moments

14:35 Justin Jefferson Massive Contract Extension 

15:40 Is it logical to ask a WR to make this much money?

25:35 How Jefferson's contract will impact future WR contracts

37:08 Brock Purdy pay

40:27 Most important positions for building a roster

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On today’s episode of the Bill Barnwell Show, NFL writer Dan Pizzuta joins Bill to discuss the one thing everyone can agree with… who is the most underrated player in the NFL? They break down their list of players who deserve their flowers based on who has been overlooked for the Pro Bowl and is not paid in the top 10 players in their position. Tune in for their pick of the most underrated player in the NFL. 

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On today’s episode of The Bill Barnwell Show, Bill switches things up in the offseason. Author of Hoop Atlas: Mapping the Remarkable Transformation of the Modern NBA, Kirk Goldsberry, joins the show to answer the hot debate of whether anyone from the NFL can play in the NBA, the evolution of the league in the post-Michael Jordan era, and how true greatness is more about influence than banners. Then, they share why Steph Curry is the most influential player in the game and how he forever changed the NBA. Plus, they discuss the reckoning the NBA faces and share what changes need to be made for a more diverse offensive game. 

2:04 Which NFL player could play in the NBA

5:28 How the NBA has changed in the post-Michael Jordan era

9:53 How Allen Iverson’s influence and the complexities of his legacy

15:18 Manu Ginóbili bridging the gap in the more modern efficiency era 

25:48 Conversations with LeBron James

31:22 Steph Curry is the most influential player and has changed the sport forever 

33:33 Reckoning of the NBA

38:46 What changes need to be made for a more diverse offensive game?

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On today's episode of the Bill Barnwell Show, The Athletic's Robert Mays joins the show to break down holes teams need to fill following the 2024 NFL Draft, including the Bears need to fill a left tackle position and the Raiders' reasoning for not targeting a quarterback. Then, they discuss the Falcons' sacrifice by drafting Michael Penix Jr. and their need for help in the corner position. Plus, Bill dives into the worst type of trade. Later, is it surprising that the Lions did not draft a wide receiver, and will it haunt them? 

5:50 Bears need for the left tackle

11:08 Raiders need for a QB

14:27 Why did the Falcons draft Michael Penix Jr.? 

20:11 Eagles' need in the interior 

25:21 Who will be the tackles for the Patriots and Washington Commanders? 

29:00 Chiefs not investing in Cornerback position

31:16 Dolphins not addressing interior offensive line help

34:34 The worst trade in football 

35:35 Did the Bills do enough to address their need for WR?

40:42 The Colts' decision not to draft a QB

42:02 Is it surprising the Lions didn't draft a wide receiver?

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