Former NFL general manager and executive of the year Randy Mueller joins me with his analysis of the Patriots' unprecedented investment in free agency, why it was necessary and why, in this case, it figures to net better returns than other spending sprees in recent memory.

He also describes the process between free agency and the draft, as a general manager continues to build his team and, specifically, looks to make a trade in the draft.  Plus, his thoughts on this year's class of quarterbacks in the draft, experience in the football minor leagues and role advising college staffs and teaching aspiring scouts.

Matt Dolloff of 985TheSportsHub.com joins me to discuss the Patriots' flurry of signings in the first few days of the NFL free agency period and the career of Patrick Chung.

Amid Women's History Month, Bob visits with Vanessa Hutchinson (@VJHutch87), Senior Manager, Football Development for the @NFL to discuss the history women have made in pro football since Super Bowl LV and how many in the league, including Bill Belichick, are working to ensure that the future holds even greater opportunities for women at every level of football.

This week on the podcast, Bob Socci sits down with The Athletic's Larry Holder, who reports out of New Orleans, to discuss former and current Saints, should they become available, who could interest the Patriots.

Larry also tells us what Drew Brees's hairline reveals about his future, why we should take the Russell Wilson-to-New Orleans possibility seriously and how the words of past draft prospects at the NFL Combine gave us insight into the kind of careers they would have.

This week, Bob Socci talks with Yahoo Sports columnist Shalise Manza Young, who was the first Black woman to cover a NFL team full-time, as the Patriots beat reporter for the Providence Journal.  They discuss her experience covering the Patriots, Cam Newton, the latest NFL head coaching hires and Yahoo's "First & Black" series, including Manza Young's profiles of a trailblazer in college athletics and another in hockey broadcasting. 

Bob's guest is Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald. With the Patriots entering free agency with more than $60 million in salary cap space and 10 draft picks, we discuss how their past spending could predict the way the team allocates resources in building the 2021 roster.

This week on the Gridiron and Beyond, Bob Socci sits down with Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports.

They discuss the messages Tom Brady sent to his new teammates in Tampa Bay. Why NFL owners continue to overlook qualified candidates of color when hiring head coaches. What does the NFL hold in store for one of the best college coaches of his time?

Plus, Dan's passionate fandom of one Boston sports team in particular.

Jim McBride from the Boston Globe joins me to discuss the Senior Bowl, including his observations from last week's practices, including thoughts on potential Patriots draft prospects.

Bob Socci sits down with Jeff Joniak, the Voice of the Chicago Bears who discusses what it was like calling the 2020 season during a pandemic. They also talk about the Bears annual quest to find a franchise quarterback.

Bob Socci is joined by Sports Illustrated senior writer Greg Bishop. They discuss his reporting on the dysfunction and dissension within the Houston Texans organization...and observations of Tom Brady, Josh Allen and Philip Rivers.