Ollie Connolly is joined by Mark Schofield (NFL Wire) to discuss all things Mac Jones and the Patriots offense: why the Pats are throwing out their 2021 system in favour of a new style; whether or not it fits Jones; what Jones does best and why the Pats aren’t leaning into it; the weapons (or lack thereof) around the quarterback; whether or not who’s calling the plays matters; and a whole bunch more!



You can read Ollie's column on why 2022 will be the Year of the Pistol here: https://readoptional.substack.com/p/whats-old-is-new-again



The Read Optional is an NFL newsletter, podcast & community produced by Gridiron editor and scout Oliver Connolly. If you’re interested in all things football – the X’s & O’s, evaluating players, the salary cap implications of signings and trades, the relationship between the NFL and the college game, and everything in between – then The Read Optional is for you. You can subscribe now by visiting https://readoptional.substack.com!

TRO: Mac Jones & The 'New' New England?

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In an excerpt from The Read Optional Podcast, Ollie Connolly is joined by Mark Bullock to breakdown Eric Bieniemy leaving the Chiefs to the OC in Washington. They discuss:






The latest goings on with Daniel Snyder and the ownership situation
Whether Snyder’s pettiness will cost the team
What went wrong for Scott Turner in 2022
Philosophy versus scheme
Whether it matters if someone is a play-caller or gameplan builder
Whether you’d rather have a high-end gameplan builder or a high-end play-caller
How NFL staffs build out and execute a plan collaboratively
Some of the key principles of the Chiefs offense with Bieniemy and Andy Reid — and what Bieniemy can transplant to Washington
How to separate out the design of the offense from the game-breaking players — and what will be transferable and not with the current Washington roster
Which iteration of the Chiefs’ offense under Bieniemy would be best suited for the Commanders roster
How Sam Howell could feature in a Bieniemy offense
What would be the ideal offense for Howell
What cosmetic work the Commanders would have to do this offseason to build out the right roster to maximize Howell
A whole bunch more!




The Read Optional is an NFL newsletter, podcast & community produced by Gridiron editor and scout Oliver Connolly. If you’re interested in all things football – the X’s & O’s, evaluating players, the salary cap implications of signings and trades, the relationship between the NFL and the college game, and everything in between – then The Read Optional is for you. You can subscribe now by visiting https://readoptional.substack.com to receive a weekly podcast and writing from Ollie and others contributors. 








Eric Bieniemy Comes To Washington

Will Gavin and Michael McQuaid are joined by an array of stars ahead of Super Bowl LVII on Sunday - Dan Hanzus, T.J. Ward, Michael Lombardi and Rodger Sherman appear on the show. Also, the guys give their Super Bowl picks!

TGS: Super Bowl PICKS!

As Super Bowl LViI nears closer, Will Gavin is joined by NFL Network's Cynthia Frelund and Tom Pelissero!

Bonus TGS: Cynthia Frelund and Tom Pelissero on Super Bowl LVII

Will Gavin is joined by agent Leigh Steinberg from Radio Row in Phoenix, Arizona ahead of Super Bowl LVII this weekend.

TGS Bonus: Superagent Leigh Steinberg on Radio Row

Will Gavin and Michael McQuaid are joined on radio row by NFL Network's Steve Wyche and Matt Hamilton from Up and Adams/KC Sports Network ahead of the Super Bowl this Sunday. Steve looks ahead to the QB carousel that we will see over the next few weeks and months, while Matt focuses on the Chiefs and what to expect in the Super Bowl this weekend.








TRO: Mac Jones & The 'New' New England?

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