Inside The Pylon Quick Kicks Podcast

Mark and Chuck are back for the January 12, 2015 Quick Kicks Podcast, this time looking at the craziness of the NFC Wild Card Weekend matchups. This 15-minute look at the big stories of this round of the playoffs covers the following topics: -The errors by each member of the Minnesota Vikings battery, detailing the issues with the snap, hold, and kick (1:33) -An in-depth look at the mechanics of long-snapping and how the snapper factors in to building a proper hold (4:20) -Why the kick Blair Walsh faced differs from the average fan being able to make a 27-yard kick, including a discussion of Chuck's first-ever field goal attempt (7:11) -Mark's experience as a holder and how he handled the interaction as the focal point between the long snapper and kicker (9:29) -What the tape of the Green Bay Packers' offense showed and how it may have differed from what the box score looked like (15:12) -Where does Kirk Cousins fit into Washington's plans heading into 2016 (16:56) -The key improvement that Cousins must make in the offseason as he seeks to build on this season (19:49)

In the first installment of our daily 15-minute podcast, ITP The Podcast: Quick Kicks features hosts Chuck Zodda and Mark Schofield breaking down the action from the two AFC Wild Card games. In this fast-paced show designed to quickly get you up to speed on the big stories of the day, Chuck and Mark discuss: -The opening kickoff return by Knile Davis and its impact on the flow of the game from the outset (1:24) -Whether the shutout of the Houston Texans was due to the Kansas City Chiefs' defense, Texans' offense, or a combination of both(4:38) -Kansas City's offense and the continued growth of tight end Travis Kelce as a versatile weapon in the passing game (6:42) -The physicality of the battle between the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers and its impact on the eventual outcome of the game (9:40) -The final drive of the Bengals/Steelers game and how penalties helped Pittsburgh overcome a potentially devastating injury to Ben Roethlisberger (11:17) -Whether the Steelers can compete in Denver with a depleted offense due to the uncertain status of Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown (13:51)

The final week of the NFL season is in the books and the playoff picture is set in both conferences. Hosts Chuck Zodda and Mark Schofield are back for their final podcast of the regular season as they look to get you ready for the NFL Playoffs and CFB Championship. Chuck and Mark are joined by Danny Kelly of FieldGulls.com and Trevor Sikkema of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, who are on hand to give you insight into this week's biggest matches. Topics this show include: -The Week 17 NFC North battle between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers and whether or not the Vikings are a legitimate contender this year, and how the Packers offense can get back on track in the playoffs(1:07 -Danny discussing the Seattle Seahawks and the keys to their second-half resurgence, as well as the outstanding play of Russell Wilson and how he has flown under the radar with a tremendous 2015 season (5:55) -The Harry Stamper All-Go Offensive Play of the Week, featuring A.J. McCarron's hookup on a seam route to Tyler Eifert and Mark's analysis of the growth of McCarron in his fill-in duty for Andy Dalton (14:45) -Trevor analyzing the CFB Championship matchup between the Clemson Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide, digging into the key battles that will shape the outcome of this game (19:27) -The ITP Glossary term "Split Zone" and its application in modern offenses, as well as why teams will utilize this strategy as opposed to traditional zone blocking on running plays (28:43) -The critical positional battles for the upcoming Wild Card Weekend, looking at the Vikings linebackers versus the Seattle play-action game, Kirk Cousins in his playoff debut, whether the Pittsburgh Steelers and their offense can counter the strong defense of the Cincinnati Bengals, and how the punt units of Green Bay and Seattle look to counter potentially strong return units (33:47)

Week 16 saw the last of the undefeated teams fall as the Carolina Panthers lost to the Atlanta Falcons. ITP The Podcast Volume 1.16 takes a look at this matchup, as well as several other top stories from this week in the NFL. Hosts Chuck Zodda and Mark Schofield are joined by Doug Farrar of Sports Illustrated and Dr. Andy Guyader of TheQ5.com to give listeners insight into where things are going as the playoffs draw closer. Topics this week include: -How the Atlanta Falcons were able to defeat the Carolina Panthers, and whether or not what the Falcons showed on Sunday is a blueprint for the rest of the league to attack Carolina in the playoffs (1:56) -The battle between the Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos for the remaining bye week in the AFC, focusing on the missed field goal from Broncos kicker Brandon McManus at the end of regulation and his ability to bounce back in overtime for the game-winner (6:08) -Doug discussing his recent time spent watching film with Seattle Seahawks defensive linemen Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril, as well as touching on what to expect from the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, and New England Patriots as they near the playoffs (9:57) -The Harry Stamper All-Go Offensive Play of the Week, featuring the hookup from Alex Smith to Travis Kelce, and how Kelce's route-running allowed this play to open up just as designed (20:25) -Andy discussing the accuracy of some of his pre-season predictions from his game maps, as well as several unexpected trends he has noticed this season. Andy also discusses his earlier involvement in the Army-Navy game and why it continues to be a special matchup every fall, regardless of the records of the two teams (25:20) -Discussion of the ITP Glossary term "Pivot Route" and how it is utilized in modern offenses, as well as a breakdown of the best ball placement for this specific route (36:25)

While it is a short holiday week for most people, there is nothing short about ITP The Podcast Volume 15. Chuck Zodda & Mark Schofield are back to examine the key storylines from Week 15 in the NFL, and this time are joined by a trio of guests to make sure they leave no stone unturned. Jeff Lloyd, Kyle Crabbs from NDTScouting.com, and Shane Alexander from A1GFootball.com stop by, lending their excellent analysis to this week's show. Topics this week include: -The Pittsburgh Steelers taking down the Denver Broncos, focusing on how the potent Pittsburgh attack was able to overcome a usually-strong Denver secondary, as well as how the rest of this season is likely to play out at quarterback for the Broncos (2:39) -Jeff discussing the emergency of the New York Jets in the AFC East, the game-long melee between Odell Beckham, Jr. and Josh Norman, as well as his top draft prospects at wide receiver and cornerback (8:34) -The Harry Stamper All-Go Offensive Play of the Week, featuring a 27-yard touchdown connection between Russell Wilson and Tyler Lockett, focusing on the development of Lockett as a receiver over the course of the 2015 season (23:13) -Kyle explaining where he currently is in his yearly scouting process, as well as detailing a number of prospects he is focusing on during bowl season, in particular, the upcoming College Football Playoff semi-finals (27:38) -The ITP Glossary term of the week, breaking down the "Fire Call" on field goals and extra points and how teams react when disaster strikes on a normally-routine play (36:39) -Shane breaking down the key matchups during the upcoming slate of bowl games and who he is focused on over the next several weeks of action (39:02)

Several weeks ago, Bleacher Report's lead draft analyst Matt Miller tweeted a list of his '10 Scouting Rules' he utilizes in building his profiles of draft prospects. Shortly after this, former NFL scout Dan Hatman began a series for Inside the Pylon detailing examples of each of these rules and why they are so important to the scouting process. Now, Matt and Dan join regular hosts Chuck Zodda and Mark Schofield for a bonus roundtable discussion on Matt's scouting rules and the process behind the rankings that fans want to see. Topics in this episode include: -How does Matt's own self-evaluation of his process and methods lead to improvement in his scouting in future years, including how long it took Matt to feel comfortable with his scouting reports (1:14) -Dan on any additional rules he would add to Matt's '10 Scouting Rules' and how he uses them in his evaluations (5:22) -The importance of talking to team scouts and personnel to bolster your own knowledge as a scout as you look to become a better scout (9:34) -The grading process and whether it simply focuses on a player in comparison to his draft year or how his value projects in the context of other drafts (13:07) -The importance of context when scouting a player, not only looking at statistics and production, but the reasons why those may be either inflated or less than what a player can do at the next level (14:39) -Which one of Matt's 10 rules he has the most difficulty in following, and why it can be difficult for many scouts to remain disciplined in their reports (17:14) -Issues with group-think in both the amateur scouting ranks as well as within professional organizations (18:48) -The importance of studying film or watching workouts, and why game tape tends to be a more accurate resource than the non-game environment of many workouts (25:53) -The prospects for Alabama running back Derrick Henry and why players who win numerous college awards do not always have the skills to succeed in the NFL (29:58)

With Week 14 in the books and some upheaval at the top of the AFC, ITP The Podcast Volume 1.14 is here to guide you through all of the top stories of the last week. Chuck Zodda and Mark Schofield are back in the latest installment of our podcast, this time featuring Alex Kirby of ProFootballStrategy.com to discuss his new book on The Greatest Show on Turf, as well as current trends in NFL offenses. This week's topics include: -The clinching of the AFC East by the New England Patriots and the unbelievable run they have had at the top of that division over the last 15 seasons (1:36) -The Oakland Raiders surprise victory over the Denver Broncos, and whether this signals the Raiders can be a force in the AFC West heading into 2016 (3:39) -The clash between the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings, including Dwight Freeney's last-minute strip-sack of Teddy Bridgewater and the value of situational pass-rushers in today's NFL (9:37) - The Harry Stamper All-Go Offensive Play of the Week, featuring Ryan Fitzpatrick's touchdown to Eric Decker, and how Decker has flown under the radar in New York this season (16:07) -The ITP Glossary term "Tunnel Screen", looking at the evolution of the play and its usage within modern offenses (22:06) -Alex discussing his new book, The Greatest Show on Turf: Breaking Down One of Pro Football's Most Exciting Passing Attacks, as well as how NFL offenses have evolved in the years since the dominant Rams offenses of the early 2000s (26:51) -A look at some of the key matchups in Week 15, including the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts battling for supremacy in the AFC South, and whether the Carolina Panthers can stay undefeated at the New York Giants (37:12)

The Carolina Panthers continued their undefeated run, while the New England Patriots ran into an unexpected loss in Week 13. ITP The Podcast Volume 1.13 takes you inside the key plays from the last week, with hosts Chuck Zodda and Mark Schofield breaking down the film on all of the top happenings. This week, Chuck and Mark are joined by Aaron Nagler of Sports Illustrated, FanDuel, and Cheesehead.tv, as well as Dayne Burns of On The Fifty Yard Line. Segments include: -The growth of Cam Newton and his ability to manage a game despite lacking depth in the weapons around him, including the growth Newton has made in protecting the ball and reading defenses in 2015 (1:16) -The somewhat-shocking loss to the Philadelphia Eagles by the Patriots, focusing on the key plays on special teams that led to New England picking up its second loss of the year (7:14) -Aaron discusses the struggles the Green Bay Packers have had on offense and how their defense has bailed them out in recent games, as well as key ideas that shaped his approach to film study (10:44) -The Harry Stamper All-Go Offensive Play of the Week, featuring Marcus Mariota's hookup with Dorial Green-Beckham for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars (23:11) -Dayne discussing the development of young quarterbacks Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston, as well as the resurgence of the Houston Texans on the back of their defense after a tough start to the season (29:25) -The ITP Glossary term "packaged play", including definition of the term, how it fits in the modern NFL, and whether its spread in college offenses has impacted the quality of players going into the NFL

This episode of Inside the Pylon: The Podcast features Mark Schofield joined by Jeff Risdon of RealGM.com and DraftBreakdown.com in a bonus podcast discussing the 2015 Detroit Lions as well as early thoughts on the 2016 NFL Draft. Topics from this episode include: -How the Lions have adjusted on defense to overcome the loss of Ndamukong Suh and whether or not those changes will pay dividends down the road (3:20) -The up-and-down season of Matthew Stafford and whether he still factors in to the long-term plans for Detroit as a new GM comes in (5:18) -The matchup between the Lions and Packers on Thursday Night Football and whether Aaron Rodgers' recent struggles are a sign of issues in his execution or with the Packers' scheme (9:16) -A look at some of the key players from conference championship games in the upcoming weekend, focusing on the SEC Championship, as well as under-the-radar players coming out of the MAC (12:56) -Alabama running back Derrick Henry and how he projects as a back in the NFL (17:39) -Breaking down Cody Kessler and Kevin Hogan as draft prospects coming out of the Pac-12 Championship Game (21:49) -Prospects that Jeff will be watching at the upcoming Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl games (24:22) -Who is at the top of Jeff's board heading into the 2016 NFL Draft (26:35)

It was arguably the most entertaining week of the 2015 season, with a number of close games and frantic finishes. Inside the Pylon: The Podcast takes a look at the critical battles of Week 12, as hosts Chuck Zodda and Mark Schofield are joined by Dan Hatman of The Scouting Academy, Brandon Thorn of The Football Educator, and Trevor Sikkema of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Topics from this week's show include: -The mind-blowing finish to the Monday Night Football battle between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns, looking at the Browns last drive as well as mistakes on the field goal that led to the winning Baltimore score (1:37) -Dan discusses the changes happening with the Miami Dolphins in their coaching staff and ramifications for the players, as well as the general manager search happening in Detroit and the process behind those searches (8:46) -Brandon delves into the schemes that were successful for the Denver Broncos in their win over the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football, focusing on how the running game found room in the second half and the strengths and weaknesses of Brock Osweiler (19:34) -Trevor breaks down the upcoming SEC Championship matchup between Alabama and Florida, including how the Gators could potentially pull off an upset and the stability of the Alabama kicking situation (30:01) -The Harry Stamper All-Go Offensive Play of the Week, featuring the hookup between Kirk Cousins and DeSean Jackson, as well as Mark's thoughts on the development of Cousins over the last two seasons (37:29)

Inside the Pylon: The Podcast is back with a quick trip around Week 11 in the NFL. This past weekend saw several critical matches for division leaders that will have playoff implications in January. Hosts Chuck Zodda and Mark Schofield are joined by Dave Archibald from Inside the Pylon and Dan Syed of SyedSchemes.com to examine all of the key storylines from this week in the NFL. This week's features include: -Breaking down the key NFC North battle between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings and what Green Bay win means for the state of this division in 2015 and beyond (2:22) -How the Arizona Cardinals were able to notch a win against the Cincinnati Bengals in a high-scoring affair that still showed Cincinnati's ability to bounce back after a tough game in Week 10 against the Houston Texans (7:19) -Dave discussing the latest in his series on draft capital and salary cap investment by NFL teams, this time focusing on the tight end position and recent trends across the league (10:33) -The Harry Stamper All-Go Offensive Play of the Week, featuring Carson Palmer's hookup with J.J. Nelson for a key score against the Bengals in Arizona's win (18:01) -Dan breaking down the matchup between New England and Buffalo, focusing on how the Patriots front seven was able to generate pressure through a variety of looks, as well as why the New England offensive line struggled at times against the Bills game plan (22:32) -The ITP Glossary term "Working Progressions" and how its usage can differ from team to team depending on the offense (29:12) -Chuck and Mark's Thanksgiving tips, including the best way to attack a meal, preferred dinner times, and helpful relatives to have around at the holidays (34:58) -Previewing important Week 12 matchup, including the Carolina Panthers at the Dallas Cowboys and the New England Patriots at the Denver Broncos (40:44)

Week 10 was one of the more unpredictable weeks of the 2015 season to this point, and Inside the Pylon: The Podcast is here to get you filled in on all of the top stories. Hosts Chuck Zodda and Mark Schofield are joined by a number of top experts, including Dr. Christopher Geary of Tufts Medical Center, Nath Pizzolatto of ZoneReads.com, and Emory Hunt of FootballGameplan.com. Topics include: -Chris on the two major Week 10 injuries from NFL action - the plantar fascia injury to Peyton Manning and the Jones fracture for Julian Edelman, including discussion of prospects for return and career impact (1:19) -How the Detroit Lions were able to shut down the Green Bay Packers and their high-powered offense, and whether this is a blueprint for teams to use against Green Bay, or if the Packers hurt themselves with costly mistakes (9:42) -Analysis of the key NFC West showdown between the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks and whether or not the balance of power has shifted in the division, as well as playoff implications for the Cardinals (15:03) -The Harry Stamper All-Go Offensive Play of the Week, featuring Danny Amendola's fourth quarter reception to set up Stephen Gostkowski's game-winning field goal (19:48) -Nath detailing the growth of the New Orleans Saints' rookie class and expecations for them the rest of the season, as well as whether or not the firing of Rob Ryan will help to smooth out issues on defense for the Saints (23:29) -The ITP Glossary term "punt gunner", including discussion of what makes a top-flight gunner, as well as their overall role on special teams (29:43) -Emory discussing what he focuses on in scouting players making the jump to the pro level, how to scout small-school prospects, and Trevone Boykin's future as a quarterback (36:27)

Week 9 saw the Denver Broncos fall from the ranks of the undefeated, losing to the Colts, in a game that was representative of the unpredictable nature of the weekend. Hosts Chuck Zodda and Mark Schofield take Inside the Pylon: The Podcast through the events of last weekend and get you up to speed on all of the major events. They are joined by Danny Kelly from FieldGulls.com, Andy Guyader from TheQ5.com, and William Carroll of FanSpeak.com and NutsAndBoltsSports.com. This week's topics include: - A look at the Indianapolis Colts and their upset win over the previously-undefeated Denver Broncos, focusing on how the Colts exploited several matchups to their advantage(2:38) -Danny Kelly breaking down the resurgence of the Seattle Seahawks after a tough start to the season, and looking ahead to a key matchup with the Arizona Cardinals (6:50) -The Harry Stamper All-Go Offensive Play of the Week, featuring the 39-yard TD hookup between Cam Newton and Corey Brown of the Carolina Panthers (16:28) -A look at the ITP Glossary term "Option Route" and what it means in the modern NFL offense (22:10) -Andy Guyader details how his visual game maps can help to break down the ebbs and flows of an NFL game and give fans and analysts a different perspective on how the end result is achieved (26:07) -William Carroll discussing how the scouting system and projecting college talent into the NFL fails fans, coaches, and management, and remains a wildly unpredictable part of football(38:13)

Week 8 in the NFL is in the history books, and Chuck Zodda and Mark Schofield are in studio to look at the highs, lows, and everything in between. They are joined this week by Mike Backherms and Dr. Christopher Geary to help break down last weekend's action and get you up to speed for Week 9. Topics this week include: -Breaking down the Denver/Green Bay tilt from Sunday night, looking at the ways Denver was able to neutralize the potent Packers attack, as well as whether this game indicates Peyton Manning is back to regular form (1:54) -A look at New England's offensive attack on the first drive against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football (8:48) -The Harry Stamper All-Go Offensive Play of the Week, featuring the touchdown pass between Brian Hoyer and Nate Washington (11:42) -Mike Backherms helps to explain the concept of Offensive Success Rate (OSR) and Defensive Success Rate (DSR) data and what its uses are in terms of explaining where a team is successful or struggles on both sides of the ball (17:09) -A look at the "Mesh Point" entry from the ITP Glossary, focusing on how the technique works with regards to option offenses (23:56) -The upcoming matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys in the disappointing NFC East, touching on the struggles of the Philadelphia offense and whether Dallas can weather the storm until Tony Romo and Dez Bryant return (28:21) -The battle for supremacy in the NFC, looking at the growth of Cam Newton on the Panthers and how the matchup with the Packers will help to shape the playoff picture in the conference this year (33:31) -A prank call to Dr. Christopher Geary (39:38) -Dr. Geary joins the show to discuss Week 8 injuries, as well as how the latest rehabilitation techniques have helped to improve recovery times for athletes facing common injuries (42:20)

The ITP crew sits down for their weekly look at last weekend's action as well as a preview of the upcoming slate of games. This week, Chuck Zodda and Mark Schofield are joined by Alex Kirby of AlexKirbyFootball.com and Dave Archibald of Inside the Pylon in a 40-minute trip around the NFL. This week, the group tackles the following topics: -Breaking down the Vikings/Lions matchup and what it means for the balance of power in the NFC North, focusing on Minnesota's chances to compete with Green Bay this season (2:03) -Miami's blowout win against Houston and whether the Dolphins have righted the ship, or whether inferior competition in recent weeks is distorting results (6:53) -The Harry Stamper All-Go Offensive Play of the Week, featuring the jacknsonville Jaguars touchdown from Blake Bortles to Allen Hurns(9:26) -Alex Kirby discussing the Colts woes on the field and in the front office and whether anything can be done to fix the myriad issues on the team (13:50) -Discussion of the term "scramble drill" from the ITP Glossary and its application on offense (22:26) -An examination of trends in offensive line investment from Dave Archibald, the latest in a series of articles breaking down the draft and spending habits of NFL teams (25:44) -The Week 8 key matchups, including a battle of top teams in Denver and Green Bay, as well as a divisional meeting between Cincinnati and Pittsburgh (35:03)