Inside The Pylon Quick Kicks Podcast

Bo Jackson is arguably one of the greatest pure athletes of all-time. The speed, power, and agility he displayed are legendary. The July 12 Quick Kicks Podcast examines one of Bo's earliest feats, focusing on the 1982 Iron Bowl, as Jackson led Auburn to a shocking victory over a heavily-favored Alabama squad. Mark Schofield and Chuck Zodda examine Jackson's performance, including the game-winning play, "Bo Over the Tp", as well as some of the other storylines present in this game, such as Bear Bryant's last Iron Bowl and the growth of the Auburn program. Topics this show include: -The storylines that drew Mark to this game, 34 years after it happened, and why he wanted to break down this meeting instead of other classic clashes (2:12) -Whether Jackson stood out on tape even without trying to focus on him, and if the talent was that readily apparent (4:36) -The difference in style compared to today's college game, and the difference in watching two wishbone-based offenses compared to the spread attacks utilized currently (8:15) -How coaches in the wishbone offense looked to get critical skill position players touches and in unique match-ups to take advantage of their skills (10:14) -The springboard this game and play provided both for Jackson and the Auburn program (14:48)

After a week off to celebrate U.S. Independence Day and recharge our batteries, we are back. Mark Schofield and Chuck Zodda return on the July 11 Quick Kicks Podcast, joined by senior editor Philip Kibbey to discuss the redesign of Inside the Pylon and some of the upcoming projects for the second half of the year. We are re-launching with an entirely new look that is designed to provide a tremendous amount of functionality to our readers and listeners, and this episode helps fill you in on some of the key changes. Topics this show include: -The development process for the new site and some of the key concepts behind the redesign (2:24) -Core ideas for readers to keep in mind as they browse the new site, and how the redesigned hub pages for the NFL and college football help make navigation easier (3:28) -The redesigned ITP Glossary and the increased accessibility for people new to the game of football (5:30) -The improved mobile experience, given that nearly 60% of ITP traffic comes from mobile sources (8:01) -New content to come over the next two months, focusing on the ability of our new design to display content in ways previously unavailable to us (11:58) -The content plan for the next two months leading up to the start of the 2016 season, and the formats we are looking to explore over that time to provide multiple entry points for new readers, listeners, and viewers (16:11)

Quick Kicks June 30, 2016 - Miguel Benzan on the New England Patriots Salary Cap Wizardry by Inside The Pylon

One of the keys to running a successful team at any level is having an effective strategy for evaluating a team's players and identifying areas of strength and weakness. The June 29 Quick Kicks Podcast examines Inside the Pylon's own Jeff Feyerer's method for roster evaluation, looking to combine productivity and age into an easy-to-understand metric to hone in on trends within a team. Chuck Zodda hosts this episode as we look to find a better way of evaluating both present and future talent on a team. Topics this show include: -The idea behind the method Jeff created and the problems it sought to solve with player and team evaluation (1:36) -The framework constructed for this model, and the major concepts it addresses, as well as some of the limitations of the model at the moment (3:15) -How Jeff's model takes into account both the quality of the player, as well as the age of a player and his experience as being qualities important to overall evaluation (5:34) -Beyond player rating, how the model looks to factor in roster stability compared to volatility as it looks to identify trends across the league in terms of what strategies are employed by successful teams (8:58) -Some of the positional trends throughout the NFL in terms of where teams typically utilize different styles of players (12:24) -The future for Jeff's model and improvements he is looking to build in over the next several seasons (14:52)

With only three weeks until the start of training camp, it is time to take another look at the fantasy football landscape, as many drafts occur during this period. Chuck Zodda hosts the June 28 Quick Kicks Podcast, as fellow ITP writer Doug Moore joins him to discuss some of the key ideas to focus on during this year's fantasy drafts. There are a number of question marks entering the 2016 season, and Doug helps to separate fact from fiction when it comes to fantasy football. Topics this show include: -The top rookies available in this year's class and who has the potential to be an immediate contributor on day one (1:57) -The gap between the top rookie running back and the rest of the pack, and whether this is a close race, or one with a significant amount of distance between these groups (5:19) -The top wide receiver in this year's rookie class for fantasy football (7:07) -Why the gap is smaller between the top rookie receiver and those following him, and where many of these players can be expected to go in drafts (8:38) -The lack of quality tight ends in this year's rookie class and whether any of them have the ability to be productive in fantasy this year (10:50) -Andrew Luck and his potential to provide value for owners after a disappointing 2015 season (13:16) -The potential for a bounce-back 2016 campaign for Torrey Smith due to some changes in personnel and system from last year (15:26) -Tight ends who may be able to outperform their 2015 numbers, and how their offenses will look to utilize them in the upcoming season (17:57)

Quick Kicks June 24, 2016 - Kicker Friday, Adjusting for Weather Conditions as A Kicker by Inside The Pylon

Inside the Pylon often receives a number of questions and comments from our Twitter followers, making it one of our favorite ways to communicate with our readers and listeners. Today, Mark Schofield and Chuck Zodda dedicate an entire show to answering the questions our our fans, as we dig into some of the issues on your mind. The June 23 Quick Kicks Podcast features answers to a number of pressing questions from our listeners prior to the 2016 season. Topics this show include: -Of the quarterbacks not drafted in the first round in the most recent draft, who will start the most games this season? (3:44) -Why do NFL teams carry a kicker and punter instead of one player who can perform both duties? Is it because of injury concerns or something else? (8:45) -Who are your early Super Bowl picks for the upcoming season? (12:41) -Which ITP writer or editor is most similar to "Rockhound" from Armageddon? (12:35)

We have Kyle Crabbs of NDT Scouting back in studio for a second day as the June 22 Quick Kicks Podcast looks at his upcoming project scouting nearly 100 draft-eligible seniors. Mark Schofield and Chuck Zodda hos this episode as Kyle explains his process for scouting, and discusses some of the top players on his list for the 2017 NFL Draft. NDT Scouting's Pre-Season Senior Outlook is available on August 22, and Kyle breaks down the massive amount of work that he and his staff are doing on the project. Topics this show include: -The concept behind the Pre-Season Senior Outlook and how it differs from the Draft Prospectus that Kyle and his staff have put together previously (1:09) -The type of information included in the publication and the level of detail people can expect on each player covered (3:15) -How the process for this type of scouting publication differs from those Kyle has employed on the Draft Prospectus, and how the information provided here is reflective of that (5:44) -The value of in-person scouting and how the ability to travel to various games provides insights that cannot be gleaned by simply watching tape (6:47) -The NDT Scouting internship program and the types of skills it looks to teach people who are interested in gaining a foothold in the scouting industry (8:36) -Key concepts that Kyle has learned throughout his evolution as a scout, and what he hopes to pass on to the next wave of hopefuls as they look to make their mark in the industry (11:04) -Where to get the Pre-Season Senior Outlook and its availability for purchase (12:05)

As we turn towards the 2016 season, it is always wise to take a look back to wrap up any lingering questions from the most recent draft before we dive into a new group of prospects. The June 21 Quick Kicks Podcast has hosts Chuck Zodda and Mark Schofield joined by Kyle Crabbs of NDT Scouting, as he discusses some of the trends and key ideas gleaned from this year's draft, and how they can be applied in future years. Topics this episode include: -The major themes from this year's draft, and which teams were able to capitalize on the 2016 offseason and put themselves in a strong position to be successful in the fall (2:47) -The Oakland Raiders and how their recent additions give them a chance to be a force in the AFC West over the next several years with a strong core of young, developing players (4:14) -The wide receivers drafted this year, and surprises both in terms of who went early, as well as later picks that may be able to outperform their draft position and provide strong value for their team (6:58) -Trevone Boykin's slide through the draft, and whether his landing spot in Seattle gives him a chance to develop and acclimate to the NFL game in a good situation (9:04) -Attempting to answer the question of whether running backs have become so devalued that they are now undervalued (10:27) -Whether teams are getting better at identifying talent and properly valuing talent in the draft, and which teams are consistently able to come out of the draft with the most available talent (13:06)

Quick Kicks June 17, 2016 - Kicker Friday with Brandon Kornblue on Kicker Development by Inside The Pylon

College football training camps open just a month from now, and it is time to start getting up to speed on some of the key players and storylines we will be watching this fall. The June 16 Quick Kicks Podcast features Mark Schofield and Chuck Zodda breaking down the University of Montana Grizzlies, specifically focusing on the offense employed by head coach Bob Stitt and run by quarterback Brady Gustafson. Gustafson rose to prominence last year during his battles with North Dakota State QB Carson Wentz, and he will be eager to show that he has what it takes to be drafted next spring. Topics this episode include: -Stitt and how he utilizes the single-back offense, along with the key areas of the field and weaknesses this offense tries to exploit (1:24) -The key passing concepts the Grizzlies run, focusing on the fly sweep and the variations Stitt features in order to show different wrinkles depending on what opposing defenses employ to stop it (3:17) -The toughest thing for a quarterback to pick up in Stitt's system and how Gustafson's strengths are able to be featured in this offense (8:14) -The future development of the Montana offense as Stitt continues to add pieces that are better suited to what he wants to run, rather than relying on players he inherited that may not have the specific skills and traits he desires (9:44) -Whether running this type of offense is going to affect the NFL's perception of what Gustafson is able to do at the next level (12:33) -Our Twitter Question of the Day, "Which second-round wide receiver has the potential to out-perform those selected in the first round?" (14:24)

The Minnesota Vikings saw a devastating end to their season on Blair Walsh's missed field goal in the playoffs. As eyes turn to training camp, the Vikings look to rebound and build off a successful year, as it represented their first playoff appearance since 2012. Chuck Zodda and Mark Schofield are joined by Arif Hasan of Cold Omaha on the June 15 Quick Kicks Podcast, as Arif helps explain the key issues facing Minnesota this offseason, and how the team has looked to move past the disappointment of a tough playoff loss. Topics this episode include: -Recapping the Vikings' playoff defeat and the experience Vikings fans shared as they looked to put it behind them and transition to a new year (0:58) -First-round pick LaQuan Treadwell, arguably the top wide receiver in this year's draft, and how he can provide a valuable weapon for an offense that was inconsistent over the course of the 2015 season (5:28) -Willie Beavers, fourth-round pick out of Western Michigan, and where he fits on this team this season, and whether Arif thinks he can turn into a valuable contributor down the road (8:09) -Moritz Boeringher and his developmental path and timetable for becoming a contributor at the NFL level, and where he may finally find his niche as a player (11:02) -Safety Harrison Smith and the traits that allow him to excel in certain areas of the game, as well as any weaknesses he has that he needs to continue improving on (14:41) -Key battles to watch throughout training camp, and the positions that are still open competitions heading into the summer (18:10)

The second part of our interview with former Oakland Raiders CEO Amy Trask is here, as Mark Schofield and Chuck Zodda host the June 14 Quick Kicks Podcast. In Part 1 of our interview, Amy detailed her 26 years with the Raiders and the intricacies of working in an NFL front office. This episode looks at her ideas about the future of the NFL as well as the state of the game today. Topics this show include: -The key areas of focus for the NFL over the next decade, both in terms of on-field product, as well as how the NFL must continue to grow as a business (1:01) -Amy's upcoming book, You Negotiate Like A Girl, coming out in September 2016, and the key message emphasized by this publication (4:12) -Amy's experiences at owner's meetings, the types of issues discussed at those meetings, and the processes employed at those meetings that keep the NFL running (6:04) -The transition from the front office to the broadcast booth, and how Amy's time with the Raiders helped to inform her approach as a broadcaster, as well as the hurdles to overcome in making this transition (7:29) -The Tuck Rule game and recounting Amy's reaction as the latter part of that battle unfolded (13:31) -The most rewarding memory from Amy's career with the Raiders (15:12) -The blur of Super Bowl week and the rapid-fire pace of Amy's experience during one of the two years in which the Super Bowl did not have a bye week prior to the game (17:20)

At the start of a new week, we take a trip to Raider Nation, as former Oakland Raiders CEO Amy Trask joins Mark Schofield and Chuck Zodda on the June 13 Quick Kicks Podcast. Amy had a 26-year career with the Raiders, working alongside owner Al Davis to build some of the NFL's toughest and most exciting teams to watch. Whether negotiating player contracts or speaking on behalf of Oakland at owners meetings, Amy was one of the most influential people in the game, as she led the Raiders to six playoff appearances, five division titles, and one Super Bowl appearance. Topics this episode include: -Amy's decision to attend law school and the process behind that decision, and how she eventually found herself working for the Raiders, first as an intern during law school, and then in a full-time capacity after (2:16) -Whether Amy deciding to leave law and work for Oakland saw her receive any criticism from people who felt that a traditional law career would be the better path to success (5:12) -The culture Al Davis built for the Raiders, and how different teams utilize different strategies based on what they believe to be the best way to build a winning organization (5:58) -The importance of different opinions within an organization, and how Al Davis sought to create a team that relied on constructive disagreement to produce the optimal result (8:10) -Organization structure in NFL front offices, and the advantages employed by the model Oakland featured (10:22) -The type of diversity sought by Al Davis, and how building a culture that was inclusive based on qualification and production, rather than diversity for sake of appearances (12:31) -The importance of a team's finances in terms of cash flow, rather than simply salary cap accounting, and how the need to run a team as a business can impact decisions as far as personnel and contracts (17:39) -Amy's loyalty to the Raiders and how spending her whole career with one organization was the right move for her, while other people may be better suited for changing teams multiple times throughout their careers (20:01)

It's Friday on the ITP Quick Kicks Podcast and that means one thing - Kicker Friday. We dedicate every Friday to our slightly-smaller, slightly-weirder, slightly-overcompensating kicking brethren who help to make every game a little more exciting. Chuck Zodda and Mark Schofield host the June 10 Quick Kicks Podcast and look at some specialist battles to watch over the course of the summer, as well as the proper statistics for measuring punter performance. Topics this episode include: -Jordan Berry's 2015 performance as punter for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the strengths and weaknesses of his game (2:25) -Key data that is pull from punt charting that does not show up in traditional punting statistics, and how this data helps to improve the picture of how valuable a punter is to his team (5:18) -How a team's needs based on the struggles or successes of their offenses affects the type of punter that is the best fit for them based on the most common field position for punting and expectations for offensive and defensive units (8:00) -Will Monday, the undrafted free agent out of Duke, who is expected to compete with Berry, and the key focus areas for him as he looks to win the job this summer (10:37) -Leg strength of specialists and the development curve throughout their 20s as they refine their craft and pick up the tools needed to replicate their technique more consistently (13:20) -The likely outcome from the battle of punters in Steelers camp this year (15:33)