Things are heating up.

A year ago, Sam Darnold was a major reason why… and the Minnesota Vikings decided to use their money elsewhere in the offseason. J.J. McCarthy’s ankle is still hurting. After Carson Wentz’s struggles vs. Philadelphia on Sunday, we can’t help but look back at the team’s monumental quarterback decision.

Elsewhere, the Green Bay Packers’ all-in trade for Micah Parsons continues to look genius. He was a menace in the desert.

Chicago’s run game was more of a freight train against the Saints. Ben Johnson’s off to a strong start.

And that decimated Lions secondary edged Tampa Bay’s decimated receiving corps.

Here’s your weekly two-hour dissection of everything NFC North with Pro Football Hall of Famer Bob McGinn. Paid subscribers to GoLongTD.com can access an ad-free version of this episode.

Miss our feature on Lions defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad? It's right here.

Also, here's the piece on Ty'Ron Hopper mentioned on the pod.

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Happy Valley… to Jacksonville… to Chicago… to several other stops at the tail-end, Allen Robinson experienced a little bit of everything as an NFL wide receiver.

Poor QB play.

Super Bowl expectations.

A torn ACL.

1,000-yard seasons.

Contract disputes.

Revis Island.

Stafford ‘n Goff.

There’s a lot to get into and the longtime NFL wide receiver is much obliged. We welcomed Robinson onto our latest Zoom Happy Hour at Go Long this week, and he didn’t disappoint. Thanks to all who joined, and be sure to keep an eye out for future hangouts. Is there an NFL player you’d like to share a virtual beer with? Let me know at golongtd@substack.com.

Video and audio is available above. I’ll also post the transcript separately, too.

Paid subscribers can always join our Happy Hours.

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ORCHARD PARK, NY — Buffalo and Kansas City will meet again in January.

Because of course they will.

That’s how this rivalry works. Then — and only then — will the Bills truly feel satisfied knocking off Patrick Mahomes. But Sunday evening’s 30-21 triumph still felt like a major step in the right direction for Sean McDermott’s team.

In sum, they played to win. They let their own virtuoso at the position, Josh Allen, take over on fourth and 2.

I’ll have a column from the game at Go Long Monday AM. Until then, here’s an instant reaction video with Jim Monos, the team’s former director of personnel and 2009 Super Bowl champ with the Saints.

If you haven’t yet, be sure to download the app and catch future Substack Live videos, too.

Thanks, all!

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GREEN BAY, Wisc. — Christmas decorations are going up in House Clark and just know that the Green Bay Packers’ hulking defensive tackle goes hard for the holidays. This family is getting into the spirit… and then some.

Head downstairs, into the man cave, and you’ll see massive action shots of Kenny Clark in the trenches.

One features Clark nose up on the ball, staring through the soul of a Carolina Panthers center. There are two game balls atop a fireplace mantle — one from a 10-3 win over the Bears in 2019, another from a 38-20 win over the Bears in 2023. That second ball holds a special place in his heart.

In a back corner are Normatec compression leg sleeves. He’s always seeking an edge. After all, those collisions at the line of scrimmage take a physical toll on a 6-foot-3, 314-pound man.

And in comfy sweatpants, the Packers’ grizzled nine-year stalwart in the middle takes a seat on a plush sectional sofa to chat again with Go Long.

Readers may remember our profile from the 2021 season. That’s when Clark opened up about his incarcerated father. Kenny Jr. was only 9 years old when Kenny Sr. was locked up for a murder he insisted he did not commit. (“My Dad did nothing wrong,” son said then.) Clark truly had no idea if his Dad would ever get to see him play — he was sentenced to a minimum of 55 years. To his shock, that moment finally arrived in Week 1 of the ‘23 season at Chicago. It was an emotional afternoon for Kenny Jr., for his mother, for everyone. After more appeals, court proceedings and heartache than he could ever recall, Kenny Clark finally has his father back.

Life is good.

His daughter, Kenaii, is growing fast and he’s got another baby girl on the way.

He inked a three-year, $64 million extension last July.

As for this year’s team? Clark hasn’t felt this hopeful in a long time. The three-time Pro Bowler who’s been on this team since 2016 has suffered plenty of crushing postseason over the years. Now, he’s the elder statesman on the youngest team in the league.

It only made sense to catch up with Clark on our recent reporting trip to Wisconsin.

Audio of our conversation is above for our latest edition of “How the NFL Works,” and the written transcript is here:

Right here is how one of the best of the best on the defensive line balances life and football in the heat of a playoff run.

Full episodes, as always, are available to Go Long subscribers.

Bring in that Christmas cheer!

Previous episodes of “How the NFL Works:”

* S1 E4: 'Get a Quarterback' with Super Bowl champ and ex-NFL exec Jim Monos

* S1 E3: Resurrecting a Franchise with Ron Wolf

* S1 E2: Life After Football with Ryan Leaf

* S1 E1: Building the 2024 Quarterback with Quincy Avery

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Greetings from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport!

Always love flying back to the Badger State where the Spotted Cow tastes just as good as I remember and team president Mark Murphy essentially built an entirely new town around Lambeau Field. (Great work, Mark.) It was a very busy week of reporting for future stories at Go Long in Green Bay, Wisc. — make sure you’re subscribed to read ‘em all. But before heading to the airport to fly back to Western New York, I recorded this Substack Live with Peter Bukowski of “The Leap” and the Locked On Packers podcast.

We try to make a little more sense of the mess in Chicago and what the Bears could do to make Caleb Williams’ life easier.

Also, will we witness another second-half surge out of Jordan Love? The Packers sure hope so.

This was fun.

As a reminder, you can download the Substack app here to catch these impromptu videos with fellow Substackers live:

Miss our feature today? I caught up again with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin. He’s come a long way from nobody recognizing him at Elmo’s for chicken wings as a rookie. Hamlin opens up more on the night he died and came back to life.

His comeback represents the beauty of the sport.

Thank you for reading, subscribing and sharing, everyone.

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Chicago Bears fans have descended from Cloud 9. The hype has subsided and the panic is here.

Ah, now, this is familiar territory for the franchise.

Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron was fired on Tuesday and more changes could be on the horizon. The playcalling has been bad. The offensive line is battered and struggling. But how worried should the Bears be about No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams? Is starting Tyson Bagent a possibility? We get into everything here on the latest episode of the “Ty & Bob Pod” — your NFC North-centric podcast — with Hall of Fame scribe Bob McGinn.

Chicago’s depravity at the quarterback position was explored in our two-part series over the offseason. Williams was supposed to be different, and he still can be.

What a fragile time for Chicago.

Also on this episode, the Minnesota Vikings squeaked out an ugly 12-7 win over Jacksonville. This team has far exceeded expectations and enters the cupcake portion of its schedule, but Sam Darnold’s three picks are a concern.

The Detroit Lions found a way to win vs. Houston despite five interceptions from Jared Goff. We shouldn’t be surprised. The real question is whether or not James Houston relieved himself during the game. We investigate.

And, somehow, we meander into some Aaron Rodgers talk.

Thank you for listening, sharing and subscribing.

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General managers spend seven months meticulously crafting a plan for the NFL season.

They piece together a winning formula and sell a contender to ownership, media and fans alike.

But you know the legendary Mike Tyson quote. Everyone has a plan until they’re punched in the face. Here at the midway point of the 2024 NFL season, several teams must decide whether they’ve got a realistic chance to win with their current group or if it’s time to plan for 2025. Even then, it gets complicated — what goes into those 2025 plans? Who stays, who goes?

For our new show this season — “How the NFL Works” — I welcome back an old friend: Jim Monos.

My former podcast co-host worked as scout for the Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints — winning a Super Bowl in 2009 — before taking over as the Buffalo Bills director of personnel 2013- ‘17. Now, he’s the GM for the Memphis Showboats of the UFL.

For an hour, we get into plenty…

* Are the Cincinnati Bengals contenders? Joe Burrow’s crew has a monster game tonight against the Baltimore Ravens.

* What now for the New York Giants. I tried to make sense of this team following their latest gut-punch loss in the Monday column. Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll decided to roll with Daniel Jones this season. While the 2-7 record isn’t all on the quarterback, Jones’ ceiling has been clear. We discuss how the Giants should navigate the rest of the season.

* The Bills are 7-2. Life’s always good when you’ve got Josh Allen at QB. But January Football should always be on this team’s brain. I ask Monos if the Bills are better equipped to win that inevitable playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

* Why the 2024 Bills remind Monos of his 2009 Saints.

* And throughout the pod, we connect the issues of NFL teams present to Monos’ past. He faced all of these quarterback decisions running the Bills with GM Doug Whaley. More specifically, he understands the danger in sticking with a QB who isn’t the answer. His lesson: Find your guy.

Audio is above. Video is below. You can also catch this episode everywhere you pod, including…

Apple

Spotify

YouTube

Make you download the Substack app where we’ll continue to film “Substack Live” videos, like this one after the Bills’ dramatic win over Miami.

Miss our latest feature? Here’s a profile on the marauding maniac central to everything in Minnesota: linebacker Blake Cashman.

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Jordan Love was careless.

Jared Goff was flawless.

And the Detroit Lions socked the Green Bay Packers with haymakers at the line of scrimmage — jarring considering all of the injuries to Dan Campbell’s crew.

We examine the 24-14 defeat in full here on the “Ty & Bob Pod.” Our Pro Football Hall of Famer Bob McGinn reviewed the tape and many of his findings will surprise you.

Also, the Minnesota Vikings snapped their two-game skid with a convincing 21-13 win over the Indianapolis Colts at home. It was not perfect. Sam Darnold threw two bad picks and there are questions on the offensive line. But Kevin O’Connell can take a lot of good from this win, from left tackle Cam Robinson’s debut to Justin Jefferson’s dominance to Brian Flores’ defense getting back to its chaotic ways.

Go Long paid subscribers can access the full hour and a half.

Packers-Lions talk starts the show and we get to the Vikings about an hour in. As always, the “McGinn Memory” tops us off.

Audio is above and video is below.

Thank you for fueling our independent journalism.

Miss our Monday column? I wrote on Joe Schoen, Brian Daboll and the New York Giants’ direction.

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Tyler Bass missed an extra point on Sunday afternoon against the Miami Dolphins and banked another one in.

So, of course, the Buffalo Bills kicker drilled the game-winner from 61 freakin’ yards.

What a thriller in Orchard Park as Buffalo outlasted Miami, 30-27, to improve to 7-2.

Here at Substack, we’ve now got the ability to bring you live videos. Right inside the app, we’ll start recording more instant reactions to various games and news stories. After this wild finish, it felt like a perfect time to welcome back my old podcast co-host Jim Monos. For those new to Go Long, Monos won a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints as a southeast scout and served as the Bills’ director of personnel with former GM Doug Whaley.

Now, Monos is taking over as GM of the Memphis Showboats in the UFL this upcoming 2025 season.

He always brings a fresh perspective.

Here’s a quick half-hour on Bills-Dolphins and I’ll sit down with Monos again soon for an episode of “How the NFL Works.”

Thanks, everyone. Be sure to download the app for all future Substack Lives:

Go Long is your forever home for longform journalism in pro football.

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The NFC North has been high drama from the get-go this 2024 NFL season.

All four teams quickly found hope through all four quarterbacks.

Now, the weather’s getting colder, the stakes are rising and we’ll see who can separate. This Sunday, the Detroit Lions (6-1) head to Wisconsin for a date with the Green Bay Packers (6-2). Both clubs are feeling damn good after victories. Who has the edge? How did each team score victories this past Sunday? This week’s episode of the Ty & Bod Pod — with Hall of Fame scribe Bob McGinn — explores in full.

Josh Jacobs has become central to the Packers offense. Rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper continues to be a menace. Jordan Love is now battling a groin injury. Jaire Alexander’s effort on a few plays left quite a bit to be desired. The Packers are a fascinating (and healthy) bunch right now. We get into everything.

The Lions, meanwhile, are again coping with a Jameson Williams incident. Not ideal!

Dan Campbell’s search for a pass rush has led him to strange places, too.

Elsewhere, the Chicago Bears lost in the most absurd fashion imaginable. Tyrique Stevenson, of course, was caught on camera taunting fans on the final Hail Mary. How did Caleb Williams play? It was an adventure for the No. 1 overall pick.

Minnesota lost to the Rams in L.A., and now must replace its dancing-bear left tackle, Christian Darrisaw. While we recording this episode, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah swung a trade for Cam Robinson.

Finally, the “McGinn Memory” is a classic. Let’s just say it involves quarterback Lynn Dickey and dog pee.

Go Long subscribers can access the full hour and 38 minutes of analysis. This was a fun one.

Audio is above and video is below.

My column from Monday recapping Week 8 is the NFL — focusing on GM Brian Gutekunst — is also live, icymi, as is this feature on Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr.

Thanks, all.

Go Long is your completely independent home for longform journalism in pro football.

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Apparently, the Washington Commanders were not told this was supposed to be a rebuilding year. So much for a three-year plan.

As we near the halfway point, they’re 5-2 and in prime position to win the NFC East. Rookie Jayden Daniels has exceeded the wildest of expectations — those scouts who saw “Mahomes” might’ve correct — and head coach Dan Quinn is one of the best culture-builders in the game. On Friday AM, I’ll have a story on running back Brian Robinson Jr. We sat down in Virginia, and wow. What a road it’s been for the man who absorbed two bullets.

Until then, here’s a big-picture podcast on the Commanders. I’m joined by JP Finlay.

Finlay covers the Commanders for NBC Sports Washington and hosts “B Mitch & Finley” with former NFL great Brian Mitchell on 106.7 The Fan. You can follow him on X.

We get into everything from the offensive line’s play to Daniels’ immediate success to a (very) deep coaching staff.

Audio is above and everywhere you pod, including Apple and Spotify.

Video is below.

Thank you, everyone.

Go Long is your home for NFL longform. Subscribers can access all columns, all features, all podcasts.

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The best game of the season, to date, was played at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday.

Detroit took this heavyweight brawl vs. Minnesota, 31-29. Jared Goff was nearly perfect. Jahmyr Gibbs continues to prove Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell right. The Lions had a handle of Brian Flores’ wacky pressures. And with so many pass rushers out, the Lions relied on pickle-lid tight coverage in the secondary. It was an impressive afternoon for a roste besieged by injury.

Here on the Ty & Bob Pod with Hall of Fame sports writer Bob McGinn, we dissect the game in full.

Maybe the Vikings lost, but they proved they’re also ready to contend.

Sam Darnold was damn good in his own right. Jonathan Greenard is worth every penny, too.

Around the one hour-mark, we shift our conversation to the Green Bay Packers’ 24-22 win over the Houston Texans. A healthy Packers team is taking care of business.

The Jordan Love Experience was in full effect at Lambeau Field. We prefer the quarterback willing to take chances ‘round here.

Meanwhile, Jeff Hafley is off to one of the best starts McGinn has seen out of a first-year Packers defensive coordinator.

Finally, the McGinn Memory is another classic. Once upon a time, high school teams played at Lambeau Field. Before the pros took the field, they’d tear the hallowed field up.

You can listen to this episode above, watch it below or sync up on Apple, Spotify, everywhere you pod.

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Go Long is your independent home for longform. Thank you for growing our community.

Thank you for sharing the word.

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So much for the post-Ben Johnson haze. The Detroit Lions are just fine on offense.

Dan Campbell’s fourth-down swag was back in a 38-30 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Jared Goff knifed clutch completions. Aidan Hutchinson changed the game late. And most encouraging? This offensive line was back to bullying bodies up front.

I discuss in full with Bob McGinn…

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The Minnesota Vikings have a championship formula. Brian Flores’ defense has been in attack mode since Game 1. With money to spend, the Vikings found the pieces he needs. Sam Darnold has launched himself into the MVP conversation. His game’s been a perfect fit with Kevin O’Connell.

A team predicted by so many to finish last in the NFC North is 5-0.

How did the Vikings get here?

How long can it last?

Go Long is here to find out. We’ll have stories in the near future on this team.

First, here’s a chat with Matthew Coller of Purple Insider. We get into what makes Flores’ scheme special, the coordinator’s own personality post-Dolphins, Darnold’s resurgence and the looming quarterback question of the future.

Audio is above. Video is below. You can also listen to this episode everywhere you pod, including Apple and Spotify.

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We figured the NFC North would be a bare-knuckle brawl. That’s why we built a podcast around the division this 2024 season.

Six weeks in, there’s no debate. Minnesota (5-0), Detroit (4-1), Green Bay (4-2) and Chicago (4-2) occupy the best division in football.

So, let’s dive in.

A loaded episode for you this week with co-host Bob McGinn.

The Lions went full Tony Soprano on the Dallas Cowboys, but it came at a steep cost. We begin the show with a ton of Aidan Hutchinson talk. How will Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell replace the sole source of their pass rush? McGinn offers a few realistic trade options. Expect Detroit to be aggressive. It’s Super Bowl or Bust for this team.

How did the Lions dismantle the Cowboys, 47-9? McGinn dissects the film as only he can. The offensive line left a trail of bodies in its wake. Carlton Davis is starting to prove why he’s a perfect fit in Campbell’s defense, too… cleat to the face ‘n all.

At the 48-minute mark, we shift to the Packers’ blowout win over the Arizona Cardinals.

More specifically, wide receiver Romeo Doubs.

We got to know the wide receiver with a two-part feature:

There’s a lot to unpack.

Is Doubs pissed?

Where do the two sides go from here?

Here’s thinking the two parties are best together. Doubs is exactly what the Packers need on offense.

McGinn uncovers a lot on film, too. Rookies Edgerrin Cooper and Evan Williams are heating up in a big way. Zach Tom’s been excellent. Jaire Alexander is forever a topic of conversation.

As for the Chicago Bears? Caleb Williams is getting better every single week. Across the pond, the No. 1 overall pick torched Jacksonville for four touchdown passes. We both like what OC Shane Waldron’s dialing up on offense. Bears talk starts at the 1:20 mark.

This week’s “McGinn Memory” is a classic, too. Bob brings us back to his quarterback days in the U.P., when a future NFL pro lined up on the other side of the ball.

Full episodes of the Ty & Bob Pod are always available to our paid subscribers.

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The task, to most, appeared insurmountable. This was a Green Bay Packers franchise that had completely forgotten how to win.

When Ron Wolf took over as general manager in November 1991, the football team in the NFL’s smallest market was short on both talent and belief. With free agency looming, it was fair to wonder if the Packers would become obsolete. It had been 24 years since Vince Lombardi won his last title and — over those 24 years — these Packers made the playoffs only twice. (Many readers here certainly remember those dark ages.)

Then, Wolf changed everything.

All the Packers have known since his arrival is winning.

He traded for Brett Favre, hired Mike Holmgren, signed Reggie White and restored the glory days. Through his decade as GM, the Packers never had a losing season, won three NFC Central titles and, of course, reached two Super Bowls. The Packers triumphed over New England in ‘96.

So… how?

How did Ron Wolf make the team in this frigid pocket of the country a winner built to last? The GMs that’ve followed — Ted Thompson and Brian Gutekunst — were both hired by Wolf as scouts in the 90s and both followed Wolf’s blueprint. The Packers became a team that expects to compete for a championship every year. All a credit to Wolf, first and foremost.

General managers across the NFL are trying to turn organizations around. We’ve spoken to many.

Here on the third episode of “How the NFL Works,” Wolf explains in full how he did it. After so many years working as a personnel man for Al Davis and the Raiders (1963- ‘74, 1979- ‘89), a brief run as Tampa Bay’s VP of football operations (‘76- ‘78) and the Jets’ personnel director (‘90- ‘91), the timing was right. Wolf was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015. Today, his son Eliot is the GM of the New England Patriots.

Audio and video are available here for Go Long paid subscribers.

The written Q&A is also available:

New readers/listeners can join us here.

Topics discussed…

* What compelled Ron Wolf to trade a first-round pick for Brett Favre? The Bucs years taught him a valuable lesson. He knew he needed a quarterback.

* Was there a game, a practice, a moment Wolf knew Favre was exactly what the Packers needed? GMs across the NFL are waiting to be struck my cupid’s arrow at the position themselves.

* Favre should’ve been a New York Jet. Instead, he became a Packer and the trade launched the most unprecedented run of quarterback play the NFL’s seen.

* Green Bay had many disadvantages. To this day, it’s hard to convince players in their mid-20s to live in Wisconsin. But Wolf didn’t overthink the negative. He knew there were many built-in advantages to running a football team here… and he played off those advantages. He was determined to make Titletown a Destination Town. Right down to finding the best barbers he could, Wolf make this a player-friendly operation.

* Hiring Mike Holmgren. (The 49ers OC was the “girl with the curl,” Wolf says.)

* Signing for Reggie White. (Sometimes, it simply pays to pay the most money.)

* All these years later, he still thinks about the Packers’ Super Bowl XXXII loss to the Denver Broncos. Wolf reveals his great regret.

* Why he believes Sterling Sharpe should join him in Canton.

* Several personnel men under Wolf have spread his philosophy to other franchises. One, John Dorsey, helped build the best team in the NFL. Another, John Schneider, is still going strong in Seattle. Thompson, of course, won a Super Bowl in 2010.

* Drafting Donald Driver. (The Chicago Bears are to thank.)

* Trading for Ahman Green. (He knew the running back was in Seattle’s doghouse.)

* And the best feeling of them all? Winning the NFC Championship at Lambeau Field over the Carolina Panthers.

Thank you for listening, watching and sharing. You’ll enjoy this one.

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Video:

Miss an episode of “How the NFL Works?”

* How the NFL Works, S1 E1: Building the 2024 Quarterback with Quincy Avery

* How the NFL Works, S1 E2: Life After Football with Ryan Leaf

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Wide receivers aren’t getting open.

Josh Allen had one of the worst games of his career, completing 9 of 30 passes.

The protection broke down.

The playcalling those final three snaps — to put it mildly — was less than ideal.

After starting 3-0, the Buffalo Bills have lost two straight to AFC contenders. Where does GM Brandon Beane, head coach Sean McDermott, Allen and this Bills offense go from here? There’s a lot to unpack. On the podcast, we try to make sense of it all with Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News. The key, as always, is to maximize Allen while you can. But the offense hasn’t looked this bad since the quarterback’s rookie year.

We’ve got our two main podcasts, of course: “How the NFL Works” and the “Ty & Bob Pod.” But in addition to these shows, I’m going to bring back more weekly analysis with various media guests.

You can listen here at GoLongTD.com and over at Apple, Spotify, everywhere you pod.

All podcasts, all features, all columns are available to our paid subscribers.

We don’t rely on sponsors around here. Go Long is forever powered by the people. New here? We’d love to have you.

Next up for the Bills is a date with Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets on Monday Night Football. This is an old quarterback experiencing issues of his own.

Thanks for listening.

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The underbelly of this league is often gruesome.

Sadly, the NFL itself chooses to ignore that underbelly.

That’s why Ryan Leaf has become so valuable to droves of former players — he’s living proof. Many remember Leaf as the quarterback drafted No. 2 overall after Peyton Manning, the “bust” who threw 14 touchdowns, 36 interceptions and washed out of the sport. But everything that’s happened since he left the NFL is the real story. Leaf battled severe depression and eight years of opioid abuse. Breaking into the homes of friends to steal Oxycodone and Vicodin, his addiction was out of control.

Leaf attempted suicide, slicing his wrist with a dull life. He once considered letting his car run in his parents’ closed garage so they’d find him.

Leaf spent 32 months in prison.

Leaf completely turned his life around.

The goal of our new show — “How the NFL Works” — is to bring you football in its most unfiltered form, so it only makes sense to bring on the man unafraid to reveal what life’s like for players after the whistle. Because Leaf also knows this: He’s not alone. He has become a go-to resource for players throughout the NFL. Original Go Long readers may remember the QB’s first visit with us, shortly after former NFL wideout Vincent Jackson tragically died. (It was very emotional.)

For an hour here, we take the conversation a step further.

Audio is above. Video is below.

Written transcript is available here:

A few topics discussed…

* How he has linked up with ex-players at the Menninger Clinic in Houston.

* Why he views the NFL as a “propaganda” and “money-printing” machine. Criticize the NFL and there’s a good chance you’re not welcomed onto the league’s morning show.

* Troy Vincent. He’s got a problem with the league’s executive vice president of football operations.

* Conversations with struggling ex-players. Many, like him, are having suicidal ideation. He takes listeners into this cruel world that’s not broadcast to the masses. His message to guys: “You could move mountains 100 times what you did as a football player.”

* The “identity crisis” players face once they enter the real world after a life in football.

* Leaf’s prison roommate convinced him to teach other inmates how to read. This gave Leaf a sense of purpose, even if he didn’t see it at the time. That sense of purpose changed everything in his life. Still, by no means does Leaf want people thinking a flip was switched and he’s in the clear. Staying sober for 12 years (and counting) is a daily struggle. He nearly relapsed right when he got out of prison, then again years later. Leaf relives both days in immense detail.

* Why he views himself as a “lighthouse.”

* Painkillers in football. They keep players on the field, but at what cost? It was a problem when Leaf played, and he’s heard it’s still a problem.

* Today? Leaf is happily married with two kids, calls college football games, does work with the Menninger Clinic and started a new venture with “The Last Mile,” in which the ex-QB helps current inmates learn a skill they can take into the workforce once they’re released. This work will also be featured on a new SiriusXM radio show.

* Leaf recently walked into the prison in which he was incarcerated. The anxiety was overwhelming. He saw the same guards who treated him poorly. Then, he remembered his larger purpose.

* What should the NFL do to help retirees?

Thank you for reading, listening, watching and sharing Go Long with a friend.

Have a question? Reach us any time at golongtd@substack.com.

We are your completely independent home for longform journalism in pro football.

* Miss Episode 1 of “How the NFL Works?” Here’s my conversation with quarterback whisperer Quincy Avery.

Also, here is Leaf’s first chat with us, icymi:

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Is there a new King of the North?

Well, it’s early.

But these Minnesota Vikings look damn good.

Here on the “Ty & Bob Pod,” we dissect Packers-Vikings in great detail with Hall of Fame scribe Bob McGinn. Should the Green Bay Packers have started Jordan Love? Who’s the better back — Aaron Jones or Josh Jacobs? Why is Sam Darnold an early-season MVP candidate. The film revealed plenty.

We also dive into last night’s Lions-Seahawks thriller. David Montgomery, profiled here, again ran like a man possessed, Jared Goff was a perfect 18 of 18 and (Bob’s favorite) Jameson Williams busted loose. Dan Campbell’s crew outlasted Geno Smith… but there were concerning red flags. They need a pass rusher ASAP.

Finally, what about those Chicago Bears? Caleb Williams looked more than competent with a ground game. Let’s not sleep on this team yet.

McGinn’s weekly memory is another classic, too.

The full 1-hour, 54-minute podcast is available to Go Long paid subscribers.

A subscription gets you access to the “Ty & Bob Pod,” “How the NFL Works” and, of course, all columns and all features here at Go Long, your home for longform.

Thanks, everyone.

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It’s time for everyone to take Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings seriously. Kevin O’Connell just may have some “special shit” brewing.

Optimism is high in Wisconsin, too.

Somehow, the Packers have coasted to a pair of victories with Malik Willis in and Jordan Love out.

Let’s get into everything for another marathon podcast with your pal, my pal: Hall of Fame scribe Bob McGinn.

We open with general MNF banter. I was at Highmark Stadium for the Bills’ punishing win over Jacksonville, while McGinn watched Washington-Cincinnati. A full Vikings-Texans breakdown begins at the 10-minute mark. The Aaron Jones Effect has been real in Minnesota, and we discuss why Brian Flores’ defense is special. The Vikings’ ability to pivot out of the sort of disaster that ruins organizations is impressive, though McGinn cites a few flaws in Darnold’s performance that could come back to bite.

Packers-Titans analysis kicks off around the 41-minute mark. Jaire Alexander’s pick-six was a game-changer, we’re both very high on running back Emmanuel Wilson and what about that pass rush? With eight sacks, the Packers attacked in waves — Kingsley Enagbare, profiled here, was a force.

Detroit Lions talk commences around 1:07:40. Yeah, they won. But injuries are piling up. How will the Lions adapt? It wouldn’t hurt if James Houston, profiled here, decided to come on like he did his rookie year. The secondary’s play is a worthy silver lining.

As always, we cap with a “McGinn Memory.” Bob’s got another doozy from Bart Starr’s coaching career at 1:32:30.

Full audio (above) and video (below) is available for our paid subscribers.

A membership gets you access to all episodes of the “Ty & Bob Pod” and “How the NFL Works,” in addition to all features, columns, and community features here at Go Long.

Thanks, everyone.

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You may remember Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila sacking quarterbacks at will with the Green Bay Packers at the turn of the century. His get-off speed was rare. Only Clay Matthews has sacked the quarterback more as a Packer.

He was a player who loved chatting up teammates, coaches and media members alike about faith. A lot. That’s not uncommon.

Everything that happened from about 2019 on? Well, that has raised eyebrows.

There’s a good chance you stopped everything you were doing to read Kalyn Kahler’s compelling series at Sports Illustrated, “Pray for Kabeer.” The story of KGB’s life took a dark turn in the public eye when he sent two friends to his children’s school with guns. She explored in-depth.

These last few years, Kahler drove the story of Kabeer and Straightway Truth Ministry further with her new podcast: “Spiraled.”

Gbaja-Biamila isn’t alone. Other ex-NFL players — including another ex-Packer —have also joined Straightway and made news for the wrong reasons.

We chatted all about the show here on the Go Long Podcast. It’s a chilling tale that’ll have you binging in a hurry.

Today, Kahler is an NFL senior writer at ESPN. You can follow her on X.

Listen to episodes of “Spiraled” everywhere you access podcasts, including Apple and Spotify.

Thanks, everyone.

Also, icymi, here’s the debut episode of our new podcast at Go Long, “How the NFL Works.”

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Good morning! And welcome to our new show: “How the NFL Works.”

The goal at Go Long is to always deliver pro football coverage in its realest, rawest form. We want to take you behind the curtain.

In that vein, every other week, I’ll chat with a unique guest who’ll zero in one fascinating aspect of the sport. Subscribers can access full audio (above), video (below), as well as the written transcript in a separate post. We’ll explore everything — from life as an area scout to constructing a roster to playing through unspeakable pain. Expect a wide range of players, coaches and scouts all season.

First up is the exceptional quarterbacks coach, Quincy Avery.

The man behind “QB Takeover” has worked with countless quarterbacks we all watch on Sundays: Geno Smith, Jalen Hurts, Deshaun Watson, Justin Fields, Jordan Love, C.J. Stroud, Malik Willis and Joshua Dobbs to name a few. So what exactly is the ideal modern quarterback in 2024?

You’ll love Avery’s analysis and honesty.

A few topics discussed:

* What makes the perfect quarterback in 2024. Avery ranks the attributes. No. 1? “Confidence.” You heard Avery say “confidence is a muscle” in our Browns story. He elaborates on this episode.

* Why Sam Darnold and Kevin O’Connell have been such a phenomenal fit in Minnesota… and why Bryce Young’s confidence has been shattered. Swap Young and Tua Tagovailoa and Avery thinks the results would be the same. He explains. (And he also offers one potential trade destination for Young.)

* Avery has worked closely with Watson, back to the QB’s Texans days. There’s a lot to unpack when it comes to the Cleveland Browns quarterback, on and off the field.

* Quarterbacks are running more than ever. Avery explains why this trend has revved into overdrive. And it all brings him back to his days as a volunteer coach at UCLA. (He once lived out of his car for 19 months.)

* His training methods. Avery details how he trains quarterbacks, offering a few specific trade secrets. Throwing off-platform is an art form — he knows how to simulate discomfort. He’ll bring a chess board right to the practice field.

* If Patrick Mahomes doesn’t land in Kansas City, what would’ve happened?

* Out of nowhere, Geno Smith not only saved his NFL career. Avery believes he’s a Top 5 quarterback. It takes a mental toughness to last nearly a decade as a backup.

* He’s never been a huge fan of Baker Mayfield, but Avery cannot ignore what the Bucs QB has done.

We learn a ton on this first episode of “How the NFL Works.”

Thank you, everyone, for your incredible support.

Unlike 99.9 percent of the podcasts out there, our shows will be completely independent. No ads. No sponsors. We’re proud to say Go Long is 100-percent fueled by you. We’d love it if you shared the word with a friend.

Full video is below.

Full Q&A transcript is here.

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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.golongtd.com

Two games in, the Minnesota Vikings think it’s a damn fight. First, Kevin O’Connell’s crew clobbered the Giants. Next, they stunned the defending NFC Champions.

Can it last?

Here on the “Ty & Bob Pod” at Go Long — with Hall of Fame scribe Bob McGinn — we take a close look at the Vikes’ 23-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Sam Darnold wasn’t perfect, but he’s unafraid to pull the trigger. It’s working. Brian Flores’ defense has been unlocked, too. We’ll learn a lot about this team with Houston and Green Bay on deck.

Lions-Bucs talk begins at the 34:35 mark. Why Dan Campbell’s team lost to Tampa Bay may surprise you. McGinn uncovers everything on film.

Bears-Texans analysis begins at 55:10. How concerned should Bears fans be about Caleb Williams on a scale from 1 to 10? We discuss. The USC quarterback — facing a history of quarterback ineptitude — is off to a rocky rookie season.

Then, around 1:08:50, it’s on to Packers-Colts. This was one of Matt LaFleur’s most impressive wins as head coach. Twenty days after signing, quarterback Malik Willis gets a win. Talk about emasculated. Good grief, the Indianapolis Colts likely flew back home with their tail between their legs. Green Bay ran the ball on 53 of 67 plays.

As always, the episode concludes with a “McGinn Memory.” This one features a player from the 90s who’d answer every single question inside the Packers locker room, win or lose.

Thank you for listening and sharing.

Full episodes are always available to our paid subscribers at Go Long.

Audio is above. Full video is below. Icymi, here’s my Monday column and profile of Vikings safety Harrison Smith.

Thank you for sharing Go Long with a friend.

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He’s hardly sleeping and drinking coffee nonstop.

He’s working on Eastern Standard Time from the United Kingdom.

He lives 24/7 at the edge of offensive innovation in pro football.

What a fun time learning more about this 2025 NFL season with a man married to the game: Oliver Connolly at The Read Optional. Here on the Go Long Podcast, we dive into a wealth of topics:

* Tebowmania. What a time to be alive.

* Detroit’s offense went wild again on MNF. What’s working for new OC John Morton?

* The hunt for explosives in today’s NFL.

* How rookie tight end Jackson Hawes is opening Joe Brady’s playbook in Buffalo.

* Bryce Young is a QB Ollie knows well. Who is the Real Bryce? He has concerns with Dave Canales’ scheme.

* What’s wrong with the Atlanta Falcons? (A team we’re high on!)

* Six teams are 0-3. Which club still has playoff hope?

Video and audio is available above, as well as on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, everywhere you pod.

You can always join our live recordings by downloading the Substack app and turning notifications on.

ICYMI:

Go Long subscribers can hang out with longtime NFL wide receiver Allen Robinson on Thursday night. Our Zoom Happy Hours are back.

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The NFC North promises to be one of the best divisions in football. It’s loaded with intrigue.

Bob McGinn, enshrined in Canton for his distinguished career covering the NFL since 1979, remains extremely plugged into the league and has plenty of analysis to share. He’s still studying the tape unlike anyone in the business.

Thus, the “Ty & Bob Pod” continues for another season right here at Go Long. I’m thrilled to welcome back my former Milwaukee Journal Sentinel colleague. Our focus stays on the North, but we’ll also examine big-picture topics across the entire NFL.

Episode 1 of the 2024 season is accessible to everyone. Audio is above and video is below.

Starting next week, the show is again exclusive to paid subscribers.

On this episode, McGinn begins with a full breakdown of the Green Bay Packers’ Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Position-by-position, he examines what went right and what went wrong. He also explains why he believes the Green Bay Packers can win the Super Bowl and what Jordan Love trait stands out to him most. Around the 50-minute mark, we dive into those Super Bowl-contending Detroit Lions and how this team is a complete reflection of their head coach, Dan Campbell. Once again — in Detroit’s overtime win over L.A. — everyone saw precisely what makes the core of these Lions different.

They fight, yes. But they’re also smart.

At the 1-hour, 27-minute mark, McGinn dissects the Chicago Bears’ bizarre opening win over Tennessee. Sam Darnold looked damn good in his Vikings debut, too.

As always, we cap the show with a “McGinn Memory.” This week, my co-host looks back at the time a young Aaron Rodgers read him the riot act inside the locker room.

A few pieces discussed on the podcast are linked right here for reference.

Thank you, everyone.

* Carlton Davis bows to no man

* D.J. Reader will never break

* DNA of the Lions

* Jordan Love will be an all-time great

* How the Detroit Lions bring ‘grit’ to life

* 'The Problem,' James Houston, is The Future

* Mike Daniels Q&A: 'When are we going to punch somebody in the face?

* You’re up Caleb Williams

Thank you for sharing Go Long with a friend.

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No player generates more opinion and more emotion than one, Aaron Rodgers. He has managed to stay in the headlines for many reasons. Football or otherwise.

Finally, one author threw himself into the quarterback’s world: Ian O’Connor with “Out of the Darkness: The Mystery of Aaron Rodgers.”

Rodgers’ career with the New York Jets now begins. For the podcast, I chatted with O’Connor all about the enigma. We’ve both tried our best to get to know Rodgers. Back in my Journal Sentinel days, I’d sit down with the Packers QB for a lengthy 1 on 1 each spring. Even a decade-plus ago, he was a fascinating figure.

On to my stint at Bleacher Report, a pair of stories made some waves — in 2016 and then 2019.

For his book, O’Connor spoke with everyone he possibly could.

This was a fascinating chat. We delve into the family dynamic, the “immunized” ruse and much more.

Audio and video is above, and you can access this episode on Apple, Spotify and YouTube as well.

Be sure to add Ian’s book to your library wherever books are sold. He’s one of the best in the business. You can also follow Ian on X @Ian_OConnor.

Now, the Aaron Rodgers story continues.

Thanks for reading and listening, everybody.

Column from Week 1 in the NFL:

Our plans for the 2024 NFL Season, icymi.

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All four teams in the NFC South made very different quarterback bets the last two years.

Carolina sold the farm for Bryce Young. Tampa Bay went thrifting for Baker Mayfield. New Orleans paid Derek Carr as the missing piece. And Atlanta, of course, shocked the football world by signing Kirk Cousins and drafting Michael Penix Jr. To wrap up our divisional preview podcasts, it only makes sense to welcome back former Bucs quarterback Shaun King.

His debut was one of my recent favorites. King didn’t hold back on his first appearance — here’s that audio/video and Q&A, icymi.

Now, the man who brought Tampa Bay within one controversial call of a Super Bowl in 1999 brings strong opinions on all five of those quarterbacks… and a few more for good measure.

He’s all-in on Mayfield and promises the Bucs googles have nothing to do with it.

Audio and video is above, and you can also access this episode everywhere you pod, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

Thank you for supporting Go Long.

Our 2024 predictions are live.

Enjoy the game tonight, and be on the lookout for our final season-preview feature Friday AM on the Cleveland Browns — exclusive to paid subscribers.

2024 NFL Season Preview features:

* David Long Jr., and the beast within

* ‘Undeniable:’ Christian Kirk will attack this defining moment

* ‘We’ll get it done:’ The Buffalo Bills enter the great unknown at wide receiver

* Jordan Love will be an all-time great

* ‘All game long:’ Will Anderson Jr., The Terminator, is the Houston Texans' foundation

* ‘Let’s be bold:’ Inside Press Taylor’s office

* INTO THIN AIR, Why It’s (Nearly) Impossible to Win Three Straight Super Bowls (three parts)

* One Giant Leap: Our series detailing the New York Giants’ total reconstruction (three parts)

* Rasul Douglas is playing a different game

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We’re in agreement: Mike Tomlin is one of the best coaches in the NFL.

The man nearly led a Duck Hodges-quarterbacked club to the playoffs. He knows how to muck a game up and will forever ensure his team’s in the playoff mix.

But when it comes to the quarterback position, this is the plan? I was critical of the pivot back in the spring — Russell Wilson just may be expired milk — because, frankly, you get what you pay for at this position. There’s a reason Justin Fields came so cheap, a reason the Denver Broncos are paying Wilson so much not to be their QB1.

Does Tomlin see something others do not? His defense should be loaded once again.

Nobody should be shocked if Joe Burrow goes scorched earth this season, too.

To make sense of the entire AFC North, let’s bring on a podcasting pro: Dave Dameshek. You may remember “Sheky” from his NFL Network days and make sure you add his excellent Minus Three podcast to your library. Dave’s also a fantastic regular guest on the The Adam Carolla Show.

Audio and video of our conversation is above, and you can access the show everywhere you pod, including Apple and Spotify.

Go Long is your home for longform this 2024 NFL season:

Miss a divisional preview this past month?

* AFC West: Michael MacCambridge and the art of the three-peat

* AFC South: It’s Stefon Diggs Time in Houston

* NFC East: They Might Be Giants

* AFC East: Buffalo’s WR gamble, Dolphins stand by Tua & Rodgers (finally) takes NYC

* NFC North: Why the Lions and Packers should think Super Bowl

* AFC West: Will Arizona sneak up on everyone?

2024 NFL Season Preview features:

* David Long Jr., and the beast within

* ‘Undeniable:’ Christian Kirk will attack this defining moment

* ‘We’ll get it done:’ The Buffalo Bills enter the great unknown at wide receiver

* Jordan Love will be an all-time great

* ‘All game long:’ Will Anderson Jr., The Terminator, is the Houston Texans' foundation

* ‘Let’s be bold:’ Inside Press Taylor’s office

* INTO THIN AIR, Why It’s (Nearly) Impossible to Win Three Straight Super Bowls (three parts)

* One Giant Leap: Our series detailing the New York Giants’ total reconstruction (three parts)

* Rasul Douglas is playing a different game

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Erik Kramer shot himself, and survived.

Then, he nearly lost his life again.

Our longtime members at Go Long will recall our three-parter on the former NFL quarterback. It didn’t have a conclusion then. The woman who coerced him into a sham marriage and then robbed him of tens of thousands of dollars had not been punished yet.

Kramer finally received a slice of justice last week, but that’s just what it was: a slice, in the form of four felonies.

Kramer also knows there are many more Cortney Bairds out there.

Here on the podcast, he returns to explain. We’re joined by his close friend Anna Dergan, who helped piece his life back together.

Audio of this conversation is above, video is below and you can access everywhere you pod.

All three parts from that 2021 series are right here, icymi:

* The Fight for Erik Kramer’s Life, Part I: A miracle

* The Fight for Erik Kramer’s Life, Part II: Victimized

* The Fight for Erik Kramer's Life, Part III: A new man

Kramer also joined the show last season to discuss his book, “The Ultimate Comeback.” (Q&A version)

Thanks, all.

Go Long is your home for longform journalism in pro football.

Similar conversations with former players at Go Long:

* Dallas Clark on mowing Kinnick, holes in socks, Tight End U, Taylor/Kelce, the 'walk-on mentality'

* A Super Bowl Conversation with Brett Favre

* Mike Daniels and the psychology of the Green Bay Packers

* Ryan Leaf wants to save NFL players' lives: 'You're not alone'

* What is the future of football? Chad Brown has many thoughts... (Text Q&A)

* Drew Bledsoe lived the beauty and pain of pro football (Text Q&A)

* Matt Hasselbeck learned to believe (Text Q&A)

* 'Pain is glory:' DeVier Posey is the true football journey

* Why Lee Smith is the Great American Tight End Story

* Alex Green escapes the abyss

* The tenacity of Terence Newman

* Quincy Carter was an addict. His life? “Hell.”

* Rashad Jennings’ 180

* Ahman Green was born to be a Packers running back

* Kurt Warner and the power of belief

* Concussions, Flutiemania, a “Miracle.” Rob Johnson relives it all.

* Edgerrin James: “I was made to play football.”

* Trent Dilfer: From “terrible” teammate to Super Bowl champ to QB Renaissance Man

* The impossible life of LeRoy Butler

* Why we should put Ronde Barber’s name right with Charles Woodson

* Don Beebe still gets letters on the “Leon Lett Play” every day

* Darren Woodson opens up on avoiding gangs, wild Cowboys days, depression, finding purpose

* Mario Butler's father was murdered in the most unspeakable way. This is what Butler did next.

* Bruce Smith is still seizing the day

* Donte Whitner thrived in a “scary place”

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The San Francisco 49ers came within inches of another Super Bowl.

This is a roster loaded with talent — Hall of Fame-level talent — at important positions.

And yet? This offseason exposed fractures. As of this posting, the status of Brandon Aiyuk remains a mystery. We expect San Francisco to be in the NFC title conversation again, obviously, but a door has cracked open for the Los Angeles Rams. Their reset year in 2023 went better than planned.

Our podcast previews continue with the NFC West. I am joined by our longtime NFL personnel man — and 2009 Super Bowl champion — Jim Monos. He tells us why we better keep an eye on the Arizona Cardinals, too.

Also, at the top of the show, we discuss the New York Giants and my three-part series, One Giant Leap, accessible to Go Long subscribers.

Video and Audio of the podcast is above, as well as on Apple, Spotify and our Go Long TD YouTube channel.

Miss a divisional preview this past month?

* AFC West Preview: Michael MacCambridge and the art of the three-peat

* AFC South Preview: It’s Stefon Diggs Time in Houston

* NFC East Preview: They Might Be Giants

* AFC East Preview: Buffalo’s WR gamble, Dolphins stand by Tua & Rodgers (finally) takes NYC

* NFC North Preview: Why the Lions and Packers should think Super Bowl

2024 NFL Season Preview features, to date, icymi:

* David Long Jr., and the beast within

* ‘Undeniable:’ Christian Kirk will attack this defining moment

* ‘We’ll get it done:’ The Buffalo Bills enter the great unknown at wide receiver

* Jordan Love will be an all-time great

* ‘All game long:’ Will Anderson Jr., The Terminator, is the Houston Texans' foundation

* ‘Let’s be bold:’ Inside Press Taylor’s office

* INTO THIN AIR, Part I: Why It’s (Nearly) Impossible to Win Three Straight Super Bowls (three parts)

* One Giant Leap: Our series detailing the New York Giants’ total reconstruction

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Patrick Mahomes is a different competitive species. This is a quarterback who hears management secured him a left tackle and — re-fueled with adrenaline — immediately chips a shot out of the 16th-hole bunker at Augusta within six feet of the cup. There’s plenty of magic to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Now, the best player in the sport tries to make history.

No team in the Super Bowl Era has strung together three straight Super Bowl wins.

Here at Go Long, the great Michael MacCambridge delivered a three-part series detailing the Chiefs’ mountainous challenge ahead. MacCambridge, author of the timeless “America’s Game,” analyzed the eight teams that won back-to-back Super Bowls — with a sharp look ahead to the 2024 Chiefs.

So, let’s continue the conversation here on the podcast.

MacCambridge joins me to discuss his series, which of those eight teams were most fascinating and whether or not the Chiefs can complete the three-peat. As he says, “this is the most competitive era in the history of the NFL.” (Especially in the AFC.)

In the spirit of our division-by-division preview podcasts, we also touch on those Los Angeles Chargers. Jim Harbaugh’s schedule is set up to realistically win 10 or 11 games this season.

You can catch audio and video of this episode above, as well as Apple, Spotify and our Go Long TD YouTube channel.

New here? It’s a perfect time to subscribe! In addition to MacCambridge’s series, we’ve got a three-parter live for paid subscribers on the New York Giants meticulous rebuild. Turnarounds don’t always slap us in the face. The Giants are hoping a more holistic, Detroit Lions-like reconstruction pays off.

All three parts are linked below:

* One Giant Leap, Part I: Joe Schoen's Vision

* One Giant Leap, Part II: Building a Champion

* One Giant Leap, Part III: Daniel Jones' best shot

Thanks, everyone.

Enjoy the show.

2024 NFL Season Preview features, to date, icymi:

* David Long Jr., and the beast within

* ‘Undeniable:’ Christian Kirk will attack this defining moment

* ‘We’ll get it done:’ The Buffalo Bills enter the great unknown at wide receiver

* Jordan Love will be an all-time great

* ‘All game long:’ Will Anderson Jr., The Terminator, is the Houston Texans' foundation

* ‘Let’s be bold:’ Inside Press Taylor’s office

* INTO THIN AIR, Part I: Why It’s (Nearly) Impossible to Win Three Straight Super Bowls (three parts)

* One Giant Leap: Our series detailing the New York Giants’ total reconstruction

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Bring up the Buffalo Bills to anyone in Western New York and “Stefon Diggs” inevitably comes up. Locals are excited for change.

This name is also a hot topic of conversation in Houston… for much different reasons.

Our division-by-division podcast preview continues with a (suddenly fun) AFC South.

The excellent D.J. Bien-Aime joins me to discuss. D.J. covers the Texans for ESPN, and you can follow him on Twitter/X @Djbienaime. We get into everything Diggs, his locker-room impact, how targets will be divided up in Houston, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, potential pitfalls for quarterback C.J. Stroud and why D.J. sees the Indianapolis Colts as Houston’s greatest threat in the South.

You can access all Go Long podcasts here at GoLongTD.com, as well as on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

Our 2024 Season Previews to date:

* David Long Jr., and the beast within

* 'Undeniable:' Christian Kirk will attack this defining moment

* ‘We’ll get it done:’ The Buffalo Bills enter the great unknown at wide receiver

* Jordan Love will be an all-time great

* ‘All game long:’ Will Anderson Jr., The Terminator, is the Houston Texans' foundation

* 'Let’s be bold:' Inside Press Taylor’s office

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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.golongtd.com

A sincere thank you to everyone who carved out time for our latest Happy Hour.

The always-entertaining and authentic LeRoy Butler joined Go Long subscribers and there were stories galore.

Full audio and video is available to our paid members. Remember, just let me know who you want to hang out with on a Friday night and I’ll do everything I can to make i…

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Our podcast previews continue a rollicking NFC East discussion.

Conor Orr, the exceptional scribe at Sports Illustrated, joins me to break it all down.

Brian Daboll has taken matters into his own hands this summer. Clearly, these practices are different. The Giants don’t want to get pushed around again. That “Click Click Boom” by Saliva you hear on the speakers is no accident.

Granted, Daniel Jones is central to any Giants conversation. Is Jones primed for an Alex Smith-like renaissance? Or do New Yorkers see more of the same?

In Dallas, Orr’s “Disney” analogy is perfect. Jerry Jones is drawing droves of fans into AT&T Stadium with the flashy names — Dak! CeeDee! Parsons! — but, once you’re in, the product isn’t nearly as glamorous as you think. There’s long lines, mayhem and overpriced beverages.

Philadelphia, conversely, does have a very strong roster… but there’s sneaky pressure on the quarterback.

You can follow Orr on X, and read all of his excellent musings and feature stories at SI.com.

Video and audio is above. It’s always easy to listen to podcasts right here at GoLongTD.com or inside the Substack app.

You can also access Go Long podcasts at Apple, Spotify, YouTube, everywhere you pod.

As a reminder, paid subscribers can access all longform features at Go Long:

I’ll have more on the Giants next week. Daniel Jones sat down with Go Long for a 1 on 1 last week. Here’s that conversation:

1 on 1: Why Daniel Jones 'absolutely' believes he's one of the best QBs in the NFL

Our 2024 NFL Season Preview features continue. Links below, icymi:

* David Long Jr., and the beast within

* 'Undeniable:' Christian Kirk will attack this defining moment

* ‘We’ll get it done:’ The Buffalo Bills enter the great unknown at wide receiver

* Jordan Love will be an all-time great

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Live from 2 Patriot Place, we touch on a variety of NFL topics and take your questions on Substack Live. Excellent submissions. This Sunday is a major litmus test for Mike Vrabel, Drake Maye and the New England Patriots.

The Buffalo Bills are 3-0, too. We discuss their win over Miami on Thursday night — and Go Long-approved bad ass Jackson Hawes.

Want to join future broadcasts? Download the Substack app and flip notifications on.

Thanks, all.

Paid subscribers can gain access to every feature, column and podcast.

Our three-parter “House of Dysfunction” is linked here:

* Part I: The Curious Case of Caleb Williams

* Part II: Inside the Chicago Bears' "rigged trial" at No. 1 overall

* Part III: Who's the boss?

ICYMI:

* No Joe Burrow? Expect the Cincinnati Bengals to keep fighting...

* Ty & Bob Pod S4 E2: Are the Green Bay Packers the best team in the NFL?

* GL Pod: On the scouting trail with John Middlekauff

* Ryan Poles, Brad Holmes and the makings of an NFC North massacre

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The Buffalo Bills welcomed a bold experiment at wide receiver. There’s no ambiguity. They’ll orbit around their quarterback, and his wishes.

Down south, Mike McDaniel is sticking with Tua Tagovailoa as his quarterback. Finally, the two sides reached an agreement.

Does 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers have one last hurrah in him? The New York Jets need to win in 2024 or people will be fired.

Meanwhile, the New England Patriots are a franchise on pause.

Last week, we discussed the NFC North. This week, it’s on to the AFC East here at the Go Long Show.

Audio and video is accessible here at GoLongTD.com, and everywhere you pod, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

Go Long is your independent home for longform journalism.

We’re completely powered by you.

ICYMI:

Mike McCarthy, the owner's latest monkey in the middle, is getting a raw deal

‘We’ll get it done:’ The Buffalo Bills enter the great unknown at wide receiver

Monos Report: Xavier Worthy vs. Keon Coleman

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Dust off your Robert Porcher and Dorsey Levens jerseys. For my money, the NFC Central-turned-North hasn’t been loaded in nearly three decades. Both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions are fresh off seasons in which they were a breath away from thinking Super Bowl. No. 1 pick Caleb Williams has a realistic chance to cure the Chicago Bears’ century-plus-long quarterback problem. Even the Minnesota Vikings have good reason to be hopeful.

Here on the podcast, we’ll devote individual episodes to previewing each division up to Week 1.

As always, I am joined by former NFL scout Jim Monos. He’s been around Donovan McNabb and Drew Brees for long stretches of time and sees the potential for several years of epic QB duels in the North.

Live at the site now is a column on the well-oiled machine Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes have built in Detroit. Subscribers can read here.

Video and audio of the “Go Long Show” is accessible here at GoLongTD.com, as well as everywhere you get your podcasts, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

Our 2024 NFL Season Preview features are rolling out, icymi:

* David Long Jr., and the beast within

* 'Undeniable:' Christian Kirk will attack this defining moment

Go Long is your independent home for longform journalism in pro football.

New here? It’s a great time to subscribe.

Related:

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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.golongtd.com

Hey, things did not go according to plan for Rob Johnson in Buffalo. But that’s life.

He’s not living with regrets.

Here’s the full Happy Hour Replay with the former NFL quarterback.

Johnson relives that quarterback controversy with Doug Flutie — was their bad blood? We all saw the hits Johnson absorbed on the field. Which was the worst? How’s life today?…

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Nobody has covered the Buffalo Bills longer than my friend, Chuck Pollock.

What a fun walk through history this podcast was with the longtime Olean Times Herald sports editor who’s now writing for the Olean Star and Wellsville Sun here in Western New York. Chuck takes listeners right through his time covering the Bills from 1973 to today. You’ll hear everything from O.J. Simpson stories to Johnson vs. Flutie memories, and we discuss the team today.

For background, I owe so much to Chuck. Still remember giving him my “2000 NFL Draft Preview” guide as a 13-year-old on a solo trip to the Times Herald for a school project. He promised he’d offer an internship opportunity when I turned 16 and, sure enough, called three years later. Since then, he’s been a mentor, a friend and countless other TH interns will tell you the same: Chuck Pollock isn’t only an exceptional boss and writer. He is an A+ human being.

Even if you’re not a Bills fan, you’ll enjoy Chuck’s stories about covering the NFL back in the 70s, 80s and 90s.

It was a different time. You never quite knew when a fight may break out on the team plane.

Audio and video is accessible here at GoLongTD.com, and everywhere you podcast, including Apple and Spotify.

As a reminder, Go Long subscribers can join Friday night’s Happy Hour with former Bills quarterback Rob Johnson at 7 p.m. (EST). Feel free to join and ask anything you’d like.

Thank you for joining our community, and helping us grow.

ICYMI:

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There is nobody quite like Wyatt Teller on the line of scrimmage. He is 6 foot 4 inches, 315 pounds of whiskey-loving, alligator-hunting hell for defensive players.

The Cleveland Browns have had arguably the best rushing attack since 2020, and he’s a primary reason why.

Go Long readers may recall getting to know Teller in this story a few years back. With the 2024 season closing in — and hope building in Cleveland — this was a perfect chance to chat again with the gregarious Teller. Holy, he has many stories to share. Audio and video are both available above, and you can access all Go Long Podcasts on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

This conversation was both entertaining and exceptionally insightful.

Inside…

* Teller has seen flashes of “absolute greatness” in Deshaun Watson. He explains why they’ve got faith in the QB.

* What happened between the Browns and Baker Mayfield? His theory will surprise you.

* His Buffalo Bills exit. He was shipped away. Why?

* Bill Callahan. The longtime offensive line coach is quite a hard ass. He helped elevate Teller’s game, but — wow — the man could be ruthless. (Callahan is off to the Tennessee Titans. Teller is very honest on the subject.)

* Life in the trenches. We know how David Long harnesses anger. Teller’s approach is different.

* Who’s the one All-Pro defensive tackle that absolutely hates playing Teller?

* His blocking style. Teller breaks down what makes his game unique. It’s an art form.

* Talking to opponents about Jesus between plays.

* Why Chris Jones is the best player he has ever tried to block.

* Expectations in Cleveland. Is this a team that can reach the Super Bowl in 2024?

Enjoy.

This was a fun one.

The full Q&A transcript is also right here.

Go Long is your completely independent home for NFL journalism.

We aim to bring you football in the raw.

We are powered by you.

ICYMI:

Here is our profile of Teller from 2021.

And his Happy Hour hangout with subscribers in 2022.

Our 2024 Season Preview features are now going live. First up, the surreal life of David Long Jr., a man who epitomizes the brutality of the sport itself. For years, the Dolphins linebacker has managed to turn personal tragedies into a truly unique playing style. But at what cost?

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More teams have officially placed their quarterback bets.

Six of the first 12 picks in the 2024 draft were QBs.

Which rookies have entered the best possible situation? We examine on this week’s episode of the Go Long Show. Caleb Williams has an opportunity to exorcise a century of demons in Chicago. (Part I and Part II of our series, icymi.) Jayden Daniels, the quarterback drawing Randall Cunningham comps from one former college coach, is co-host Jim Monos’ choice. We don’t stop at the top QBs for this exercise, either. Each of us choose three rookies total at three very different points in the draft.

Two running backs might’ve landed with the perfect playcaller. Be sure to draft both in the late rounds of your upcoming fantasy drafts.

Two quarterback fliers are also worth keeping an eye on.

Audio and video of the podcast is available here and everywhere you pod, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube. The show is fueled by our friends at Fattey Beer in Western NY.

We’re getting closer to our regular stream of stories at GoLongTD.com, too.

Expect our first season-preview piece this week. All will be accessible to subscribers.

Clips from the show on our Go Long TD YouTube page:

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Good afternoon! Hope everyone has prepared their grills and country-music playlists accordingly for July 4.

First, a quick programming note. When it gets quiet here at Go Long, I promise that’s a good thing. This lull in the NFL calendar is prime time to chip away at bigger projects. Will be sharing the first extensive feature on Monday morning.

Until then, here’s a new episode of the Go Long Show with co-host Jim Monos.

Hard Knocks is taking a look at the New York Giants, a club we’ve examined from Dave Gettleman to Joe Schoen and many Daniel Jones decisions along the way. And so far, so good. We’ve actually been treated to substance. For the Giants, this 2024 season is clearly all about the quarterback who has started 61 games. The Giants’ calculated gamble is that a refurbished interior line, a new No. 1 wideout (Malik Nabers) and two-plus years with Brian Daboll elevate their $40 million QB.

There is much risk involved. We discuss.

If you’re the general manager of a football team, would you hang onto the previous regime’s best players? Or start over? Monos shares his thoughts.

Feel free to rate, review and share wherever you access podcasts, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

Thanks, all.

Go Long subscribers can access all features, columns and podcasts.

Thank you for joining our growing community!

From last year:

The Resurrection: ‘I want to bring championships to New York’

Q&A with one Giant great, icymi:

The Tiki Barber Story

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You’re never quite sure when or how a quote or anecdote from a story will rip through the modern NFL news cycle. Three weeks ago, I wrote a story trying to make sense of the Dallas Cowboys’ bizarre offseason rooted in conversations with those who’ve worked in the front office.

The note was somewhat buried in a bigger-picture piece. But, yes. One former personnel man said he believes Mike McCarthy has grown “fed up” with how this team operates under Jerry and Stephen Jones. Jerry’s World is a weird place, as we’ve previously examined. It’s no coincidence that contending Dallas teams fall short under this ownership.

Perhaps you caught our report from McAfee or Skip or Rich Eisen on Monday.

Figured it would be a good idea to flesh out a full podcast to discuss the reporting, the state of the Cowboys, everything. McCarthy should be upset. The state of affairs is never normal here, whether it’s penny-pinching in free agency (when one or two vets could be the diffference) or the scene inside the draft room (when Jerry just may brag about a sexual excapade in front of his daughter.)

Full audio and video is above, and available at Apple, Spotify, everywhere you pod.

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel as well for clips from all shows.

Go Long is fueled by our readers.

New here? Upgrade to access all such peeks behind the NFL curtain.

Cowboys Column:

Three-part Series from 2021:

Recent Podcasts:

1 on 1 with Brandon Beane:

Column:

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John Madden (“Boom!”) and Pat Summerall (“Nothing doing!”) on Sundays. Hank Williams Jr. on Monday nights. A sport not yet dulled by the suits on Park Avenue. Favre and Aikman and Young and Kelly and Elway and Marino.

Football peaked in the 90s.

But it wasn’t without its issues… especially at the end of the decade.

One year after Jerry Rice clearly fumbled in the NFC wild card, Bert Emanuel clearly caught it in the NFC Championship Game. And that’s with the implementation of instant replay in-between. A moment like this can change the trajectory of careers. So, yes, Shaun King recalls that night in St. Louis quite vividly.

This week, I caught up with King to relive that game, those Bucs teams and go deep on quarterbacks today. King watches the game closely, and always offers sharp, unapologetic analysis. Audio and video is above. You can also access this conversation everywhere you pod, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

I’ll post the written transcript of this chat with King this weekend as well. Just landed in Charlotte for this year’s APSE convention.

Discussed on the pod…

* The 1999 NFC title. To this day, Shaun King is convinced that Tampa Bay was better than the St. Louis Rams. They lost that night, 11-6. But as you may recall, the final Bucs drive was riddled with controversy.

* What-if’s. King has many from his time as the Buccaneers’ starting quarterback through the 1999 and 2000 seasons. That Rams game was full of ‘em, and one loss at Lambeau Field in the 2000 finale — off a missed 40-yard FG — proved to be particularly damaging.

* NIL Madness. King was an assistant coach at South Florida from 2016- ‘19, and his finger on the pulse of this modern college landscape. On this podcast, he solves everything NIL.

* King played with five Hall of Famers in Tampa, and shares a story of Warren Sapp’s freak athleticism.

* The quarterback market today. Numbers continue to skyrocket. King’s on-board with the position having its own salary cap.

* How do teams screw up at the top of the draft so often? King was never a fan of Trey Lance and Zach Wilson. He doesn’t see Drake Maye doing much any time soon, either.

* Michael Penix Jr. Back at USF, King recruited Penix. He was convinced back then that the quarterback would be a star. He sees this situation playing out beautifully for the Atlanta Falcons. Haven’t chatted with anyone this bullish on Penix before.

* Aaron Rodgers, he says, is the most selfish and self-centered quarterback of this generation. King’s mind is blown that the quarterback had the audacity to blow off New York Jets minicamp. He explains.

* What it’s like being confused with another “Shaun King.”

Go Long is your home for longform in pro football.

A few similar past Q&A’s…

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Life is sweet for Preston Brown. He’s happy now.

The middle linebacker who roamed NFL defenses from 2014- ‘19 is living in Atlanta. He’s engaged. He has two dogs. He still works out all of the time at his home gym.

Brown is also a man who can finally take a deep breath and reflect on the high drama that is professional football.

As always, Go Long subscribers are welcomed to join these Happy Hour podcasts and ask players anything you’d like.

This episode, Brown dished on a wide, wide array of topics…

* Schwartz to Rex to McDermott. The defense was always changing during Brown’s time with the Buffalo Bills. He has stories to share on all the above. The NFL could feel like WWE with Rex Ryan.

* Did Mario Williams really quit on the 2015 Bills team? What made those ‘15 and ‘16 defenses so chaotic under Rex? Everything has to be perfect in this scheme.

* Hell no, Donnie Henderson, he will not get you Krispy Kreme donuts in Canada.

* To this day, Preston Brown wants to slap Odell Beckham. Seriously. He explains.

* Off to the Bengals, he completely lost his zest for the sport and became a person he could not recognize. An extremely angry, agitated person.

* You want to stay on Vontaze Burfict’s good side.

* Petermania. Believe it or not, Brown agreed with the team’s decision to start rookie Nathan Peterman over Tyrod Taylor. Next, came an all-time disaster.

* “$500 per pound.” Brown takes listeners through the manic race to shed weight ahead of a Friday weigh-in. Locals might’ve seen him at LA Fitness in Orchard Park, NY.

You can access video/audio to this episode above and everyone where you pod, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

Is there a player you’re dying to shoot the bull with on a Happy Hour? Let me know at golongtd@gmail.com.

New to Go Long? We’d love to have you join our community. Meet fans from around the world.

Happy Hour Replays:

* Alex Green

* Week 18 Preview HH

* "The McDermott Problem"

* Steve Calhoun

* John Hansen

* Andrew Brandt

* Peter King

* Warren Moon

* Isaiah McKenzie

* Bob McGinn

* Rob Johnson

* Jamal Lewis

* T.J. Lang

* Jamaal Williams

* Stevie Johnson

* Richie Incognito

* Wyatt Teller

* Doug Whaley

* Isaiah Likely

* Stevie Johnson

* Eric Wood

* LeRoy Butler

* Bob McGinn & Jim Monos

* Quincy Avery

* Erik Kramer

* Frank Winters

* Olin Kreutz

* Peter King

* Johnathan Franklin

* Steve Calhoun

* Jim Monos

* Jace Sternberger

* Doug Whaley

* Isaiah McKenzie

* Andy Janovich

* Vince Williams

* Ryan Leaf & Steve Tasker

* Joshua Harris

* D’Wayne Eskridge

* Allen Robinson

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Matt LaFleur couldn’t have scripted a faster start for his Green Bay Packers. Ben Johnson couldn’t have scripted a worse start in Chicago. Dan Campbell’s crew got back on track. Meanwhile, in Minnesota, Kevin O’Connell may be asking himself some hard quarterback questions over the next few weeks.

Of course, things always change fast in this league.

We di…

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A half-decade of heartbreak has convinced Brandon Beane that major change is needed to this Buffalo Bills roster.

Granted, this was a team $41 million in the red at the start of the new league year.

But as the Bills general manager detailed to Go Long in a 1 on 1 conversation, the team sees immense value in reinventing the roster around quarterback Josh Allen. They’re counting on new leaders emerging. The best-case scenario for Buffalo? An evolving head coach mirrors an evolving roster. We’ll see. There’s risk involved. As Beane admits, you don’t want to waste these Super Bowl opportunities.

Here on the podcast, I chat with recurring guest Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News. You can follow Jay on X @JaySkurski. We previously examined the state of the team after the draft.

With minicamp in the rear-view mirror and training camp up next, we try to figure out if all this change is for good. There are psychological benefits.

Ownership is maintaining belief in Sean McDermott.

The pressure to win — now — will always be high with Josh Allen.

Audio and video is above, and you can also access the Go Long Podcast on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

New to Go Long? We’d love to have you join our community today. As a paid subscriber, you can access all of our content, including a two-part series on the Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams, the latest wackiness in Jerry’s World and why the hype is real in Houston.

ICYMI:

Brandon Beane details his vision for the Bills for an hour here…

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He’ll become a rich man very soon. Jordan Love played his way into the upper tier of quarterback contracts late last season.

Still, this was a small sample size.

And opposing defensive coordinators are bound to offer a counterpunch.

The same bet these Green Bay Packers placed on Love the night of April 23, 2020 applies in June 2024. This is a player worth the investment. On this episode of the “Go Long Show” — with co-host, longtime NFL personnel man Jim Monos — we shift the quarterback conversation to Love. GM Brian Gutekunst wants a deal done before training camp, but Love probably doesn’t mind the sight of other quarterbacks raising the market price.

In related news, Tua Tagovailoa sounds like a man who wants a deal done ASAP. As discussed in Part I of the mailbag, these two negotiations may be linked on Athletes First’s side.

We know the Miami Dolphins will lean into their identity.

Finally, we wrap the pod with thoughts on a special breed in this sport: NFL offensive line coaches.

You can catch audio and video of this episode above and everywhere you pod including Apple, Spotify and YouTube. (Feel free to rate, review and share!)

Go Long is your home for longform in pro football.

To our members, thank you.

New here? The best way to support our independent journalism is with a subscription.

ICYMI:

* Mailbag, Part I: Mahomes Effect, Love's contract, PEDs, NIL, UFL, Watson, the 2024 playoff sleeper

* What in the hell are the Dallas Cowboys doing?

* The NFL is going global. Here's why.

* 'I'm not done:' Latavius Murray has the NFL Running Back Survival Guide

From the Love archives:

* Love, lost: On Davante Adams' unfortunate miscalculation

* Jordan Love (and his GM) send a message to the NFL

* Bravo, Green Bay

* It's Jordan Love Time

* 'He’s going to prove everybody wrong'

* Let the Jordan Love Era begin in Green Bay

* The Green Bay Packers have a plan (it's genius, too)

Up next:

* A column on the team bound to be hyped more than any other into 2024: the Houston Texans.

* The rest of your mailbag questions.

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One year ago, Super Bowl visions danced in their heads. The Jacksonville Jaguars, fresh off a thrilling run to the playoffs, appeared poised to launch themselves into serious contention once and for all.

We chronicled the 180 from life under Urban Meyer to Doug Pederson.

The Jags started 8-3.

A No. 1 seed was in sight.

Then… disaster. The Jaguars failed to qualify for the dance, losing to the Tennessee Titans in the regular-season finale.

It’s been a busy week on the road for Go Long reporting on features you’ll see over the coming weeks. When in Duval County, it’s always a must to catch up with Mia O’Brien of 1010XL. For this Go Long Podcast episode, O’Brien explains how the Jags got to this point and we both try to figure out if Pederson, quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the Jags can get their mojo back in 2024. This isn’t the AFC South of old. The stakes are clear with the defensive coaching staff reset this offseason.

Enjoyed this conversation. Be sure to follow O’Brien for all things Jags.

You can listen right here at Go Long, as well as on Apple, Spotify and everywhere you pod.

Thank you for supporting our independent journalism here at Go Long.

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