Inside The Pylon Quick Kicks Podcast

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 sco

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) -T

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

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

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 wel

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 b

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

One of the toughest things to do in any sport is properly evaluate talent and the potential for that talent to develop. The June 9 Quick Kicks Podcast focuses on the scouting process, looking at the ways scouts can identify issues within their own methods of evaluation, and improve the accuracy of their analysis. Host Mark Schofield is joined by Sean Cottrell of Inside the Pylon as the two dig into some of the strengths and weaknesses of the scouting process, and what can be done to improve it. Topics this show include: -Sean's own path to learning more about scouting and how that path helped to inform his ideas on the process (1:14) -The genesis of Sean's recent piece on the responsibilities of scouts as well as the importance of understanding the limitations of the scouting process based on the resources available (4:52) -The skill of making decisions without knowledge of all of the information on a subject, and how to work to fill in gaps where they exist (8:51) -Understanding biases and how they creep in

Quick Kicks June 8, 2016 - Ethan Young on Slaytics, Player Valuations, Kickers & Punters by Inside The Pylon

The Indianapolis Colts suffered through a disappointing 2015 campaign, marred by injuries and and inconsistent offense that seldom lived up to expectations. The June 7 Quick Kicks Podcast looks at the upcoming season for the Colts, with hosts Chuck Zodda and Mark Schofield joined by new ITP writer Matt Danely as they look to figure out what went wrong and whether or not the issues have been addressed heading into the fall. Topics this show include: -The issues Indianapolis has seen in trying to limit the production of opposing tight ends over the past several seasons, and how they looked to address this problem through the draft and free agency (1:11) -The use of three draft picks on offensive linemen as the Colts look to build a better unit in front of Andrew Luck to allow the young signal-caller to utilize his talent (5:44) -The two late-round defensive players selected and whether they have the ability to step in this year as role players and carve out a niche for playing time (8:50) -Eastern Washington's

If you feel like your football flotilla is firmly planted in the middle of the June doldrums, you are not alone. Fortunately, despite the lack of any major action at the pro or college level right now, we still have plenty to talk about. The June 6 Quick Kicks Podcast lays the groundwork for discussing a potential top-10 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Mark Schofield and Chuck Zodda are joined by new ITP addition Jon Ledyard as he sheds some light on Auburn DE Carl Lawson, who despite missing significant time due to injury, has the traits to warrant top-10 consideration. Topics this show include: -The key traits Lawson possesses that allow him to be in consideration for a top pick despite having just one sack over the past two seasons (2:16) -Lawson's versatility as a pass-rusher and the techniques he employs, and whether he has enough versatility to compete at the NFL level (4:03) -The level of competition seen on Lawson's tape and how viewing a prospect playing against inferior competition can help illuminate

It is Friday and that means only one thing - Kicker Friday is here once again. The June 3 Quick Kicks Podcast takes you inside the third phase of the game as hosts Chuck Zodda and Mark Schofield break down some key terms and concepts from the punting game. While gross yardage is often quoted by many people as a measure of a punter's success, there are in fact a number of other statistics and methods that measure a punter's effectiveness more accurately. Topics in this episode include: -The difference between open-field and pin-deep punting, looking at how field position can shape punting strategy (1:28) -The three different strategies on pin-deep punts, detailing the coffin corner punt, nose-down punting, and pooch punting, and the various situations in which each are utilized (4:27) -The strongest punters in 2015 for distance-control, focusing on target distance punted (TDP) for open-field punting, and touchback percentage on pin-deep punting (7:43) -Brett Kern's 2015 season and why he was so strong as far

June is typically a lull for NFL and college teams as they look to gather themselves before heading into the new season. We took one day of rest and are back at it. The June 2 Quick Kicks Podcast features hosts Mark Schofield and Chuck Zodda discussing terms from the ITP Glossary related to the passing game so you can be more knowledgeable heading into the fall. While there are a number of different offenses in the pro and college game today, the focus today is on concepts from the "Air Raid" offense. Topics discussed in this episode include: -The "Mesh Concept", detailing the route combination used as well as the general principles behind utilizing this concept (2:18) -The versatility of the mesh concept and the types of defenses it can succeed in attacking (5:14) -Variations on this route combination and how teams can create subtle wrinkles to change the type of pressure it puts on opposing defenses (7:11) -The "Y-Cross" and how it sets up a multi-level attack in the passing game that also spreads a defens

ITP Quick Kicks May 31, 2016 - Matt Waldman on 2016 Draft Quarterbacks by Inside The Pylon

Quick Kicks May 27, 2016 - Matt Harmon of NFL.com Wraps Up Fantasy Week by Inside The Pylon

We move into our fourth day of Fantasy Week as we enter the home stretch. The May 26 Quick Kicks Podcast features host Mark Schofield and guest Sigmund "Human Fantasy Football Encyclopedia" Bloom discussing nearly every player in football and their fantasy projections for the upcoming season. Whether quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, or even IDP selections, Sigmund has intriguing thoughts on nearly every aspect of the game. Topics this show include: -Ezekiel Elliott and why he is likely to be incredibly valuable as a rookie due to a combination of his skills and the system he landed in, including his ability to pass-protect on third down (2:15) -The 2016 wide receiver class, and who has the ability to have an early impact, versus the player who may have the highest upside for dynasty formats (7:16) -Rookie running backs aside from Elliott who may have value in single-season fantasy drafts, focusing on DeAndre Washington of the Oakland Raiders (10:28) -Myles Jack and Darron Lee and the IDP outlook

The ITP Fantasy Express rolls on through Wednesday as we continue to dig into the intricacies of fantasy football to get you ready for the upcoming season. Doug Moore joins hosts Mark Schofield and Chuck Zodda on the May 25 Quick Kicks Podcast as we dig into several concepts regarding re-draft leagues. Doug helps to explain several trends that have appeared in recent years and separate out the useful ideas from those that are best left undrafted. Topics this show include: -Doug's first article for Inside the Pylon, discussing the reasons for taking a wide receiver in the first round in re-draft leagues (1:30) -Whether the transition away from the classic feature back by many NFL teams gives running backs that still get 20-25 carries per game additional value in fantasy (4:19) -Which running backs are still worthy of a first-round pick given the shift away from the running game over the last decade (6:05) -The tight end position and whether any TEs aside from Rob Gronkowski are worthy of an early-round pick i