Go Long Podcast

On one hand, the Buffalo Bills’ defense has been a mess at the worst possible moments. On the other, Super Bowl teams tell us repeatedly that it pays to load up on weaponry. I wrote about the Bills’ defense-heavy draft here [https://www.golongtd.com/p/the-buffalo-bills-defense-has-zero], icymi. Now, let’s bring on old friend Jay Skurski [https://x.com/JaySkurski] of The Buffalo News [https://t.co/m1LIAHwYcu]. Today’s episode of the Go Long Pod is available here — video and audio above — as well as Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/go-long-podcast/id1542095361], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5p41cteJTP3SVhTWla1xiU?si=186d9d79b09949de], everywhere you pod. Thank you for listening and sharing. (Good news: The same day we recorded this, a few of those potholes were filled on Boston State Road.) ICYMI: * 'He wants to be the greatest of all time:' One bold trade, Travis Hunter and why the Jacksonville Jaguars nailed this [https://www.golongtd.com/p/he-wants-to-be-the-greatest-of-all] * NFC North Rounds 4-7 Analysis: Lions, Vikings, Packers, Bears all draft with their Franchise QBs top of mind [https://www.golongtd.com/p/nfc-north-rounds-4-7-analysis-lions] * NFC North Rounds 2-3 Analysis: Which surprising pick will pay off? [https://www.golongtd.com/p/nfc-north-rounds-2-3-analysis-which] * NFC North Round 1 Analysis: The Green Bay Packers (finally) draft a WR early [https://www.golongtd.com/p/nfc-north-round-1-analysis-the-green] * A defining draft for the New York Giants [https://www.golongtd.com/p/a-defining-draft-for-the-new-york] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe [https://www.golongtd.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

At No. 30 overall, the Buffalo Bills selected Kentucky cornerback Max Hairston. His services are most certainly required. This is a defense in need of a corner capable of sticking with receivers step for step in the playoffs. Nobody ran faster than Hairston at the NFL Combine, and scouts describe him as mentally tough — “a cocky little guy” who’s “electric as far as change of direction, movement, speed.” The 5-foot-11, 183-pounder had 89 tackles, six interceptions, three pick-sixes and 10 passes defensed in 20 games the last two seasons. He’s got limitations physically. The Bills needed to step outside of their comfort zone with this pick and we’ll explore more in full later. Here’s a quick chat on Substack Live with WGRZ’s Jon Scott into the wee hours at One Bills Drive. To join future live videos, be sure to download the app and flip notifications on. Thanks, all. Go Long is your home for longform. We are fueled by you. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe [https://www.golongtd.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Good morn! Happy NFL Draft Eve, everyone. There’s a ton at stake for all teams, but nobody needs to nail the draft quite like the New York Giants. To discuss, I recorded a Substack Live with noted comedian (and long-suffering Giants fan) Joe Praino [https://substack.com/profile/43068402-joe-praino]. He runs his own Substack — “Miscellaneous” [https://joepraino.substack.com/] — and is the co-host of the “Dirty Sports” [https://www.dirtysports.com/] podcast. I first got to know Joe when he produced the Adam Carolla Show for about a year. Naturally, he’s got many thoughts when it comes to these Giants. We both try to chart a logical quarterback journey forward for Joe Schoen, Brian Daboll and the Giants. Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston give the organization some breathing room but these Giants are obviously still on the quarterback search. It’s been a bear. Also, what happened to Daniel Jones? I wrote about his exit [https://www.golongtd.com/p/the-case-for-joe-schoen] late last season, and explore more this conversation. We’ve been bullish on this regime [https://www.golongtd.com/p/one-giant-leap-part-i-joe-schoens] at Go Long. This is a crucial moment for both Schoen and Daboll. Thanks to everyone who watched lived. Always a pleasure to have you on. To join future shows, be sure to download the Substack app: We’ll have you covered all three days of the NFL Draft right here at Go Long. Bob McGinn’s 41st annual draft series [https://www.golongtd.com/p/draft-series-access-bob-mcginns-12] is also live. All links are below: * Part 1, WR: Tetairoa McMillan, and then... what? [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-1-wr-tetairoa-mcmillan-and-then] * Part 2, TE: Is Tyler Warren the next Great American NFL Tight End? [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-2-te-is-tyler-warren-the-next] * Part 3, OT: Inside the hunt for the next stalwart left tackle [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-3-ot-inside-the-hunt-for-the] * Part 4, G/C: Who let the dawgs out? [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-4-gc-who-let-the-dawgs-out] * Part 5, QB: Do NFL scouts view Cam Ward & Shedeur Sanders as franchise quarterbacks? [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-5-qb-do-nfl-scouts-view-cam] * Part 6, RB: 'Rare human being and a rare player,' but when to draft Ashton Jeanty? [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-6-rb-rare-human-being-and-a] * Part 7, DL: Meet the Brawlers [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-7-dl-meet-the-brawlers] * Part 8, Edge: Herd of QB Hunters arrive with warnings... [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-8-edge-herd-of-qb-hunters-arrive] * Part 9, LB: Jihaad Campbell, Alabama's latest ass-kicker, leads class full of playmakers [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-9-lb-jihaad-campbell-alabamas] * Part 10, CB: The generational talent of Colorado's Travis Hunter [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-10-cb-the-generational-talent] * Part 11, S: Why Malaki Starks, 'A+ across the board,' can run your defense [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-11-s-why-malaki-starks-a-across] * Part 12, ST: Is it worth drafting a kicker anymore? [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-12-st-is-it-worth-drafting-a] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe [https://www.golongtd.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

A true 40-yard dash time. (There’s a method to his madness.) Mock drafts. (They are poison.) Anonymous sourcing, and why it matters. (We relive Chris Ballard’s sharp criticism of Bob’s Adonai Mitchell report.) PFF and the cottage industry that is… film review. This 2025 Quarterback Class. And what was the most jarring thing he heard from NFL scouts? Oh, boy. Our Bob McGinn has many, many thoughts. Let’s flesh them all out here on a special edition of the “Ty & Bob Pod.” Video and audio are both above. Thank you all for making Go Long at GoLongTD.com [http://GoLongTD.com] your home for unvarnished draft coverage. All 12 parts to McGinn’s 41st annual series are linked below. Learn how the NFL views this year’s prospects. New here? We’d love to have you join our community today. Go Long is completely fueled by readers — no sponsors, no ads, no corporate masters. * Part 1, WR: Tetairoa McMillan, and then... what? [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-1-wr-tetairoa-mcmillan-and-then] * Part 2, TE: Is Tyler Warren the next Great American NFL Tight End? [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-2-te-is-tyler-warren-the-next] * Part 3, OT: Inside the hunt for the next stalwart left tackle [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-3-ot-inside-the-hunt-for-the] * Part 4, G/C: Who let the dawgs out? [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-4-gc-who-let-the-dawgs-out] * Part 5, QB: Do NFL scouts view Cam Ward & Shedeur Sanders as franchise quarterbacks? [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-5-qb-do-nfl-scouts-view-cam] * Part 6, RB: 'Rare human being and a rare player,' but when to draft Ashton Jeanty? [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-6-rb-rare-human-being-and-a] * Part 7, DL: Meet the Brawlers [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-7-dl-meet-the-brawlers] * Part 8, Edge: Herd of QB Hunters arrive with warnings... [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-8-edge-herd-of-qb-hunters-arrive] * Part 9, LB: Jihaad Campbell, Alabama's latest ass-kicker, leads class full of playmakers [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-9-lb-jihaad-campbell-alabamas] * Part 10, CB: The generational talent of Colorado's Travis Hunter [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-10-cb-the-generational-talent] * Part 11, S: Why Malaki Starks, 'A+ across the board,' can run your defense [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-11-s-why-malaki-starks-a-across] * Part 12, ST: Is it worth drafting a kicker anymore? [https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-12-st-is-it-worth-drafting-a] Miss my conversation with David Yost? Enjoyed this conversation on quarterbacks with one of the best teachers of the position. If preferred, here’s the transcript [https://www.golongtd.com/p/quarterbacks-run-the-team-oc-david]. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe [https://www.golongtd.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Way back in our early days of Go Long, we tried to learn everything we could about Jordan Love, the quarterback handpicked to take over for Aaron Rodgers. The plan was always genius [https://www.golongtd.com/p/the-green-bay-packers-have-a-plan], and now the Green Bay Packers are positioned to compete for a long time. Thus, one name you’ve read often — including here [https://www.golongtd.com/p/the-green-bay-packers-have-a-plan], here [https://www.golongtd.com/p/its-jordan-love-time] and here [https://www.golongtd.com/p/jordan-love-will-be-an-all-time-great]— is David Yost. The longtime college assistant was Love’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Utah State in 2017 and 2018. He also coached the likes of Brad Smith, Chase Daniel and Blaine Gabbert at Missouri and Justin Herbert at Oregon. Today, Yost is the offensive coordinator and QBs coach at New Mexico State. Every time we catch up, we end up talking quarterbacks for an hour-plus. So it only made sense to get Yost on the Go Long Pod. Video and audio of this episode is available above, as well as on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/go-long-podcast/id1542095361], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5p41cteJTP3SVhTWla1xiU?si=8b49b8fc85d64b62] and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@GoLongTD/videos]. The written transcript is also here: Topics discussed: * How does a college coach navigate the wild west of NIL today? Yost has lived the changes firsthand. Players come and go. (We get his thoughts on the Tennessee situation, too.) * When did Yost know Jordan Love could be special? * Yost takes you inside his (multiple) pre-draft conversations with Matt LaFleur. The Packers head coach couldn’t sit down with Love during Covid, so he tried to get to know the quarterback best he could. Quickly, he realized Love used his brain as a quarterback. * The “it” factor. Love’s leadership style. * Justin Herbert is quiet as a mouse… but Oregon teammates knew immediately he was the guy. * Why Yost prefers quarterbacks who push the envelope and take chances down the field. Of course, this is a balance the Packers (and others) are trying to strike with their quarterbacks. * The key difference between fumbles and interceptions. * If you don’t have a QB1, Yost is blunt: You better draft one. * Yost didn’t think Shedeur Sanders would amount to much out of high school. Now? Yost is a believer. He explains why in full. Thank you, everyone. We’d love it if you shared Go Long with a friend. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe [https://www.golongtd.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]