On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we celebrate the start of training camp (and some real news) with a mailbag! What should we make of the surprising NaVorro Bowman extension? How are the positional battles shaking out on offense? What can we glean from training camp reports? And is Trent Baalke entering a make-or-break season? All that, plus Anthony Davis is for reals back, some Game of Thrones talk, and a winter jacket update. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we round out Scheme Month with a sort of Passing Game 101. What’s going through a quarterback’s mind before the snap? How does the quarterback determine where to go with the football? What is a passing concept and how do routes complement each other? All that, plus our first Player Spotlight, 90-man roster player rankings, and new intro music from Stephen Schreffler and Jarrod Taylor! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Scheme Month keeps on keepin’ on as we explore some of the tactics used to defend the spread offense that Chip Kelly’s 49ers might see in 2016. What is the spread offense? What sort of problems does it create for the defense? And how can the defense solve those problems? All that, plus where does the Aaron Lynch suspension leave the 49ers at outside linebacker, some happy life news, and jelly or jam? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the news is slow going but Scheme Month rolls on with Run Defense 101. What roles can defenders fill in run defense? What is gap control and why is it important? What techniques to defenses use to control those gaps? All that, plus the 49ers’ best and worst contracts, #colorinthehole, and slosh ball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Better Rivals back! After a month-long hiatus, we’re kicking off Scheme Month with a look at how teams build an offensive game plan. How do coaches determine what plays to put into a game plan? What elements make up a game plan? And how can we determine whether a game plan was successful or not? All that, plus David gets caught up on mini camp news, new intro music, and we play a game of Real Quote or Not: Mini Camp Edition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices