Wave 1 of NFL Free Agency is upon us and a lot of money is being spent in hopes of future success.  We discuss all things salary cap with a guy who was on the team side for almost 20 years, Nick Polk.  Cap vs Cash.  Dead Money.  Having a plan.  Sticking to your board.  Nick dives deep into what all is involved in negotiating, structuring and doing player contracts.  We discuss the growth of the salary cap and even get into a few deals Nick was a part of.  NFL and Salary cap info you won’t hear anywhere else.

One of the most exciting, and sometimes impactful, weeks of the year is done - which just leads to the next cycle of the pre-draft process.  Neil and I jump into the combine week and talk highlights and rumors from Indy.  Plus - we go over all the 2024 ITL Seminar Award winners, giving scouts recognition they deserve, but rarely receive.  The Lions take away best draft but that is just one among many.  Tune it to hear if your team had someone take away some hardware.

Everyone is waiting on Justin Fields and the Bears to see where the 2024 Draft direction really goes - so we invited longtime NFL Scout and Chicago Bear Greg Gabriel to discuss this, and more.  What do we think of Justin Fields - can you win with him?  Where do the Bears go in the Draft and Free Agency?  Plus, a host of QBs including presumptive #1 Caleb Williams are discussed.  Where we disagree on JJ McCarthy, why Jayden Daniels is special, Drake Maye super consistent and do Penix and Nix belong in the conversation?  Insight from a man with over 30 years in the NFL - you will not want to miss today’s episode.

From 2019 to today the Transfer Portal has changed and evolved.  Oscar Monnier has seen it first hand at Northwestern, Oregon, Stanford, Duke and Texas A&M.  We dive into the portal, how it has changed, how it has to be managed, and some of the headaches involved.  Just a preview of the conversation Oscar and co-host, Neil Stratton, will have at next weeks Inside the League Symposium at the NFL Combine.  First hand insight into the portal with someone who has been on the inside.  Check out insidetheleague.com for more information on the symposium.

The Chiefs edge the 49ers in what was nearly the first ever 2 overtime Super Bowl. We discuss what we saw and what we thought? Overtime rules and strategy-is it being blown out of proportion? Plus Tom Brady has not been been shy when discussing how the NFL has gotten “mediocre” - coaching, development and rule changes all leading the way. Special Guest and former teammate of Brady, James White, Joins Neil and Rodrik to discuss all this and more.

The East/West Shrine Game and Reese’s Senior Bowl have wrapped up, players have hopefully helped themselves through the process, but what does it all mean for their draft status.  We have 19 year scouting veteran Blake Beddingfield on to discuss it all.  On field play, interviews and what comes next.  How does this all carry into February Meetings and what comes  out of  these meetings?  Analytics -  what is their role?  Combine - Pro  Days - Get ready because the draft process just rolls along.  Plus, the hiring cycle is about wrapped up, what are our thoughts.  Super Bowl Predictions.  And More!

From under the bleachers at Hancock Whitney Stadium and the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl we discuss all things football.  Changes to front offices in New York and Pittsburgh as well as a Raven going from one Harbaugh to the other.  Can guys really stand out in a short week and who are guys that Rodrik and James remember from past Senior Bowls.  Then, as a member of the NCAA administration offices, James Kirkland talks about the NCAA Division 1 Plan and what it will mean for college athletics, specifically, college football.  A long time member of football programs at both the NCAA and NFL level, how his unique perspective and background will help lead to the right solution.

Special Guest Jimmy Noel is back to discuss all things college football.  How has recruiting changed, where does the transfer portal factor in and how does NIL really affect the landscape.  We dive into Dylan Raiola and what he liked about his film along with how Nebraska is going to be back in the national conversation.  Plus - what did we see in the NFL this last weekend and what are predictions for the Conference Championships.  The Raiders and Panthers have their GM’s in place; how will it affect each franchise.  Why relationship matters between the HC and the GM.   So much packed in to this episode - you will not want to miss it.

Special Guest Jimmy Noel joins Neil and Rodrik and discusses his time with 2 iconic franchises in the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs.  What was special about both places and how they operated.  Working with John Dorsey, and how he successfully drafted and managed players with questionable off field character.  Drafting Baker Mayfield and talking some Josh Allen.  Then we get into the coaching cycle - what this movement is going to mean for coaching staffs and front offices.  Is Eliot Wolf next in New England - or elsewhere?  Insight you will not hear anywhere else.

Those who stay will be Champions!  Blake Corum, Donovan Edwards and a filthy defense made sure that was the case for the Michigan Wolverines.  We dive into the UM program with Michigan Resident, former NFL player and longtime NFL Scout Russ Bolinger.  The unique personalities in the Wolverine program and what we think it means for Jim Harbaugh’s future.  Plus, dive into the coaching changes in Tennessee, potential changes in New England and what teams are dealing with through the process.  Insight you will not hear anywhere else.

Great CFP Semi-final games lead to Washington vs Michigan for the big trophy.  We dive into both games, the players and who helped themselves plus we preview the championship game and what we both expect.  Plus, with a deep QB draft and movement expected for April, who do we see rising and falling through the process and where it will all shake out.  Owners picks?  New Offensive Coordinators?  Historical comparisons and when/do they matter for a prospects profile.  Scouting perspective you will not hear anywhere else.

The Big 2, Reese’s Senior Bowl and the East/West Shrine Game, along with the CGS, Tropical, Hula and HBCU Legacy bowl are fast approaching.  So, how do NFL teams treat these?  What are the most important aspects and what are some of the great stories from a scout that has been to nearly every one.  Along with Neil Stratton of Inside the League, Rodrik David discusses what elements of each game is most important, or important at all.  Plus, New Years 6 Bowl game previews and more.  Scouting perspective you will not hear anywhere else.

NFL Scouts are off the road and for the first time since training camp, getting together to talk about the tireless work they did during the fall.  Character reads are a big part of that - but what all goes into a character read?  On-field, off-field, intelligence, toughness - so many factors will shape a profile.  We dive deep into what happens during these meetings and why scouting departments that are on the same page will continue to outpace those operating in Silos.  This is perspective you will not get anywhere else.

With the transfer portal red hot and the changing college landscape, how do NFL Scouts navigate these getting character and get the full story on draft picks?  Breaking down silos and doing more than the minimum - that is just a start.  How do agents and athletes value a player and what factors weigh into Transfer, stay put or enter the NFL draft?  This plus more from Neil Stratton of Inside the League and NFL Scout and Draft Consultant Rodrik David.

The top 4 is set for the College Football Playoff, and is was not without controversy.  Did the CFP Committee get it right?  What about the Final 4 in the Heisman?  A little caveat into Jalen Milroe and Jordan Travis.  The on to opt out season.  With regular season now finished, players choose whether to play in their Bowl Game, opt out and train for all star games and the combine - or opt out of everything.  Where did it start, where has it gone and how to scouts view those players.  And finally - one of the great rivalries in all of college football is this week - Army vs Navy, and why you should tune in.

With the Raiders making changes at both Head Coach and General Manager and now Frank Reich being shown the door in Carolina - how do Scouts manage this unsettling time of year?  Rodrik David talks about the changes that affect scouts and how they have to try and navigate.  Neil Stratton brings the agent and league perspective and how the entire organization has to adjust.  Insight you will not find anywhere else.

OT and Edge rushers as value positions at all times in the NFL, why and how to track it.  The Texans in the right direction, time to go all in?  The Raiders in the wrong direction, why I am selling on Pierce as the answer.  Is there going to be an upset in Athens?  Lane Kiffin has his chance to shine.  And why the Big10, Michigan and Ohio State need to lead the way out of the NCAA and the joke that they are.

The #NFL trade deadline has come and gone, what did your team do and what are the Commanders planning? Young gets his first W vs Stroud but where is each QB at? Do Bagent and Levis deserve more opportunities? Why consistency is the ultimate decider and how Grades Scales differ for NFL teams

What are college scouts looking for down the stretch as they get closer to finalizing their in season reports?  Setting the stage for all star games, the combine, free agency, and of course, the draft.  Would sitting out the rest of the year hurt Caleb Williams?  Why do Arkansas fans need to take a breath for Sam Pittman?  What Michigan should do with the NCAA.  #Michigan #NCAAFootball #Arkansas #CalebWilliams #USC #NFLDraft

Tanking is for Dummies - #NFL teams do not and should not tank.  Why I mute games when I am watching and how to keep the right mindset scouting amid all the noise.  Is the #Michigan OL really that good, 7 draft picks?  What I really think about them.  Insight into the Scouting process that you will not hear anywhere else.  #NFLDraft

Scouts at all levels convince themselves that ”This Guy” has what it takes, despite what all the signs say.  Why? And how does this manifest itself through an entire department.  CJ Stroud and Bryce Young are examples, and it will show up with your arms like Spencer Rattler, Michael Penix and DJ Uiagalelai in 2024.  Plus, is toughness, tacking and playing hard really that important to succeed in the NFL?  #NFLDraft #SouthCarolina #OregonState #Washington #Texans #Panthers

Quick snapshot of NFL action in week 1 and the QB’s that did and did not play well.  With Caleb Williams dad making statements about his son’s future, is there one less QB to think about in the 2024 NFL Draft?  Ewers leads Texas to the biggest upset so far in 2023.  And Scout hype vs Media hype on players - what to really look for.  #Texas #USC #NFL

Week 1 NFL Preview. Who is going to come out on top in each division? Who is going to take a step back? What players to watch for? A scouts take on how the playoff landscape will shape up come January.

Kicking off the NCAA season with Weeks Zero and 1.  What have NFL Scouts gleaned from early performances and what are they looking for moving forward.  The Colorado Buffaloes are the national story but what is really to watch?  Is Coach Prime for real and can they sustain?  FCS vs FBS scouting.  NFL Preview.

A one time lacrosse recruit that has himself primed to now be drafted into the NFL.  The Purdue Boilermaker TE will have a chance to show his skills at the East/West Shrine game before working through the rest of the process.  #87 Payne Durham