Ollie Connolly is joined by Michael McQuaid to breakdown which of last season's non-playoff teams have a shot at making a Super Bowl run in 2022: Are the Chargers worthy of the preseason hype? Will Matt Ryan unlock something new for the Colts? Is health all that stands between the Ravens and a playoff push? All that and more. You can check out Ollie's piece on the Saints defense on here: readoptional.substack.com Or read his piece breaking down the complexities of Greg Roman's offense and why it...
Jun 22, 2022•52 min
Will Gavin and Ollie Connolly canvass the remaining free agent market to see who could still be available to help a team make a playoff push. You can check out Ollie's deep-dive on Trey Lance and the second-year QBs here: https://readoptional.substack.com/p/trey-lance-analysis-nfl And you can pre-order the 2022 Gridiron Annual here: https://www.gridiron-magazine.com/product-category/bookazines...
Jun 15, 2022•42 min
Will Gavin and Ollie Connolly convene to discuss potential breakout players for the 2022 season: Which of the sophomore edge-rushers will step up? Is Trevor Lawrence primed for an explosion now that the Urban Meyer Experience is over? Which players could have a re-birth in new spots? And more. You can check out Ollie's deep-dive on Kyler Murray and the Cardinals offense here: https://readoptional.substack.com/p/there-is-more-to-come-from-kyler And you can pre-order the 2022 Gridiron Annual here:...
May 31, 2022•39 min
Michael McQuaid is joined by Jeff Reinebold this week to look over the latest happenings in the NFL. Colin Kaepernick had a workout with the Las Vegas Raiders - could we see him play in the league this season? Also, Michael and Jeff examine the Steelers and Jets fortunes ahead of the new season. They also discuss Kyler Murray and what to expect going forward. You can read Ollie Connolly's deep-dive on Murray's development and where he can still improve exclusively on The Read Optional: https://r...
May 30, 2022•33 min
Will Gavin, Ollie Connolly and Si Clancy breakdown the coaches who will enter the 2022 season on the hottest of hot seats: Is this it for Kliff Kingsbury? Will Matt Rhule be able to hold onto his job? What, exactly, does Mike McCarthy do in Dallas? And who will be at the front of the Sean Payton sweepstakes? The draft is over but the analysis doesn't stop. You can read Ollie's breakdowns of the draft -- the players, the schemes, the fits, the decisions -- by subscribing to The Read Optional: htt...
May 17, 2022•48 min
Ollie Connolly and Si Clancy discuss Tom Brady's bumper deal to become the lead analyst at Fox, beginning.... at some point (maybe?). They also dig through some of the intriguing post-draft quarterback situations in the league, including: both New York teams; the Niners; the Jags; more.
May 12, 2022•58 min
Ollie Connolly and Simon Clancy re-convene to run through some of the biggest questions from the NFL Draft: Which quarterback landed in the best spot? What is the most exciting receiver-to-team marriage? How do the Ravens keep getting away with this? What's going on with the Cardinals? Why did Nakobe Dean fall to the third round? And much more. The draft is over but the analysis doesn't stop. You can read Ollie's breakdowns of the draft -- the players, the schemes, the fits, the decisions -- by ...
May 05, 2022•1 hr 1 min
Michael McQuaid is joined by Jeff Reinebold to review the first five picks of the NFL Draft. The NFL Draft may be coming to an end, but you can still check our information on your new favourite player! Simon Clancy's 2022 NFL Draft Guide is out now! You can subscribe to The Read Optional to pick up a copy of Si's Draft Guide. In the guide, you’ll find: - 240-plus pages of analysis - 400-plus in-depth reports, breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of all of the draft’s top eligible prospects...
Apr 30, 2022•43 min
Ollie Connolly and Simon Clancy wrap up their draft preview pods with a look at the final picks in the first round. They run through the potential selections for teams selecting 25-32, pitch some trade ideas, and then make some predictions about the biggest surprises of the night. Simon Clancy's 2022 NFL Draft Guide is out now! You can subscribe to The Read Optional to pick up a copy of Si's Draft Guide. In the guide, you’ll find: 240-plus pages of analysis 400-plus in-depth reports, breaking do...
Apr 28, 2022•49 min
Ollie Connolly and Simon Clancy continue their tour of the first round of the NFL Draft, breaking down the prospects you need to know and looking at the possibilities for the teams from picks 16-25. Simon Clancy's 2022 NFL Draft Guide is out now! On the latest Gridiron Show, Ollie Connolly and Si Clancy discuss Si's draft guide, run through picks 11-14, each team's potential strategy and top targets, the evolution of linebackers, and a whole bunch more. You can subscribe to The Read Optional to ...
Apr 27, 2022•40 min
Will Gavin is joined by the Jets assistant GM Rex Hogan ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft, live on TalkSport 2. The Jets have two picks inside the top-10, and Rex outlines how the team has evaluated the upcoming class. Simon Clancy's 2022 NFL Draft Guide is out now! You can subscribe to The Read Optional to pick up a copy of Si's Draft Guide. In the guide, you’ll find: 240-plus pages of analysis 400-plus in-depth reports, breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of all of the draft’s top eligible pr...
Apr 25, 2022•20 min
Simon Clancy's 2022 NFL Draft Guide is out now! On the latest Gridiron Show, Ollie Connolly and Si Clancy discuss Si's draft guide, run through picks 11-14, each team's potential strategy and top targets, the evolution of linebackers, and a whole bunch more. You can subscribe to The Read Optional to pick up a copy of Si's Draft Guide. In the guide, you’ll find: 240-plus pages of analysis 400-plus in-depth reports, breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of all of the draft’s top eligible pros...
Apr 21, 2022•41 min
Ollie Connolly and Simon Clancy convene for the inaugural Gridiron Live show. They go team by team to discuss the potential paths for the top eight picks in the upcoming NFL Draft: Will the Jags select Aidan Hutchinson, one of the top o-linemen or spring a surprise? How does Houston reboot itself out of a hole? And are the Panthers *really* going to take Kenny Pickett sixth overall? They discuss all that and more. The latest issue of Gridiron magazine is out on the 14th of April. 'The Pass-Rushe...
Apr 13, 2022•1 hr
Will Gavin and Ollie Connolly kickoff Gridiron's draft coverage (did this really begin a couple of weeks ago? Yes, but roll with it) with an overview of this year's class. They discuss its strengths and weaknesses and how evolutions in the college game have clouded some evaluations. They then move on to which five franchises most keenly need to 'win' the draft, from rebuilding teams to contenders. The latest issue of Gridiron magazine is out on the 14th of April. 'The Pass-Rushers Are Coming!' t...
Apr 12, 2022•46 min
Ollie Connolly (Gridrion Editor) and Simon Clancy (Lead Feature Writer) discuss the bumper trade between the Eagles and Saints, the oddity of Kayvon Thibodeaux's pre-draft process -- and where he may land -- and the top pass-rushers in the upcoming draft class. You can subscribe to Gridiron magazine now to receive the 2022 NFL Draft edition here: https://www.gridiron-magazine.com/shop You can also read Ollie's piece on the Mike McDaniel-Tua Tagovailoa partnership in Miami here: https://readoptio...
Apr 05, 2022•48 min
Will Gavin, Si Clancy, and Ollie Connolly break down another significant week of NFL transactions, discussing Tyreek Hill’s trade from Kansas City to Miami and the changing nature of team building across the league. If you want your questions answered during the shows Mailbag section, tweet @Gridrion with the #mailbag or email Oliver.Connolly@platformmedia.uk and include ‘Gridiron Show’ in the subject line
Mar 29, 2022•34 min
Ollie Connolly (Gridiron Editor) is joined by Spencer N. Schultz (Baltimore Beatdown) to breakdown all things Baltimore Ravens: The team's defensive struggles last year; what new DC Mike MacDonald will bring to the team; the impact of adding Marcus Williams; the third year of 'evolving' the passing game; the value of Patrick Ricard; more. You can follow Spencer on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/ravens4dummies You can read Ollie's latest thoughts on free agency here: https://readoptional.subst...
Mar 23, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Will Gavin, Ollie Connolly and Simon Clancy dissect the Deshaun Watson fallout after his trade to the Cleveland Browns, react to Matt Ryan landing with the Indianapolis Colts and discuss which teams have improved the most throughout free agency.
Mar 22, 2022•40 min
Ollie Connolly (Gridiron Editor) and Nicholas McGee (Stats Perform) discuss Davante Adams' trade to the Raiders, its impact on the Packers, the loaded AFC, moves in Buffalo, the Baker Mayfield of it all, troubling times in Carolina, and more. You can read Ollie's free agency breakdowns here: https://readoptional.substack.com/p/some-early-free-agency-thoughts And here: https://readoptional.substack.com/p/some-further-free-agency-thoughts You can also read more about the Russell Wilson-Nathaniel H...
Mar 18, 2022•1 hr 3 min
Will Gavin and Ollie Connolly review the opening 48 hours of free agency, breaking down all of the big deals including Mitchell Trubisky to Pittsburgh, JC Jackson to the Chargers, and Alex Cappa to the Bengals.
Mar 15, 2022•41 min
Oliver Connolly (Gridrion Editor) is joined by Mark Bullock of Bullock's Film Room to breakdown Carson Wentz's trade to Washington: What went wrong in Indy? How can the Commanders get the most out of their new QB? What situation is Wentz walking into. You can read Ollie's piece on Wentz's place in the Washington offense here: https://readoptional.substack.com/p/one-subtle-adjustment-the-commies Read Mark's analysis of Wentz's 2021 season here: https://markbullock.substack.com/p/what-does-qb-cars...
Mar 11, 2022•56 min
Will Gavin, Simon Clancy, and new Gridiron Editor Ollie Connolly delve into the quarterback conundrums NFL teams will face this season. They break down the blockbuster Russell Wilson trade, Aaron Rodgers' decision to remain with the Packers, and take a look at some of the prospects entering the NFL Draft come April.
Mar 08, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Will Gavin and Olly Hunter review the London Games and compare the experience to Wembley. They are then joined by the mayor of London Sadiq Kahn and Head of Europe & UK for the National Football League, Brett Gosper, to discuss the future of the NFL International circuit.
Oct 22, 2021•44 min
Will Gavin, Liam Blackburn and Simon Clancy are joined by Jason & Osi to preview the London Games. Simon also takes a deep-dive into the Dolphins' troubled season and the boys recap the Urban Meyer saga.
Oct 07, 2021•1 hr 1 min
WIll Gavin, Olly Hunter and 12-year NFL veteran Will Blackmon preview a blockbuster week of NFL matchups that sees Tom Brady returning to Foxboro to take on Bill Belichick. Will Blackmon also breaks down Richard Sherman's decision to sign for Tampa Bay and reviews the CJ Henderson trade.
Sep 30, 2021•49 min
Will Gavin is joined by Olly Hunter and 12-year NFL veteran and Super Bowl champion Will Blackmon to discuss all things week 3 in the NFL. The boys discuss the latest QB injury news, highlight some players that have impressed them this year, and also preview some of the most exciting week 3 matchups.
Sep 23, 2021•44 min
Will Gavin and Will Blackmon are joined by Olly Hunter, who returns to the podcast to talk about some week one over-reactions, rookie quarterbacks and to dissect a painful performance from the Green Bay Packers before looking ahead to this weekend's matchups.
Sep 16, 2021•38 min
The Gridiron gang is back for the new season! Will Gavin, Liam Blackburn, and former Super Bowl champion Will Blackmon preview an action-packed opening weekend in the NFL. The boys predict their dark horse candidates, highlight some teams that could struggle this year, and make their way too early Super Bowl predictions (with plenty of Will Gavin Seahawks slander in between.)
Sep 09, 2021•50 min
Will Gavin and former Super Bowl champion Will Blackmon review an action-packed NFL Draft, they discuss the QB chaos, favourite under-the-radar picks and also touch on THAT Aaron Rodgers bombshell.
May 06, 2021•55 min
The Gridiron Show is back! Will Gavin is joined by his new co-host Will Blackmon to talk all things NFL Draft. The former Super Bowl champion tells us about his personal experience at the NFL combine, the Senior Bowl and breaks down some of the defensive backs he has been coaching leading up to draft day.
Apr 22, 2021•40 min
