Go Long Podcast

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Go Long Show: Championship Sunday Recap Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

The Michael Jordan comparisons are no longer hyperbole. Patrick Mahomes’ vise grip on the league only gets tighter. Kansas City’s quarterback was excellent in another AFC Championship and Lamar Jackson… was not.

Over in the NFC, Dan Campbell coached this championship game exactly as he has coached all season. Aggressively. That’s the mentality that helped guide the Detroit Lions out of the doldrums. This night, it backfired. San Francisco capitalized on the Lions’ mistakes to punch its ticket to a Super Bowl rematch.

Here on the Go Long Show — with co-host Jim Monos — we dive deep into both conference championship games.

The first half is spent on Chiefs/Ravens; the second on Lions/49ers.

You can listen/watch here at Go Long or within the Apple, Spotify and YouTube feeds.

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Features, icymi:

* How the Detroit Lions bring 'grit' to life

* The Real Romeo, Part I: 'You’ve got to see who I am'

* The Real Romeo, Part II: 'Perspective game'

* The Spirit of Jonathan Owens

* Man in the mirror: Alim McNeill explains the Detroit Lions

* Why Ben Johnson is atop the coaching wish list

* ‘You only get one life:’ The Juice Scruggs vantage point

* 'Keep dreaming, baby!' Why the Cincinnati Bengals can contend with Jake Browning

* 'You can’t run from the fight:’ Cam Heyward’s perspective

* Erik Kramer Q&A: 'I’m here to help people'

* Mike Daniels Q&A: 'When are we going to punch somebody in the face?'

* Chad Brown Q&A: 'Who’s winning this battle? The owners.'

* The McDermott Problem, Part I: Blame Game

* The McDermott Problem, Part II: Lost in translation

* The McDermott Problem, Part III: Let Josh be Josh

* Delarrin Turner-Yell is the 'miracle' in Denver

* Orlando Brown Jr., son of 'Zeus,' was built for the storm

* ‘Sam can be the guy in Washington’

* 'Does he have that something special?’ Kurt Warner on Jordan Love

* A star is born: Nico Collins

* Zach Sieler, the muscle in Miami

* Q&A: Matt Hasselbeck still wants the ball...

* Quarterbacks of the Future

* Is there hope for the New York Giants?

* Calais Campbell is defying logic

* Chig Okonkwo knows tomorrow is not promised

* The Cleveland Browns are a 'big, ugly machine'

* Kenny Pickett vs. The World

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

Ty & Bob Pod: Opportunity lost Jan 24, 2024

Show notes

This defeat will leave a mark. The 2023- ‘24 Green Bay Packers exceeded expectations.

The first year of Jordan Love was a success.

He looks the franchise guy.

And yet? Nothing is ever guaranteed in the NFL. All Love needs to do is ask the quarterback who preceded him. It’s hard to generate the sort of momentum this young team had into the NFC divisional ro…

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

Go Long Show: The Buffalo Bills' Super Bowl dreams crushed again by KC Jan 23, 2024

Show notes

A lot has changed since the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs staged an all-time classic in the 2021 divisional round of the playoffs. Specifically, the philosophy of this Bills offense.

The result, however, did not.

Kansas City edged Buffalo, 27-24, on Sunday night at Highmark Stadium. Make it five straight crushing defeats in the postseason. This one will sting all offseason because this was the year to catch Patrick Mahomes. The Bills had the Chiefs in their house this time. The Bills (allegedly) were welcoming in a stammering Chiefs offense.

So much for that.

Mahomes proved inevitable. (Again.) And the Bills continue to waste the prime of Josh Allen’s career. (Not ideal.)

Round ‘n round we go, as this Bills season ends like all the previous Bills season. We break down the game here on the Go Long Show and I’ll also have a story live soon for Go Long subscribers.

Miss the three-part series from last month? All links are right here. The Bills should be asking themselves hard questions right away this offseason.

Part I: Blame Game

Part II: Lost in translation

Part III: Let Josh be Josh

Thank you for reading and listening, everyone.

Be on the lookout for full coverage of the AFC and NFC Championships. Heading to Detroit this week to see how in the heck Dan Campbell’s crew took all that DNA and built a potential Super Bowl team.

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

Go Long Show: Time is now for the Buffalo Bills Jan 20, 2024

Show notes

Hyperbole is impossible with this one. The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs meet for the third time in the last four postseasons.

Thirteen fateful seconds at Arrowhead ruined one legitimate Super Bowl opportunity.

Now, the Bills get their modern-day nemesis in Orchard Park. We needed to carve out a full podcast episode to preview everything Josh Allen vs. Patrick Mahomes, Sean McDermott vs. Andy Reid, Bills vs. Chiefs. As always on the “Go Long Show,” I’m joined by co-host Jim Monos.

This is Year 7. The Bills have been banging on the Super Bowl door. Does McDermott’s crew beat KC and then bust that door down? Or will this resemble a team maxed out? We’ll all be tuning in Sunday night. (Unfortunately with Tony Romo narrating the festivities.)

Also, we save some time to discuss the Dallas Cowboys’ wacky decision to run it back with Mike McCarthy. Par for the course in Jerry’s World.

Thanks for listening, all.

Audio and video are available here, as well as Apple, Spotify and everywhere you pod.

All three parts of our McDermott series are below as well. Another defining moment awaits the Bills head coach.

* Part I: Blame Game

* Part II: Lost in translation

* Part III: Let Josh be Josh

Go Long is your home for longform journalism in pro football.

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

Pod: Dave Birkett on Lions fever, Joshua Brisco on Patrick Mahomes Jan 19, 2024

Show notes

Ford Field, somehow, remains fully intact after the Detroit Lions’ first playoff win in three decades. What an atmosphere. The Kansas City Chiefs are the defending Super Bowl Champions. But how different is this 2023 outfit heading to Orchard Park, NY?

To get the skinny on two fascinating playoff teams — one crashing the party, one seeking a sixth straight AFC title appearance — we reach out to a pair of experts.

Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press dissects everything from Jared Goff’s revenge vs. Sean McVay to the Lions’ shaky defense to exactly how loud it was inside the stadium during Detroit’s 24-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams.

Joshua Brisco of Sports Radio 810 and the Arrowhead Report fills you in on those funky Chiefs. In what ways has this KC offense changed since losing the Bills at home? Also, he supplies his personal analogy for Isiah Pacheco’s running style and has strong thoughts on the boyfriend of Taylor Swift at tight end. Good times again with Brisco.

Enjoy.

You can listen to episodes here at Go Long and everywhere you get podcasts, including Apple and Spotify.

If you haven’t, be sure to subscribe to our Go Long TD YouTube channel, too.

Go Long is your home for longform journalism in pro football.

Miss this week’s Ty & Bob Pod? We preview Packers-49ers and also examine those Lions:

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

Ty & Bob Pod: Green Bay and San Francisco meet again Jan 16, 2024

Show notes

Green Bay served as the party wrecker on “super” wild-card weekend. (Don’t forget that “super,” everyone. It’s very important.)

With one 48-32 smackdown, Jordan Love sent a message to the NFL and the Dallas Cowboys are again in disarray. Our Bob McGinn called the upset on the podcast. So how does NostraBob see Saturday night’s divisional playoff matchup with the No. 1-seeded San Francisco 49ers playing out? We differ on this outcome.

Of course, there’s plenty of Packers talk with a full personnel breakdown on both sides of the ball.

We also discuss:

* Jerry Jones. Don’t hold your breath on Bill Belichick heading to Texas. As we wrote a couple years back, life is bizarre in “Jerry’s World.” Everything may make a little more sense in Big D with this three-part series.

* The Detroit Lions win their first playoff game in three decades, and just their second since 1957. Jared Goff — blamed and banished by Sean McVay — earned a signature win. Here’s the December 2020 feature story mentioned on the pod. Goff’s comments then prove prophetic as the leader of these Lions. Defensively, the Lions have concerns. They’re grab-bagging for help on the defensive line, though Alim McNeill supplied a needed boost.

* Tampa Bay is a 6.5-point underdog at Ford Field. You can count on the Bucs expecting to win on the road. Nice call, Carlton Davis.

* McGinn explains what made Aaron Jones special in Green Bay’s win. He’s peaking.

* The difference in Santa Clara for Green Bay? Pass rush. There should be opportunities to fluster Brock Purdy.

* As always, we finish with a “McGinn Memory.” You’ll want to hear McGinn’s thoughts on Johnny Holland, the former Packer linebacker battling cancer. (As chronicled by the great Peter King.)

Thanks for listening and sharing, everyone.

Enjoy.

ICYMI:

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

'They hit a home run:' Brett Favre is all in on Jordan Love Jan 12, 2024

Show notes

GREEN BAY, Wisc. — This weekend marks a historic new chapter. Jordan Love makes his first playoff start against the Dallas Cowboys and — at this rate? — the Green Bay Packers just may be on a fast track toward a half-century of quarterback harmony.

Absurd in the NFL. Entire franchises spin on the hamster wheel for a generation.

A perfect time to check back in with the icon behind the renaissance of the franchise: Brett Favre. The three-time MVP has a lot to say on this episode of “FAVRE.”

Go Long also flew to Wisconsin this week for reporting that’ll roll out over the coming days and weeks.

On this episode, Favre is unplugged on many topics:

* Jordan Love. He’s a believer… and then some. Favre is effusive in his praise, right down to the new QB’s “cool, calm and collective” manner. He sees teammates who want to fight for him, too. (“Jordan has the team on his back. They love him. … I think the guy’s legit. I think they hit a home run.”)

* Remember the photos that NBC put side-by-side during the Packers-Vikings game? Yes, Favre sees himself in Love, and explains why that particular throw is so, so difficult to pull off.

* He views the Packers as the most dangerous team in the NFC. (“They can beat anyone.”)

* The cold. Favre enjoyed playing in Lambeau’s frigid chill — to a point. (He didn’t own an ice scraper, either.)

* Is Mike McCarthy’s job on the line with a loss? There’s a lot of pressure on Dallas. Mainly because coaching under Jerry Jones is a different beast. Favre still has a relationship with his former coach and explains what’s likely going through McCarthy’s mind into this game.

* Speaking of, how would Favre describe his relationship with McCarthy. It didn’t end well in ‘08.

* Packers-Cowboys memories. This was the team that owned Favre’s Packers in the early 90s. He looks back at the psychology of trying to overcome Aikman, Emmitt, Irvin and the mighty Cowboys. Specifically, a ‘95 NFC Championship Game for the ages.

* Seeing “ghosts.” It’s a phrase we hear often, but Favre articulates exactly what it means. He certainly saw ‘em and knows Dallas will try their best to confuse Love.

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Full video:

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

Go Long Show: Wild Card Preview Jan 11, 2024

Show notes

GREEN BAY, Wisc. — Forty-eight hours ahead of wild-card weekend, make sure all chores are completed and your schedule is clear. There’s a very good chance you won’t be that interested in leaving your recliner.

The NFL playoffs begin Saturday and I cannot remember a better slate to kick things off. It’s a blend of future Hall of Famers, revenge games, inclement weather, brewing upsets and fan bases that’ve been dying to host a playoff game.

Love from Hagemeister Park in downtown Green Bay, here’s the latest Go Long Show. My co-host has worked in the front offices of these playoff teams, too.

* Patrick Mahomes vs. Tua Tagovailoa, and the long-term implications.

* What does Jim Schwartz have cookin’ for rookie C.J. Stroud? The environment will be electric in Houston.

* Packers-Cowboys. Does Monos see the same thing as Bob McGinn?

* Why Monos is in on the Los Angeles Rams. He sees some damning numbers concerning the upstart Lions.

* Weather could get funky in KC and Buffalo. Mike Tomlin finds ways to keep games close, too. But the Bills prepared for a game like this offense.

* The Philadelphia Eagles are a disaster at the worst time.

* Wink Martindale shows us all why the “mutual parting of ways” is never so eloquent.

* Pete Carroll became the last man at the party dancing. Good on Seattle for making a tough decision in the best interest of the franchise.

The Go Long Show is accessible here and everywhere you pod, including Apple and Spotify.

Audio is above. Video is below.

Thanks, all.

ICYMI, here is Brett Favre on Jordan Love, why he sees the Packers as a dangerous team, Cowboys memories, seeing “ghosts,” and what’s possibly be going through Mike McCarthy’s mind knowing one loss could prompt Jerry Jones to fire him:

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

Ty & Bob Pod: Why the Packers will win in Dallas Jan 11, 2024

Show notes

Trusty co-host Bob McGinn does not make predictions. He didn’t as my colleague at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and usually steers clear of grandiose prognostications here at Go Long.

Until now.

Yes, McGinn sees the seventh-seeded Green Bay Packers winning in Dallas this weekend. It’ll be close. He expects many points scored. But you won’t want to miss …

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

Happy Hour Replay: Will Stefon Diggs reach his breaking point? Jan 06, 2024

Show notes

Bills-Dolphins. This AFC East title game is loaded with drama from both points of view.

Stefon Diggs could combust for 150 yards and two touchdowns. To reach the Super Bowl, Buffalo unquestionably needs their star wide receiver — in full. This game could also serve as a tipping point for a messy offseason. Much is at stake.

Jordan Love vs. Justin Fields. Is the Green Bay Packers quarterback capable of overcoming a potential defensive calamity? Whereas last season’s Week 18 game at Lambeau Field felt like The End, this one could be The Beginning of something special. The grass was always green on the other side.

How should the Chicago Bears, armed with the No. 1 pick, proceed at quarterback? Fields has played better of late, but let’s not forget the tension from earlier this season. It was telling. And it’s worth noting the revamped power structure.

The Philadelphia Eagles’ sinking ship.

Miami’s injuries.

Aaron Rodgers theatrics.

Everything is discussed on our latest Happy Hour with Go Long subscribers from across the country. Thank you to everyone who carved out an hour and a half on a Friday night — sharp questions/thoughts the entire session. We’ll record many more of these into the offseason. What a great chance for us to hang out — often with a former NFL player, too. This episode, my podcast co-host Jim Monos joined the call and shared his always-excellent insight. You’ll get a front-office perspective on all the above.

Audio is available here at Go Long, and in the Apple and Spotify podcast feeds.

Paid subscribers always have access to join all Zoom Happy Hours.

Is there a player you would like to hang out with? Let me know at golongtd@gmail.com, and I’ll track him down.

Thanks, all.

Past Happy Hours:

* Our chat on "The McDermott Problem"

* Steve Calhoun (Jordan Love’s private QB coach)