Go Long Podcast

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Drew Bledsoe lived the beauty and pain of pro football Sep 15, 2023

Show notes

Football gave Drew Bledsoe so much.

Memories and friendships that’ll last forever. Glory. He’s arguably most responsible for completely waking up the New England Patriots franchise in the early 90s.

Football also tested the former NFL great. With pain… so much pain.

Go Long first chatted at length with Bledsoe shortly after launching in late 2020. Bledsoe opened up then on everything from the Mo Lewis knockout shot to just how pissed he was at Bill Belichick for not giving him his job back to that “bittersweet” Super Bowl win over St. Louis. (You can read Drew Bledsoe, Unfiltered here.)

This week felt like a perfect time to touch base again with Bledsoe again.

Always honest, always introspective, the four-time Pro Bowler shared many new stories. He relives the time he bruised his liver in high school and Bruce Smith whiplashed him as an NFL rookie. Bledsoe admits he still hasn’t watched the Patriots’ Super Bowl XXXI loss to the Packers. He dives deep into the power of the sport itself, and how it connects players from polar-opposite backgrounds.

And, by God, did he love Buffalo. Drew Bledsoe really, really loved Buffalo.

Audio of our conversation is above, video is below and the written transcript is right here. If you prefer to listen within Apple, simply sync up your account by selecting “Listen On” up by the audio player within this post.

Thanks, everyone.

Enjoy.

Go Long is committed to longform storytelling in pro football. Miss our 2023 plans? Catch up here, with testimonials.

We’re completely powered by you. To receive all stories and all podcasts — including “FAVRE” and the “Ty & Bob Pod” — new readers can upgrade here:

Full conversation with four-time Pro Bowler Drew Bledsoe…

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Ty & Bob Pod: Is this obliteration a sign of things to come for the Green Bay Packers? Sep 13, 2023

Show notes

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.golongtd.com

Welcome to the refurbished “Ty & Bob Pod” with our longtime scribe — and Pro Football Hall of Famer — Bob McGinn. We started this whole podcast thing a decade ago as teammates at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and brought it to Go Long through the 2021 season.

After a year hiatus, it’s back.

With a twist.

Once more, we’ll continue to take a c…

Go Long Show: The Buffalo Bills lose to... Zach Wilson Sep 12, 2023

Show notes

Aaron Rodgers went down. The hype surrounding this game faded with him.

Yet, it didn’t matter. The Buffalo Bills’ offense was anemic. Josh Allen was dreadful. The energy throughout Sean McDermott’s team was reminiscent of the last time we saw Buffalo in that listless playoff loss to the Bengals.

We recorded an episode of the “Go Long Show” immediately after the Jets’ 22-16 overtime win late Monday night.

The replay audio is above with the video below. (Also, subscribers can listen right in Apple if you prefer. Instructions are here, and all you need to do is Select “Listen on” above. From the drop-down menu, click “Copy link.”)

Buffalo has work to do and — without Rodgers — so will that Jets offense.

Miss our first Monday morning column? Here’s a look at Jordan Love’s debut.

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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

FAVRE: An unforgettable NFL moment Sep 08, 2023

Show notes

Episode 1 of “FAVRE” is live. Subscribers can listen to the full hour and a half above or watch the video below.

We get into plenty….

* Obviously, many of you would like to hear what he says about the accusations levied against him in Mississippi. He has denied wrongdoing and has not been criminally charged. To the extent he can, Favre touches on the case. (Through all developments, he will fill you in.)

* Most of this first episode ties the present to the past. Blow-by-blow, Favre relives a surreal 2008. From the crushing loss to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship… to retiring… to unretiring… to clawing his way to the Minnesota Vikings… to, finally, reaching a peace with the Green Bay Packers. You’ll hear stories he hasn’t shared before. To this day, it all boggles the mind.

* Why did he hold that retirement presser? What feeling was deep in his gut upon getting on the flight home? When did Favre get the “itch” to play again? This was an unforgettable moment in Packers and NFL history. Favre lifts up the curtain.

* Jordan Love and the 2023 Packers. Did Green Bay make the correct decision? (He believes so.) Also, how does his abrupt entry into pro football back in ‘92 vs. the Cincinnati Bengals compare to Love?

* His take on quarterback play today.

* His ever-evolving relationship with the late, great Ted Thompson. Believe it or not, back in the 90s, they were drinking buddies.

* How many concussions did Favre endure? One chilling conversation with Dr. Bennet Omalu changed his perspective. He offers his thoughts on Tua Tagovailoa into 2023. There’s a darker side to pro football, as Favre knows.

Thank you, everyone. Here’s our post introducing the show, icymi.

Also, subscribers can listen right in Apple as well if you prefer. Instructions are here, and all you need to do is Select “Listen on” above. From the drop-down menu, click on “Copy link.”

As a reminder: VIP subscribers will have access to all future recordings and will be able to ask Favre anything you’d like.

Here is the 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

Podcast: NFC Preview Sep 06, 2023

Show notes

The AFC was straightforward. It’s a conference loaded at quarterback.

The NFC is objectively fun. Nearly every team can talk itself into going for it in 2023.

Here on the “Go Long Show” with co-host Jim Monos, we examine which teams can realistically box with odds-on favorites Philadelphia and San Francisco. GM Joe Schoen detailed to Go Long why the New York Giants believe in Daniel Jones — is he right? Could the stars align for Jones and the Giants to contend? In the NFC North, the Detroit Lions have spent three years meticulously building a team capable of playing with anyone — seeking a specific DNA 1 through 53—and the Jordan Love Era finally arrives.

We both like Green Bay’s young movement on offense. Love is ready to introduce himself to the world.

Enjoy, and Thank You. Icymi, we laid out the 2023 plan of attack at Go Long this week. Let’s have some fun.

The “Ty and Bob Pod” with Bob McGinn returns. We’ll talk NFL each week. Soon, I’ll also be announcing a third show.

You can access all podcasts right here at Go Long, as well as Apple, Spotify, YouTube and everywhere you listen.

There’s one more ‘23 Kickoff story dropping by the end of the week. I traveled to Pittsburgh to chat at length with quarterback Kenny Pickett.

* You can count on K.J. Osborn

* Why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers believe

* The Resurrection: ‘I want to bring championships to New York’

* DNA of the Lions, Part I: Vanquishing 'bad juju'

* DNA of the Lions, Part II: The obsessed ones

* Rise of the Jaguars

* 'The Problem' is The Future

* The Vikings changed the culture. Now what?

* ‘I won’t be denied’

* You'll see Nyheim Hines again

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

Podcast: AFC Preview Sep 05, 2023

Show notes

The 2023 NFL season is here.

Hallelujah.

I’ll be sharing loads of big news over the coming days at Go Long. Ecstatic for everything ahead. Until then, let’s preview each conference on the flagship podcast with co-host Jim Monos. First up: the AFC. Mahomes. Burrow. Allen. Lawrence. It’s an old-school, Mortal Kombat exercise in “Choose Your Fighter.”

You can access all podcasts right here at Go Long, as well as Apple, Spotify, YouTube and everywhere you listen. It’s a good time to add the Go Long Podcast to your rotation, too, with two more shows on the horizon. (And microphones that are a million times better.)

Thanks, everyone.

Subscribers can access everything at Go Long. All stories, all podcasts, all Zoom Happy Hours. Thank you for supporting our independent journalism.

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

Should the Bills be concerned with their no-show in Pittsburgh? Aug 23, 2023

Show notes

It was only a matter of time. Stefon Diggs is back in the news with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith dropping quite a nugget.

The Buffalo Bills wide receiver denied that he wants out of Buffalo. That’s expected. So, how should we process this all? (Let’s not take every comment from every player/coach as gospel, either.)

Also, the Buffalo Bills’ starters were embarrassed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in their 2023 dress rehearsal. We decipher what matters and what doesn’t with co-host Jim Monos. There are a few concerns the Bills must monitor.

Jonathan Taylor wants OUT. Will he get his wish? It’s complicated.

Also, we discuss Joe Schoen. The New York Giants general manager was born for this job, and I’ll have a longform story soon at Go Long for subscribers.

You can listen to the audio above, watch the video below or access the Go Long Podcast anywhere you get pods. We record live at Fattey Beer Company in Hamburg, NY.

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

Hannibal Navies wants to change lives Aug 17, 2023

Show notes

Hannibal Navies found his reason to live after a nine-year NFL career and is doing everything he can to help other players find their purpose.

The longtime NFL linebacker who spent time with Carolina, Green Bay, Cincinnati and San Francisco relives all of the highs and lows with Go Long.

You can listen to the audio above, watch the video below or access the Go Long Podcast wherever you get your pods, including Apple and Spotify.

Navies is an open book on everything…

* He was 13 years old when his father died and saw Dad take his last breath. The moment grew to define Hannibal Navies. (Similar to what Dallas Clark experienced losing his mother.) Football became a “guiding light” in the mean streets of Oakland, as he was forced to grow up. Fast.

* Navies details how he gravitated toward the violence of playing linebacker… with vivid memories of his best collision at the position. (The hit required smelling salts.)

* Fourth and 26. This gut-wrenching play in the divisional round of the 2003 playoffs will, of course, forever live in Packers infamy. Navies was sent on a blitz and still thinks about the play to this day. He knows that Packers team had a chance to win the Super Bowl.

* His health today. He has a herniated disc in his back and a bulging disc in his neck.

* How he found a true “passion” and “purpose” in life after football. He’s helping other players adjust to life after football with a strong emphasis on mental health. He’s now the vice president of Development United Charitable/Athletes Charitable and uses all of his own ups and downs in life to help anyone who’ll listen. To him, it’s not about reinventing yourself. Rather “re-developing” yourself.

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

Believe in the Detroit Lions Aug 14, 2023

Show notes

Dan Campbell is mastering what so many coaches spend their entire lives never understanding.

You cannot manually stick that syringe of motivation into a player.

Professional football players must be innately obsessed. Campbell knows exactly what he’s looking for with GM Brad Holmes in building this team. Miss our two-part deep dive on the Lions?

* DNA of the Lions, Part I: Vanquishing 'bad juju'

* DNA of the Lions, Part II: The obsessed ones

We now take the conversation to the podcast with co-host Jim Monos.

Audio’s above with video below.

The Lions were broken both physically and spiritually by Matt Patricia. How did Campbell put a team together in his vision? Is the hype for real? You can listen to the Go Long Podcast everywhere you get your podcasts, including Apple, Spotify and, of course, right at GoLongTD.com.

Thanks, everyone.

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

D.C. gets swampy Aug 10, 2023

Show notes

Players apparently are not happy with Eric Bieniemy’s intensity at practice. Ron Rivera didn’t exactly cool the flames.

Wasn’t the elimination of Dan Snyder supposed to eliminate drama?

We dive into it all on the Go Long Podcast. Co-host Jim Monos survived an ownership change himself in Buffalo and shares his insight. We may already be seeing those in power scrambling for the life rafts. That’s what happens in the NFL.

Also, we get into Johnny Manziel’s wild rise and fall and Monos looks back at what it’s like to cut a player this time of year.

You can listen to the audio above or watch the video below from Fattey Beer Company in Hamburg, NY.

Our 2023 Kickoff series of features continues Friday A.M. with a penetrating look at the Detroit Lions, and how this team transformed from Matt Patricia-to-Dan Campbell. The secret’s in the DNA.

This feature will only be available to subscribers.

Thank you for joining our community.

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

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