Podcast Ep. 36: The need for NFL development league

It was a simpler time when Matt Cassel (pictured above) was a below-average backup quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. Now, he’s starting Monday Night Football games for the Dallas Cowboys and bringing the position of NFL quarterback to a whole new low.

On this week’s episode of the podcast, host Keegan Matheson discusses the great shortage of competent quarterback play in the NFL today, and how a developmental league would be a substantial help. Once a player is relegated to the role of backup, or can’t latch on with an NFL team in their rookie year, where is there to learn?

Along with your weekly Studs & Duds, we look at Johnny Manziel, you’re new new new Cleveland Browns starter. The Browns, if you haven’t noticed, are a poorly run football organization.

All that and more— Subscribe and enjoy!

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TBP Podcast 15: AFC North & AFC East predictions

In episode number 15 of The Backup Punter Podcast, host Keegan Matheson takes a look at the AFC North and AFC East in part one of the 2015 NFL season preview. Each team is discussed, notable additions or subtractions are highlighted and Keegan gives his prediction for where each team will finish.

The tough AFC North may bury the Cleveland Browns, barring a miracle from Johnny Manziel, but how will the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals shake out in the playoff race? Will Andy Dalton get the football to A.J. Green often enough to reach his fantasy football ceiling, and how can DeAngelo Williams help your fatasy team out of the gate?

In the AFC East, the stripped-down and controversial New England Patriots won’t skip a beat. Of course they wont! Can the Miami Dolphins dethrone Tom Brady and the Pats, and how will their backfield shake out between LaMar Miller and Jay Ajayi? In Buffalo, can Rex Ryan drag enough out of his quarterback, perhaps Tyrod Taylor, to allow for his elite defense to shine? What about Geno Smith and the J-E-T-S?

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Report: Hard Knocks favorites include Bills, Texans, Redskins

The NFL is expected to announce the next team to be featured on Hard Knocks in early June, and it appears that the Cleveland Browns are now out of the running.  Given Johnny Manziel‘s recovery, which surely wouldn’t benefit from the show, that’s a good thing.  According to the report from ESPN Cleveland, NFL Films have narrowed in on three likely finalists in the Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans and Washington Redskins.

NFL Films wants an organization that is independently willing to open themselves to the show, which is rare.  Outside of an expansion team or bottom-dweller looking to re-establish their market, I have a difficult time seeing any benefit in appearing on the show.

The Washington Redskins offer little interest to me as the frustrating Robert Griffin storyline would surely occupy the majority of screen time.  DeSean Jackson may be good for the odd sound-byte at wide receiver while a look behind the scenes at Jay Gruden could interest some, but I would be watching this team for the wrong reasons.  I would tune in solely to see the disarray that the Redskins are, and without a true young star, that’s not enough.

Houston is a team that deserves more love than they get, and certainly warrant a look.  J.J. Watt would be the main draw in Texas, while the uncertain young career of Jadeveon Clowney would bring great television.  Vince Wilfork‘s attempt at a career resurgence outside of New England along with their quarterback question mark also generates interest, while Arian Foster remains one of the league’s most intriguing off-field players.

Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills are the clear big fish here, though.  Ryan would carry the show himself, but Buffalo has been at the centre of some of this offseason’s biggest moves.  After dealing Kiko Alonso to the Philadelphia Eagles for stud running back LeSean McCoy then signing the polarizing Percy Harvin, the content potential is rich.

Like Houston, the Bills are also a lower-popularity team that could be on the verge of a breakthrough.  Each team offers a quarterback competition, as well, which is the ultimate NFL buzz-makes.  Give me either, but please, just don’t give me the Redskins.

Podcast Ep. 6: 2015 NFL Draft top-10 storylines

Two days until the 2015 NFL Draft, football fans.  On the final episode of The Backup Punter Podcast before the big night in Chicago, host Keegan Matheson runs through the top-10 storylines that you should be watching for.

• 10:  Draft Grades:  They’re crap!
• 9:  The Buffalo Bills cannot be forgotten
• 8:  Get ready for a run on pass-rushers
• 7:  Adrian Peterson: Should he stay or should he go?
  ……
  ……

As always, follow along on Twitter and Facebook and feel free to reach out any time before or after the draft with questions about your teams and the headlines that are sure to surprise.  Be sure to subscribe on iTunes and Stitcher, and you’ll be the first to enjoy the podcast each week.

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Eagles, Chargers reportedly eyeing multi-team Mariota deal

Marcus Mariota is the domino that will determine the entire makeup of round one in the 2015 NFL Draft.  The Tennessee Titans will likely hold an open market for the second overall pick, and earlier today, Tony Pauline of TFY Draft Insiders reported that one potential scenario could involve a three-team blockbuster.

According to his sources, both the Philadelphia Eagles and San Diego Chargers are looking in to teaming with the Cleveland Browns as part of a three-way trade to secure the second overall pick.  It’s a bit much to wrap your head around, but it would look something like this:

• PHI –or– SD gets:  2nd OVR pick from Tennessee
• CLE gets:  PHI or SD’s 1st, plus much more
• TEN gets:  CLE’s two 1st round picks, plus much more

Well, could you imagine!  It’s a dangerous game to read anything in to the reports you’ll see over the coming week, but the continued flow of chatter around San Diego has to mean something.  This is also the first time that Philadelphia has popped back into the conversation in such a prominent way, as well.  Do you mean to tell me that Chip Kelly isn’t satisfied with Tim Tebow?

Further complicating this entire scenario is the fact that Cleveland is likely interested in Mariota, too.  Holding the 12th and 19th picks in this draft, they hold more power than any team, and will have a multitude of options to choose from come April 30th.  Quite frankly, unless they are blown away by an offer, I’d like to see them stand pat and grab either a nose tackle, edge rusher, tackle or wide receiver.

So, take this for what its worth, and don’t allow yourself to assume that Jameis Winston is a set-in-stone first overall pick.  If the Buccaneers surprise by selecting Mariota, the second overall pick will only get more interesting.  The closer we get to this draft, the more certain I am that a trade will blow it up.