Notes from exclusive beat reporter interviews
Key takeaways from the first seven team previews
Adam Chernoff returned to Apple and Spotify earlier this month to begin previewing all 32 NFL teams - with a twist in format.
Each episode features an interview with a team beat reporter or staff member to help break down team expectations.
Here are key notes from each episode…
Did you know the RAS NFL service could begin this week?
The Hall of Fame Game kicks off on Thursday, August 1st. It is possible we will have the first release of the season in the next couple days.
We have the first 30 plays available for $595 and the full season of 75+ plays through the Super Bowl available for $1,195.
New England Patriots with Evan Lazar of Patriots.com (Apple) (Spotify)
70% / 30% internal divide amongst coaching staff on long term rebuild vs competitive now
“It would be crazy” to say that Mayo and Covington are going to run a defense as well as Belichick despite the individual talent on this roster
Expect Drake Maye to start 9 or 10 games this season - likely takeover date is late October
New York Jets with Joe Caporoso of Badlands TOJ (Apple) (Spotify)
“Most” of offseason storylines were overblown, Rodgers missing camp was the most overblown and least concerning
Offense is going to be much more run heavy than expected and will feature “a lot” of Breece Hall as the focal point, Rodgers will have many 24-27 attempt games
Reddick deal is critical to defensive success and is the main concern right now, he is the “safest bet” to lead the team in sacks
Buffalo Bills with Matt Parrino of Syracuse.com/SHOUT! (Apple) (Spotify)
Josh Allen has said there are “many things different about this offense” specifically the amount of quick, short passing and play action game
“My hunch is that Bobby Babich ends up calling plays on defense” but would not be surprised if it is a early to mid season switch
Main concern is the secondary early in the season, but McDermott coaches the position well
Cleveland Browns with Zac Jackson of TheAthletic (Apple) (Spotify)
Offense will be more “open” with extra usage of RPO’s and quick passing to get the ball out of Watson’s hands quickly
It’s a big deal losing OL coach Bill Callahan but expect both Conklin and Wills to be good Week 1, Chubb returns mid season to be fresh for end of year
Mike Vrabel is helping the defense with “big picture” stuff more so than being involved on a daily basis
Tennessee Titans with Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com (Apple) (Spotify)
There is a “different feel in the building” with Mike Vrabel no longer here, “the days of being a run first team that is dominated by a single running back are gone”
“I look around practice and see a team that will be far more aggressive throwing the football, but they need this young quarterback to settle in and make good decisions”
“I am expecting a bigger leap from the offense than the defense in the first 4-6 weeks of the season because of how different it will be and the pieces they have assembled”
Jacksonville Jaguars with Demetrius Harvey of Jacksonville.com (Apple) (Spotify)
“The defense is going to be much more aggressive under new DC Ryan Nielsen from what I have seen throughout OTA’s, mini camp and in talking with defensive coaches”
“I think the defense might take some time though, they are throwing players around in an open depth chart to see where they fit, it’s hard to tell how close they are to having this solved”
“There will be big changes on offense. The personnel is completely different. This offense is going to be look more like a vertical, stretch the field type of offense”
Indianapolis Colts with Destin Adams of AtoZ (Apple) (Spotify)
Shane Steichen “wants to pass the ball, he wants to get the ball in Richardson’s hands” this team is going to lean more on the pass game than the run game
All eyes are on Jelani Woods, because when you give Richardson a target with a catch radius like that, it can be a “cheat code” especially in the red zone
The coaches are “excited about” Charlie Patridge who has been one of the best DL coaches in college for a while, expectation for the team is to improve on the franchise record of 51 sacks set last year, especially with Latu added
New episodes will air every weekday morning at 5am EST now until February.
Coming this week: Denver, Houston, Pittsburgh, Arizona and Green Bay.