Scouting the League

Front office changes have slowed but an out of the box move still gets us talking.  Why are scouting staff's about settled and what changes or announcements can be expected this week?  Plus - Pride Month - and what Rodrik has Pride in. Then - we get into the looming changes to the NFL off-season schedule expected in 2025.  What changes for players, coaches and scouts - and why does it matter.  Start planning now - cause it will be ...

All Star Games are an essential part of the scouting and draft process - even beyond the Senior Bowl and E/W Shrine Game.  We talk to Mike Rittelmann, the Director of Scouting and Player Personnel of the College Gridiron Showcase and discuss all things all star games.  Developing lists, what to look for, how to approach scouts, get connected and so much more.  Whether you are an aspiring scout, agent, or just love ball - this episo...

For all those that served and paid the ultimate price - we at Scouting the League - say Thank You.  No words can ever repay what was taken, but we take this day to remember your sacrifice.  Even with the holiday the NFL world keeps moving.  New hires in New England and Pittsburgh hit close to home for us - and an addition in Washington affects more that just the Commanders.  What does the change mean for BLESTO and what more can we...

The Pre-draft process is now over, guys are signed and working to make the squad - but that doesn't mean we have forgotten about the pre-draft process.  Making guys as fast, efficient and healthy as possible is all part of the equation for one of the best in the business, Pete Bommarito.  We have Pete on to talk all aspects of Bommarito Performance Systems, the technology behind the training, where it has come from and where it is ...

When people hear the word "Analytics" - many things come to mind.  So we asked Matt Manocherian, former NFL front officer staffer and now member of Sports Info Solutions to come on and discuss.  What is the history of analytics, how is it being used now and what is the future?  Is it helping or hurting the game? And why is it a growing part of every football team.  A fascinating conversation that covers so many facets of the growin...

Front Office changes have gone from an afterthought in the football world to headline making news as all things football dominate the sports pages (or screens!).  Neil Stratton has been tracking it all.  With Neil's service, Inside the League, at the forefront of all the breaking changes, we dive into all things scouting and front office.  New GM's in both 2023 and 2024, veteran scouts, evolving analytics and more.  We talk though ...

Covering the NFL Draft is a big deal, and being an understudy to The Godfather of the Draft, Mel Kiper Jr, may be even bigger.  Jordan Reid of ESPN comes on to talk his role, scouting process and how he does scouting his way.  What is it like to work with a guy like Mel Kiper Jr and how he attacks the process.  Plus we talk first round QB's, the offensive focus of the 2024 first round and favorite picks throughout the 7 round draft...

19 years in the Draft Room gives you some rare perspective on all things NFL Draft, so we asked Blake Beddingfield all the questions for Draft week 2024.  From this years QB class to what he learned drafting and scouting guys like Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, Jake Locker, Vince Young, Matt Leinart and more.  Value, playmaker or trade down when QB is not a must.  Where does value come from on Day 2 and how does the team navigate ...

Eric Edholm of NFL.com joins the program to talk his 2024 NFL Draft Mock 1.0.  While plenty has changed since its release, we dive into the questions each team is asking as they are sitting where they are.  Eric gives us some peeks into this week's Mock 2.0 and what he is hearing from across the NFL.  Philosophy changes, trades up and down and where guys fit; it is a lot of fun talking through it all.   Then - we discuss Eric's top...

Scouting in April can be a lot about headlines and rumors - when in reality, teams are still hard at work setting their final boards.  As a scout with the Atlanta Falcons I had the chance to take part in "top 30" visits, board prep, local days and more before heading to the road as the Midwest Area Scout.  Getting the board set involves an entire front office in additional to the coaching staff and multiple support staffers.  We di...

The NFL combine has seen times, seemingly, get faster and faster.  Yet we may not be getting the whole truth..... Tony Villani, founder of XPE sports goes unfiltered with his thoughts on NFL Draft 40 times and what is happening behind the scenes.  Prospects are getting faster but is everyone getting a fair shake?  Why and how are guys getting faster and how is the ShredMill helping?  What is the future of speed and agility training...

With all the focus on spring and alternate leagues to the NFL, the Canadian Football League seems to be forgotten, or unfairly lumped in.  With tradition over 100 years and plenty of reasons to look into the league (partial guarantees, nice salaries, development), the CFL can be a fantastic option for players looking to continue their playing career.  J.R. Davies has coached, scouted and been a part of the CFL for numerous years an...

When you have been with some of the powerhouse programs that Dave Shumate has been, you gain perspective on all things college football.  We unpack Nick Saban's comments on college football and what led to the landscape we have today.  Transactional athletes, NIL $ is king and a potential lack of development.  Who should be playing the biggest roles in both recruiting high school and recruiting the portal.  We have our opinions - d...

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been the epitome of stability and continuity, and as a result, have had consistent success year over year.  From BLESTO Scout to Area scout, Mark Gorscak got to witness it first hand.  We dive in with Mark to discuss what makes the Steelers special, how they operated over the years and what scouts today need to remember.  We talk NFL Combine, its role and how it has changed over the years.  And Scouting...

Wave 1 of NFL Free Agency is upon us and a lot of money is being spent in hopes of future success.  We discuss all things salary cap with a guy who was on the team side for almost 20 years, Nick Polk.  Cap vs Cash.  Dead Money.  Having a plan.  Sticking to your board.  Nick dives deep into what all is involved in negotiating, structuring and doing player contracts.  We discuss the growth of the salary cap and even get into a few de...

One of the most exciting, and sometimes impactful, weeks of the year is done - which just leads to the next cycle of the pre-draft process.  Neil and I jump into the combine week and talk highlights and rumors from Indy.  Plus - we go over all the 2024 ITL Seminar Award winners, giving scouts recognition they deserve, but rarely receive.  The Lions take away best draft but that is just one among many.  Tune it to hear if your team ...

Everyone is waiting on Justin Fields and the Bears to see where the 2024 Draft direction really goes - so we invited longtime NFL Scout and Chicago Bear Greg Gabriel to discuss this, and more.  What do we think of Justin Fields - can you win with him?  Where do the Bears go in the Draft and Free Agency?  Plus, a host of QBs including presumptive #1 Caleb Williams are discussed.  Where we disagree on JJ McCarthy, why Jayden Daniels ...

From 2019 to today the Transfer Portal has changed and evolved.  Oscar Monnier has seen it first hand at Northwestern, Oregon, Stanford, Duke and Texas A&M.  We dive into the portal, how it has changed, how it has to be managed, and some of the headaches involved.  Just a preview of the conversation Oscar and co-host, Neil Stratton, will have at next weeks Inside the League Symposium at the NFL Combine.  First hand insight into...