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Nov 2, 2023 | 
the33rdteam.com | Bill Polian |Bill Hall
Recently, Jeffrey Miller, an NFL vice president for communications and policy, made a statement to the media about the so-called “hip-drop tackle.”Miller said it was a dangerous technique and 25 percent more likely to cause an injury than an ordinary tackle. The statement neither defined the hip-drop tackle nor cited the source of the injury causality data. Like most in the football community, I was unfamiliar with the issue Miller raised.
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Oct 3, 2023 | 
the33rdteam.com | Bill Polian |Bill Hall
I read and heard recently a lengthy “instant analysis” of the three rookie starting quarterbacks in the NFL this year: C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans, Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts and Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers. During my long career in the game, I learned about the evaluation and development of quarterbacks from numerous coaches, scouts and GMs with whom I worked or against whom I competed.
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Sep 25, 2023 | 
the33rdteam.com | Bill Polian |Bill Hall
Some years ago, Bill Parcells told me that regarding the types of players available to us in the NFL, “We are captives to what the colleges send us.”I have immense respect for Bill’s team-building and player-evaluation skills. His extraordinary coaching ability is obvious to all, but many missed what a terrific general manager he was. When he uttered that phrase, I immediately noted it and always factored it into scouting evaluations and team-building.
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Sep 23, 2023 | 
tinyurl.com | Paul Domowitch |Bill Hall |Bill Polian
Given that the Philadelphia Eagles are 2-0 and averaging a point more per game than they did last year when they finished third in the league in scoring, it might seem a little silly to sound alarm bells about the early performance of the Eagles’ offense. They’re averaging 29.5 points per game. Their quarterback, Jalen Hurts, has a 71.5 completion percentage. They’re second in the league in rushing after amassing 259 yards on the ground in a 34-28 win over the Minnesota Vikings last week. Problems?
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Aug 29, 2023 | 
the33rdteam.com | Bill Polian |Bill Hall
NFL rosters are cut to 53 players on the active regular-season roster and teams begin establishing their 16-man practice squads on Tuesday and Wednesday. One of the most challenging jobs a general manager has is letting players know they have been released from the team. Judging a player’s ability to make and help your club is a massive part of the general manager’s duties.
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Aug 24, 2023 | 
the33rdteam.com | Bill Polian |Bill Hall
For an NFL general manager and his staff, the last week of preseason games leading up to the formation of the opening-day roster is a hectic time. Colloquially known as the “cut to 53” or “final cut,” it consists of a number of different personnel decisions dictated by somewhat complicated rules. The final cut occurs on Aug. 29 at noon ET. At that time, a club must reduce its active roster to 53 players.
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Aug 21, 2023 | 
the33rdteam.com | Bill Parcells |Bill Hall
Offensive line is probably the easiest position to scout in football. However, developing those players is more challenging. Scouting Offensive LinemenFirst, let’s discuss the scouting part. When it comes to offensive linemen, people have success scouting them because they show you the things — or most of the things — they’re going to be asked to do in pro football. You see it right there on the film and in practice. With other positions, you don’t always get that.
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Aug 16, 2023 | 
the33rdteam.com | Bill Polian |Bill Hall
There are multiple issues the general manager must confront during the preseason. Some are obvious while some escape public and media discussion. The most obvious is roster construction, which includes the final cut to 53 players. That cut follows the third preseason game. Along with the cut comes the waiver claiming period, where a club can “claim” from among the cuts of other clubs if they believe a player upgrades them. The final step in this process is practice squad construction.
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Aug 4, 2023 | 
tinyurl.com | Paul Domowitch |Bill Hall |Bill Polian
Thirty years after Don Coryell presented him for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Dan Fouts will complete the circle Saturday and do the same for his late coach and friend. “You wouldn’t be talking to me right now if not for Don,’’ Fouts said earlier this week. “So many things in my life and career can be traced back to that day Don walked into the room in San Diego in 1978. “When he was hired, I couldn’t imagine it would have the impact it did.
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Aug 4, 2023 | 
the33rdteam.com | Bill Polian |Bill Hall
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is unhappy. With one season left on his contract, he wants two things. First, a new contract. Second, the new contract reflects his and his fellow running backs’ desire for larger monetary value than the free-agent market dictates. Naturally, this has become a media story at a time when substantive NFL news is in short supply.
