The Read-Optional

Smart Football. Explaining Why. NFL/CFB Newsletter and Podcast.

[Ollie Connolly @OllieConnolly]

Arizona's defense was an afterthought last season. But there was magic happening in the desert. Despite investing heavily in the defensive line, Jonathan Gannon should push ahead with last year's approach -- a distinctive style all his own

https://t.co/XrYFKys7Mp

[Ollie Connolly @OllieConnolly]

I see people are talking about the greatest ever high school players again. Enjoy Jadeveon Clowney; I’ve never evaluated a player like him. Laugh out loud funny.

[Ollie Connolly @OllieConnolly]

"Fuck, he's gonna hire Deion next year"

"Fuck, he's gonna make me pass on Arch Manning"

[Ollie Connolly @OllieConnolly]

Kind of sort of has the look like the owner made the call

[Ollie Connolly @OllieConnolly]

How many rounds away are we from Deion partnering up with the Saudis to start a rival league?

[Ollie Connolly @OllieConnolly]

"We really fucked up. I got you"

Makeup call incoming

[Ollie Connolly @OllieConnolly]

An absolutely baffling no-call on Pat Surtain

[Ollie Connolly @OllieConnolly]

Steve Belichick officially joining UNC, as reported here. Expectation is he will be the successor in Chapel Hill.

One key reason Belichick returned to college was to work with his son. Details below👇

https://t.co/96aep9OcoB

[Ollie Connolly @OllieConnolly]

I wrote about Bill Belichick at North Carolina — a real sentence I just typed without blacking out.

Making the jump to college started with a book club, and ended with an unprecedented decision. On the why, how and what comes next.

https://t.co/96aep9OcoB

[Ollie Connolly @OllieConnolly]

Update: Belichick has agreed to become the next UNC coach. Belichick handed the school a 400 page “organizational bible” with structure, payment plans, staffing choices etc. decisions on whether to commit with UNC. He is expected to know their decision within 24 hours

[Ollie Connolly @OllieConnolly]

Sure sounds like he’s tailored his recruiting pitch…

Belichick’s initial pitch to UNC — the one that reportedly “blew them away” — included a comprehensive overview of an high school to NFL pipeline, and an NFL model (as laid out here) working back to the college level

[Ollie Connolly @OllieConnolly]

Per sources, I’m told Bill Belichick’s negotiations with North Carolina include a guarantee that Stephen Belichick will be named the school’s head coach in waiting. UNC is open to that guarantee. Discussions are not a bid to gain leverage for NFL offers and BB is open to the move

[Ollie Connolly @OllieConnolly]

How do you miss this???

[Ollie Connolly @OllieConnolly]

How can you not love Anthony Richardson??? A Mt Rushmore broadcast-cam QB. You have no idea where the ball is going to wind up when it pans -- not sure he always does either

[Ollie Connolly @OllieConnolly]

You cannot play football anymore.

[Ollie Connolly @OllieConnolly]

The Bears offense has the shittiest vibes of any unit in the league. Receivers lollygagging routes. Receivers quitting on routes. Players bailing mid-play. No one cares about the QB being crushed. Even on positive plays, the sideline doesn't seem like it cares

[Ollie Connolly @OllieConnolly]

Deebo Samuel grabbed the neck of long snapper Taybor Pepper and swiped at kicker Jake Moody after a third missed field goal

[Ollie Connolly @OllieConnolly]

Two years ago, the average pistol rate in the NFL was 3%. Five teams had a pistol rate over 5% – and two over 10%.

This season, the average rate is 7%. 15 teams are up over 5%, with eight at over 10%

Wrote this in 2022 on why the pistol would be back👇
https://t.co/k0IB9fgb4c

[Ollie Connolly @OllieConnolly]

Rodgers on the 2-6 Jets

[Ollie Connolly @OllieConnolly]

Such a fun matchup between Washington and Chicago today. Eberflus is one of the most tendency based coaches in the league; Kingsbury has roasted tendencies this season. Will be interesting to see how Eberflus switches things up with Gordon out https://t.co/Dpxi1Rbqy9