Between the Tackles

Samir Suleiman is a former Vice President in the NFL, who worked for nearly three decades for the league office, Jacksonville Jaguars, St. Louis Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers. Suleiman has had an incredible depth and breadth of knowledge of the business side of football and the X’s and O’s given his diverse background negotiating high-profile contracts, navigating the ever-changing salary cap and engaging on the pro scouting side of the NFL universe.

Episode Highlights:

(2:45): What should Tom Brady, Klint Kubiak and the Las Vegas Raiders do with disgruntled Pro Bowl pass rusher Maxx Crosby? What would be a fair trade package for him?

(3:15): Suleiman shares a fun behind-the-scenes story of former Steelers All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown during a tumultuous time.

(4:35) Is it smart business for Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman to trade star wide receiver A.J. Brown or should he keep quarterback Jalen Hurts’ top weapon? And what would be a fair trade compensation for Brown? Should Roseman hold out for what the New York Jets received for defensive lineman Quinnen Williams when they made a deal with Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys before the trade deadline last season?

(7:25) Will the NFL penalize the New England Patriots and Mike Vrabel for tampering after the head coach admitted at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last week that he regularly texts Brown?

(8:30) What is the biggest misconception about NFL Free Agency? Do NFL fans think Madden and fantasy football are real life?

(11:00) How do NFL teams set a free agency budget? Who creates it? How much wiggle room is there to maneuver? How does Oliver Twist enter the analysis?

(13:35): Debunking the NFL salary cap myth. What does “cash over cap” really mean?

(15:00) Which NFL team has been historically cheap when paying free agents?

(17:15): Will the NFL salary cap reach a half billion dollars soon? A mention of Stephen Ross selling one percent of the Miami Dolphins, which has a valuation of $12.5 billion.

(18:15): The art of the negotiation during free agency, tricks used by agents and who was the shrewdest negotiator that Suleiman has dealt with?

(23:00) Can strong-willed NFL coaches (like San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan) sometimes bust your free agent budget?

(26:30): A deep dive into this year’s free agent quarterback class highlighted by Packers quarterback Malik Willis. Which former free agent does Willis remind Suleiman of? Did Colts general manager Chris Ballard make a smart move by placing the transition tag on injured quarterback Daniel Jones?

(29:10) Are the New York Jets and free agent quarterback Kyler Murray a good fit? More specifically, are Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich and Murray a good fit. Suleiman provides behind-the-scenes intel on working with Reich at the Carolina Panthers.

(32:00) What really happened inside the Carolina Panthers building when the braintrust drafted Bryce Young over C.J. Stroud with the No. 1 overall pick in 2023 NFL Draft?

(34:25) A closer look at free agent Trey Hendrickson and whether the Cincinnati Bengals are smarter than we think.

(37:30): The free agent running back market including Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker of the Seattle Seahawks and Jaguars running back Travis Etienne. Is it worth it to pay big money at that position?

(39:00) Closer look at the Jets decision to place the franchise tag on running back Breece Hall. Did Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey make a mistake by not trading Hall to Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs for a fourth-round pick before the trade deadline last season? How does a history lesson on former Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell enter the equation?

(43:15): Is Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alex Pierce worth the money that he will command on the open market?

(46:40): How has NIL changed college athletic departments? What’s the future for college football programs as more former NFL general managers, executives and front office personnel migrate to that world?

(47:45) Why are NFL teams more willing to absorb big dead money salary cap charges for quarterback now than ever before? The Denver Broncos did precisely that with Russell Wilson. It looks like the Miami Dolphins will do it with Tua Tagovailoa too.

(52:20) Suleiman shares a powerful and emotional story on a recent hunting trip in Africa (Mozambique) that will leave you in awe.

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With the NFL Scouting Combine in the books, Burg and Manish analyze some “winners” and “losers” among the draft prospects who participated in Indianapolis. The truth is that savvy NFL teams won’t be significantly impacted by the so-caller risers and fallers during the week of on-field drills.

The guys kick off with the best Buy-Low prospects who present an opportunity for smart general managers, coaches and executives to pounce on at the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh in April.

Highlights:

(3:00) Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson: Will a slow 40-yard dash hurt his draft stock? Will the guy who some draft pundits would be the third RB off the board after Notre Dame ball carries Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Prive have to wait until Day 3 to get scooped up? Will a smart offensive mind like Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid or Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell take advantage and get a dual-threat steal who has terrific hands as pass catcher.

(6:00) Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields: He has elite size and strength, but will his slow 40 time scare teams away? Fields shined at the Senior Bowl, but did not look impressive in gauntlet field drills.

(8:00) Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston: The two-year starter for the Huskies was questioned for not testing at the Combine. He did look fluid in receiver drills, but his college tape is exceptional. Boston was great at contested catches and a red-zone threat. The guys had Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider scooping up Boston with the No. 32 pick in Round 1 in the first Mock Draft. Will some team now get a steal in Round 2?

(11:00) Oklahoma outside linebacker and edge R Mason Thomas: His measurables are not impressive. But are his short arms enough for him to slide out of the first round? The college tape is incredible. Mason has drawn comparisons to former Sooners star pass rusher Nik Bonitto.

(14:00) Alabama offensive tackle Kayden Proctor: This mountain of a man looked pedestrian in field drills. But the college tape tells a different story of a guy with quick feet and great agility. His pass protection skills and run blocking are coveted among smart NFL teams. There are whispers that Proctor could dominate if he moved inside to guard. Would Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman select the former Crimson standout with the No. 23 pick in Round 1 to improve his aging offensive line?

(16:15) Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa: Some people were not happy that Mauigoa decoded not to compete in positional drills at the Combine. He’ll wait for the University of Miami Pro Day later this month. But his skill set and durability are highly coveted in NFL circles. He is still expected to be a Top 10 pick.

(19:30) Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate: Much was made about the controversy surrounding Tate’s 40-yard dash time. He officially clocked in at 4.52 seconds before ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter relayed that some general managers and executives recorded a time closer to 4.45-4.47 seconds. Regardless, it would be a surprise if Tate were not the first wideout drafted. Our first mock draft had the Cleveland Browns and new head coach Todd Monken taking Tate with the No. 6 pick.

(21:00) The guys wrap up with a handful of players who opened eyes with excellent measurables, speed and on-field drills like Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, who is an athletic freak that we mocked to Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen. Other winners were speedy Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, UCONN wide receiver Skyler Bell and home run threat Arkansas running back Mike Washington, Jr.

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Burg and Manish kick off their first NFL mock draft with loads of surprises after Tom Brady’s Las Vegas Raiders take Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza with first overall pick. The New York Jets and head coach Aaron Glenn land the first of two defensive studs in the first round. Todd Monken’s Cleveland Browns make a pair of franchise-changing selections. Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys address their biggest weaknesses with both of their first-round picks. The Rams shock the world with their second selection. The Philadelphia Eagles prepare for life without a future Hall of Famer in the trenches. The Kyle Shanahan’s San Francisco 49ers foil Joe Brady, Josh Allen and the rest of Bills Mafia with a trade to land a potential star wide receiver. There’s no end to the twists and turns on offense and defense in this first mock draft in the run-up to the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh in April.

Where will future stars like Jeremiah Love, David Bailey, Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs, Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, Jordyn Tyson, Kenyon Sadiq, Omar Cooper, Jr., Denzel Boston, Francis Mauigoa, Reuben Bain, Akheem Mesidor, Spencer Fano, Mansoor Delane, Jermod McCoy, Olaivavega Ione, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and others land? Will Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson get picked on Day 1 of the draft? Did the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots get the steals of the draft near the end of the round?

Will quarterback-needy teams like the Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins pull the trigger or wait until a loaded 2027 draft class that includes Texas star Arch Manning, Oregon’s Donte Moore and Texas Tech’s Brendan Sorsby?

Which offensive linemen, cornerbacks and linebackers will shine?

A deep dive with fascinating nuggets from top to bottom on the most coveted NFL prospects at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on both sides of the ball.

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Legendary NFL reporter John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL on X) joins the pod to discuss his groundbreaking documentary “PVIL Story: Separate but Equal?” on segregation in Texas high school football (www.maddogentertainment.tv) before talking about the state of the Houston Texans and his claim that he will streak through the streets naked if quarterback C.J. Stroud is traded.

A powerful and entertaining conversation with one of the giants in NFL media over the past half century. A must listen!

Highlights of the episode:

• McClain kicks off the show with behind-the-scenes stories about his new documentary about the history of the Prairie View Interscholastic League (2:48). The veteran scribe shares tales about talking to Pro Football Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson (6:00) in Key Largo, Fla., about his memories of playing high school football in Texas during a seminal moment in American history. Johnson speaks openly about the biases of some and welcoming arms of others during a pivotal time.

• McClain touches on powerful moments in the documentary that depicted the challenges for black football players like future Hall of Famer “Mean” Joe Greene of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who overcame the hardships in the PVIL to thrive at the highest level (11:30).

• McClain talks about Ken Houston, the legend of Eldridge Dickey and impact of thriving during the Jim Crow Era (14:30). Hall of Famers Warren Moon and Eric Dickerson share the importance of the PVIL players amid the Civil Rights landscape in the documentary.

• McClain transitions to discuss the state of the Houston Texans (27:19) under general manager Nick Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans. Did the Texans blow their chance of getting to the Super Bowl after C.J. Stroud’s poor playoff performance against the New England Patriots?

• Speaking of Stroud, McClain doubles down on his proclamation that he will run naked through the streets of Houston (Kirby Drive) if the Texans actually trade away the embattled Stroud this offseason! (30:33). Why did McClain decide to announce that? And what did his wife think of the idea of him streaking in his birthday suit? You won’t to miss his answer.

• McClain talks about running back Joe Mixon’s mysterious injury (36:30), Nick Caley’s first year as offensive coordinator, the offensive line struggles, Matt Burke’s elite defense and Derek Stingley’s emergence as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.

• McClain, who will cover his 50th NFL training camp this summer, shares a camp memory about prankster Mike Rozier that will make you laugh (46:30) and wraps up with a question on everyone’s mind: Does the Baylor alum and Waco native know Chip and Joanna Gaines of HGTV’s Fixer Upper and Magnolia fame?

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Twitter/X: @Tacklespod, @MMehtaSports, @BurgTheGoalie

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Veteran NFL reporter Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal (bostonsportsjournal.com) joins the pod to break down the New England Patriots’ magical Super Bowl run with Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel, and analyze pressing topics this offseason. Before Bedard (@GregABedard on X) dives into the Patriots, the former Sports Illustrated scribe opines on the hot-button topic centering on the NFL’s recent arbitration victory over the NFL Players Association’s annual public release of player report cards (2:00). Bedard pulls no punches when criticizing “clueless” NFL owners. He then provides in-depth analysis of the Patriots 2025 campaign and what lies ahead this offseason.

Highlights of the episode:

• Analyzing rookie left tackle Will Campbell’s struggles against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX (5:25) and whether moving him to guard makes sense. Can you win a championship with him?

• Which left tackle the Patriots were targeting in NFL free agency last season, but missed on (11:05). Was New England's offensive line struggles against Mike MacDonald's defense an eye-opener that can't be ignored?

• Will the Patriots cut Stefon Diggs (13:58) and trade for Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown? (17:40)

• A free agent tight end and offensive lineman to keep an eye on, including poaching a former first-round pick of the New York Jets (24:05)

• The Washington Commanders cautionary tale from last season that might impact how the Patriots brain trust operates in the next few months (18:30)

• Ranking the Patriots biggest offseason needs (20:52)

• Will young star cornerback Christian Gonzalez get a contract extension? (33:15)

• Breaking down Drake Maye’s second season and how to strategically build around him (38:00)

• Are the Patriots shoo-ins to win the AFC East in 2026? (46:15)

• Mike Vrabel’s secret sauce in his first year as Patriots head coach (50:32)

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