Category: Football

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SUPER BOWL XL PREVIEW | NFL COACHING CAROUSEL | THAT’S MY QB | WE’RE JUST HERE SO WE DON’T GET FINED

Super Bowl LX Preview

Running It Back Super Bowl XL Preview!

It’s Media Week 2026, and while the league builds the stage for Super Bowl XL, a coaching “Red Wedding” has left the NFL landscape looking like a chaotic game of musical chairs. In this episode, Mike Palmer and Tarlin Ray break down the fallout of the massive coaching turnover and a Super Bowl matchup defined by redemption stories and “Harvard-style” job interviews.

The guys dive deep into the hiring trends of the year—from the rise of the quarterback-influenced front office to the confusing lockout of the winningest coach in history from the Hall of Fame . We’re also paying homage to the 11th anniversary of the 2015 Marshawn Lynch era, reminding everyone that sometimes—“We’re just here so we don’t get fined” .

Key Takeaways:

🏈 The Quarterback Bequeathment: In an act of “tremendous generosity,” Mike hands Drake May over to Tarlin while betting his own reputation on a Sam Darnold redemption tour .

🤡 The HoF “Clown Show”: Why Bill Belichick’s first-ballot denial is being labeled a total farce and what it means for the future of coaching legacies .

🩸 The Coaching Red Wedding: From Eric Bieniemy’s demanding accountability to the “Harvard interview” essays in Cleveland, we track the bloodbath across the league .

🧬 Bloodlines & Systems: A look at the Kubiak family tree—Clint, Clay, and Klein—and how coaching dynasties are tightening their grip on the NFL .

📉 A Low Watermark: A candid look at the current state of minority head coaching hires in 2026 and why the numbers are hitting a historical low .

Timestamps:

  • 00:00 Tactical shovels and the “sharper, more substantive” way to dig out of a Brooklyn snowstorm
  • 02:35 Tarlin’s “Titanium Hip” update: The bizarre experience of meeting a surgeon for 20 minutes and then being “released to the wild”
  • 03:55 Media week and the all-time press conference GOATs: From “Practice” to “I’m just here so I don’t get fined”
  • 06:55 Bequeathing Drake May: Why Mike is holding onto the “distressed asset” of Sam Darnold for the Super Bowl
  • 15:55 Bill Belichick and the Hall of Fame snub: Is the voting process a “clown show”?
  • 18:45 The Red Wedding: Analyzing the Eric Bieniemy dilemma and the “accountability” he brings back to Kansas City
  • 31:30 Mike McCarthy goes home: The “Yinzer” homecoming in Pittsburgh and the end of the Mike Tomlin era
  • 37:45 The Rooney Rule final tally: Exploring the “low watermark” and the movement of coaches like Robert Saleh
  • 39:15 Super Bowl predictions: Can Sam Darnold actually matriculate himself to the Vince Lombardi trophy?

If your GM forced you to write a “Harvard-style” essay just to keep your job, would you cite your sources or just walk out like a coach heading to Cancun?

Join the Conversation:

🚀 Follow the show on your favorite podcast app to catch every breakdown of this 2026 coaching cycle.

⭐ Leave a Review: Does Bill Belichick deserve to wait for the Hall of Fame, or is “Spygate” old news?

Tap that follow button like a tactical shovel through Brooklyn ice—Subscribe to Running It Back so you never miss a conversation like this one.

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Fantasy Football 2025: Draft Strategy, Flores v The NFL, the Rooney Rule and More | Running It Back

Fantasy Football 2025

Get ready, fantasy football fans, because we’re officially running it back! After a well-deserved summer hiatus, your favorite sports podcasters are back and ready to kick off the NFL season in style. This episode has everything you love: a healthy dose of signature banter, some wild personal updates, and a deep dive into the world of fantasy football—from its surprising origins to the drama of your home league.

Don’t miss a single second as we tackle the big topics:

  • The Origins of Fantasy: We’re talking 1960s, a league with a mouthful of a name (The Greater Oakland Professional Pigskin Prognosticators League), and the very first player ever drafted in fantasy history. Tarlin, with his deep Gemini research, connects the past to the present with players who play both sides of the ball.
  • The Modern-Day Fantasy Grind: The guys break down their own league obsessions, from old-school in-person drafts with stickers to the new “Guillotine League”. We also get a look into Mike’s “Palmertron 5,000” and the eternal debate of bros versus cos.
  • Running Backs and the Art of General Management: Is the running back dead? The guys debate strategy, assess player health, and reveal their own plans for the upcoming drafts. Tarlin even has a new rule he’s trying to pass to “make tight ends great again”.
  • The Flores Lawsuit and the Rooney Rule: We shift gears to a serious but crucial conversation about the NFL’s ongoing legal battles. The guys discuss the Brian Flores lawsuit, the fact that he’s still a defensive coordinator while suing the league’s owners, and what it all says about the Rooney Rule and the future of minority coaches.

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran with a “war room” and multiple leagues or a rookie looking to get a leg up, this episode is a must-listen. So grab your draft magazines, open up your pre-draft spreadsheets, and get ready because you know we’re ⁠Running It Back⁠.

Timestamps

  • 00:00 Introduction and Casual Banter
  • 01:07 Baseball Talk and Team Loyalty
  • 02:05 College Preparations and Nostalgia
  • 04:25 Transition to NFL and Fantasy Football
  • 06:00 Deep Dive into Fantasy Football
  • 07:42 Fantasy Football Strategies and History
  • 09:34 Fantasy Football Leagues and Rules
  • 11:28 Fantasy Football Drafts and Management
  • 19:47 Bros Over Cos: Fantasy Football Draft Strategies
  • 20:17 The Value of Running Backs in Modern Fantasy Football
  • 22:08 Quarterback Draft Picks: Who to Watch
  • 23:27 Wide Receivers: Top Picks and Strategies
  • 25:13 The Impact of the Rooney Rule and Minority Coaches
  • 26:56 Brian Flores’ Legal Battle Against the NFL
  • 30:21 The Future of Minority Coaches in the NFL
  • 37:43 Concluding Thoughts and Upcoming Topics
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Unpacking Shedeur’s Slide: Lessons Learned from the 2025 NFL Draft

Alright, football fans, buckle up for a raw, unfiltered episode of Running It Back! We’re diving deep into the shocking NFL draft slide of Shedeur Sanders. Was it his interview style, his play, or the shadow of his outspoken father, Deion, that caused him to drop to the fifth round?  

Tarlin and Mike dissect the stats, the interviews, and the generational clash that might have contributed to this head-scratching draft day fall.  

We’re not holding back – from hard truths about draft interviews to the influence of superstar dads like Deion Sanders and LeBron James.  

Plus, we sprinkle in some NBA flavor with a shoutout to Anthony Edwards’ rise and the Knicks’ playoff run, and of course, Tarlin’s recognizing that Mike’s beloved Mets are still holding strong.  

Don’t miss this rollercoaster of an episode! Subscribe to Running It Back for your regular dose of unfiltered sports analysis, hot takes, and the occasional off-topic tangent. You won’t want to miss what we drop next!

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Luka-AD Super-Trade and Super Bowl LIX

Super Bowl LIX Hype

We’re back with a special Super Bowl LIX preview episode! We’ve got all the latest news and analysis, including our predictions for who will win the big game. Plus, we’re talking about the Luka Doncic trade and what it means for the future of the NBA.

Tune in to hear our takes on the following:

  • Our Super Bowl LIX predictions, including our thoughts on the Eagles’ and Chiefs’ rosters, coaching staffs, and matchups. We’re also discussing the latest odds and betting lines.  
  • The Luka Doncic trade, including our analysis of the trade’s winners and losers, and what it means for the future of the Mavericks and Lakers. We’re also discussing the trade’s impact on the NBA’s power dynamics.  
  • The future of the NBA, including our predictions for the playoffs and Finals. We’re also discussing the latest news and rumors from around the league.  

We’re also giving our listeners a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Super Bowl! To enter, subscribe to our podcast and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.

We’ll be back next week with a new episode. In the meantime, be sure to follow us on social media for all the latest updates.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Welcome Back!
00:34 NFL vs NBA: Media Week Madness
00:56 Pro Bowl and Flag Football Fun
02:17 Super Bowl Predictions and Analysis
04:52 Eagles vs Chiefs: The Underdog Story
10:56 Super Bowl Party Plans
11:43 The Luka Trade Shocker
13:42 AD’s Availability Issues
14:17 Luka’s Impact and Trade Shock
15:37 Lakers’ Business Strategy
16:29 Pronunciation and Jersey Numbers
17:16 Dallas Mavericks’ Future
22:36 Player Empowerment vs. Front Office
27:41 NFL MVP and Hall of Fame Debates
28:57 Wrapping Up and Future Plans

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Jayden Daniels, the NFL Coaching Carousel, TGL and Unrivaled

Jayden Daniels, the NFL Coaching Carousel

Welcome to Running It Back, the podcast that dives deep to find lessons from the latest sports news and its the biggest games. In this episode, Tarlin Ray and Mike Palmer are back as we navigate the NFL playoffs, its head coaching carousel, and explore new sports leagues like TGL and Unrivaled.  

First, we break down the NFC and AFC Championship games, highlighting the underdog stories and the potential for upsets. Can Jayden Daniels lead the Commanders to an unexpected victory over the Eagles? Will Josh Allen and the Bills overcome the Chiefs’ dominance? We analyze the key players and predict the outcomes.  

Next, we delve into the NFL coaching carousel, discussing the recent hires and analyzing the impact of these changes on the league. We also debate the qualifications of Eric Bieniemy and explore the reasons behind his struggles to secure a head coaching position.

Finally, we shift our attention to the innovative sports leagues TGL and Unrivaled. We discuss the unique format of TGL, its potential to revolutionize televised golf, and the challenges it faces in delivering a compelling viewing experience. We also touch upon Unrivaled, the new women’s basketball league, and its potential to elevate the sport.  

Join us for this exciting episode as we cover the latest sports news and share our insights on the games that have everyone talking. Don’t forget to subscribe to Running It Back on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts to stay up-to-date on the latest sports discussions.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome Back to the Podcast
00:39 Reflecting on the LA Fires
03:22 NFL Playoffs and Championship Weekend
04:52 Rookie Quarterbacks in the NFL
09:12 Commanders vs. Eagles Analysis
11:57 Kansas City Chiefs: The Overdogs
16:15 Coaching Carousel and NFL Draft
17:00 New Blood in Coaching: Kevin O’Connell’s Extension
17:19 Jaguars’ Coaching Drama: A Real Housewife Moment
17:52 Pete Carroll Joins the Raiders: A Culture Reset
18:45 Coaching Carousel: Eric Bieniemy’s Struggles
24:13 TGL: The Future of Golf Entertainment
28:18 Unrivaled: The New Women’s Basketball League
30:35 Sports Nostalgia and Future Innovations
31:44 Final Thoughts and Hopes for LA Sports

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The Great Black Hope with Author Professor Lou Moore

Doug WIlliams, Vince Evans, and the Making of the Black Quarterback

In this special episode of Running It Back, Mike Palmer and Tarlin Ray sit down with Professor Lou Moore, author of The Great Black Hope: Doug Williams, Vince Evans, and the Making of the Black Quarterback. You heard that right, we’re running it back WITH OUR FIRST GUEST EVER! Don’t miss it!!

With Lou’s expert guidance, we delve into the rich history of black quarterbacks in the NFL, focusing on Doug Williams and Vince Evans. Lou shares insights from his research, including historical contexts, racial challenges, and coaching influences that shaped the careers of QBs like Williams and Evans. We also explore the broader significance of black quarterbacks and their impact on the NFL and American society.

Join us for an enlightening discussion filled with historical anecdotes and contemporary parallels. Subscribe and tune in for more lessons learned from the world of sports.

TIME STAMPS:

00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement

01:04 Lou Moore’s Background and Previous Works

02:09 Election Talk and Personal Anecdotes

04:14 The Inspiration Behind ‘The Great Black Hope’

05:47 The Evolution of the Black Quarterback

08:07 Challenges and Triumphs of Early Black Quarterbacks

13:40 Modern Black Quarterbacks and Their Impact

21:39 The Black Quarterback Syndrome

23:33 Personal Reflections on Racism in Sports

24:38 Teaching History in Today’s Context

25:30 Connecting Historical Events to Present Day

25:52 Music as a Tool for Healing and Education

27:03 Challenges Faced by Black Quarterbacks

31:58 The Role of Coaches and Media

41:19 The Future of Black Coaches in the NFL

44:19 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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That’s My QB 2024 – Plus the KAT for Randle and DiVincienzo Trade

Quarterbacks

In our kickoff to SEASON 5 of Running It Back, Hosts Tarlin Ray and Mike Palmer dive into the exciting world of NFL quarterbacks and their narratives. After Tarlin’s “291” anecdote, we start with a New York focus, getting NY Sports fan Mike’s takes on the recent trade of Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks and the current state of the Mets. Then we shift gears to analyze “That’s My Quarterback…” narratives from across the league, including Aaron Rodgers’ return from injury, Josh Allen’s video game-like performances and improved decision-making, and the ongoing debate about Daniel “Danny Dimes” Jones upside for the New York Giants.

We explore the idea that a quarterback’s success may depend more on their organization than individual talent, using examples like Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes. We also touch on the changing landscape of the NFL, with an increasing number of mobile quarterbacks and black quarterbacks leading teams. We’ll return to that once we’re caught up on Lou Moore’s book The Great Black Hope and The Evolution of the Black Quarterback series which just dropped on Amazon.

Join us for a lively discussion filled with hot takes, witty banter, fantasy football insights, and musings on the future of the game. Don’t miss this episode, which is packed with NFL analysis and takeaways from emerging QB narratives. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

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On Goats, Dynasties, and 3peats

Goats, Dynasties, and 3peats

We’re back with another episode of Running It Back, finding lessons learned from the world of sports, old and new! Tarlin shares stories about his 50th birthday and dealing with rainstorms in LA. Mike talks about playing in the snow with his 5-year-old son.

Discussing NFL season highlights, we debate whether Patrick Mahomes can already be considered a GOAT after the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win or if it’s too soon. Tarlin thinks we should let Mahomes’ career evolve before making proclamations.

Reviewing NFL dynasties, we agree the Chiefs are building their own with Mahomes. We also discuss NBA dynasties and three-peats, with Mike paying his respects to Michael Jordan while exploring whether he played baseball to duck the Twin Towers in Houston.

Closing topics include Eli Manning’s comedic potential, Tarlin’s support of QB Brock Purdy, and praise for broadcaster Nate Burleson’s Super Bowl work on Nickelodeon and beyond.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. And be on the lookout for a steady flow of episodes from here on out. Thanks for listening.

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FSU Deserves a Shot

FSU Deserves a Shot

Mike and Tarlin kick things off by chatting about their recent adventures – Tarlin’s trip to see Usher perform in Vegas, his progress in the step challenge (down 9 lbs!), and a podcast he discovered called Smartless.

But the main event is a discussion about Florida State University’s football team getting snubbed from making the College Football Playoff, despite their undefeated 13-0 record this season. Mike and Tarlin think they deserved a shot, but the selection committee went with 1-loss Alabama and Texas instead.

The guys talk about how the current 4-team playoff format is flawed and often comes down to TV ratings and money rather than rewarding deserving teams. They cover some controversial playoff selections in past years too.

Getting into the FSU situation, Tarlin breaks down their strong defensive rankings, key wins, and how they persevered despite losing their starting QB. For Mike and Tarlin, leaving out an undefeated power conference team goes against the competitive spirit of sports – it denies potential underdog stories.

They touch on lots of famous cases where underdog teams/players defied expectations after adversity, like the 1980 Lakers without Kareem and the 1990 Giants with backup QB Jeff Hostetler. The new 12-team format starting in 2024 should improve things, but controversy will always exist on the playoff fringes.

In the end, they think the system should give worthy teams like FSU their shot, between the lines not in some conference room debate. You never know how the games will unfold or who will rise to the occasion. That unpredictability and drama is part of why we watch sports.

Subscribe to Running It Back wherever you get your podcasts. Now also on Youtube!

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Dissecting the Michigan Football Spying Scandal

Michigan Football Spying Scandal

Tarlin and Mike kick things off by chatting about Tarlin’s recent trip to Barbados, including some turbulent flights thanks to Tropical Storm Tammy. But we quickly segue into a step challenge Tarlin is participating in, where he’s determined to beat his very competitive and fit coworkers. He’s even wondering if there are any tricks to game the step counters. We’re open to suggestions.

We then dive into the main topic – cheating scandals in sports. We discuss famous examples like Spygate with the Patriots taping opponents’ signals, the Astros’ trash can sign-stealing scheme, and MLB’s steroid era. An interesting debate emerges around whether cheating can ever be justified if you can pay the fines and it leads to success, especially with ultra-competitive coaches like Belichick and Harbaugh.

The latest cheating drama in Michigan football takes center stage next. A rogue staffer named Connor Stalions had been illegally filming opponents’ sidelines for years, but the heat is now on head coach Jim Harbaugh about how much he knew. Tarlin runs through Michigan’s futility against rival Ohio State during Stalions’ tenure to question whether the cheating even helped. We joke about the excuses around Stallions “acting alone” when several coaches were likely involved. We consider just how high up it goes as we think through how it relates to Uber, Air BnB, and even OpenAI. There are even connections to our current political landscape along the way.

In the end, we explore how rules in sports often have to catch up to new techniques for gaining an advantage. And many innovative companies follow a similar path – they’re willing to break rules early on if it means gaining market share, and they’ll pay the fine down the road if needed. An interesting perspective heading into the big Michigan vs. Ohio State grudge match in The Game.

Subscribe to Running It Back wherever you listen to podcasts. Now also available on Youtube.