2017-03

Brian Woods, Tony Collins, Randy Fuller, Al Oliver, and Marc Uhlmann

On this edition of Thursday Night Tailgate our guests are: the CEO of the new Spring League Brian Woods, former Patriots Pro Bowl RB Tony Collins, former Steelers and Falcons DB Randy Fuller, former Pirates 1B/OF Al Oliver and Co-Owner of www.steelcityblitz.com and Host of the Steel City Blitz podcast Marc Uhlmann.
Brian Woods - We talked with Brian about the make up and structure of The Spring League (www.thespringleague.com). He talked about some of former NFL players they have lined up to play; guys who think they still have something left in the tank like: Ben Tate, Greg Hardy, Kellen Winslow Jr., and Brandon Browner. They will have 4 teams who will play 6 games over a 3 week period starting in mid April. Hear Brian go through how and why they will be successful while all other Spring leagues have failed. 
Tony Collins - Tony shared his thoughts on the Patriots signing DB Malcolm Butler but have yet to sign Super Bowl 49 hero Malcolm Butler. He also talked about their current corp of RBs and thoughts on whether they'll bring back LaGarrette Blount or sign Adrian Peterson. We also heard which player came into Patriots camp untouted and wow'd the coaching staff and made the team back when Tony was with the Patriots.
Randy Fuller - As a former member of the Falcons, Randy shared his range of emotions during the Super Bowl. He also talked about his own experience during the 1998 NFC Championship game against the Vikings and in the Super Bowl against Denver. We also got his thoughts on the Steelers young DBs, Artie Burns and Sean Davis and what positions he thinks the Steelers need to focus on during the draft.
Al Oliver - Shared his memories of being a part of the 1970's Pittsburgh Pirates. He talked at length about playing with guys like Dock Ellis, Bill Mazeroski, Dave Parker and Manny Sanguillen. He also talked about his book: "Life is a Hit, Don't Strikeout" and the difficult childhood he had.
Marc Uhlmann - We got Marc's take on the situation with Martavis Bryant, if they can count on him and TE Ledarius Green. We also got his thoughts on  Mike Tomlin, where he thinks the Steelers need to focus during the draft, and where the Steelers are with their Inside Linebackers.

John Bock, Tony Collins, Roosevelt Potts, Drew Bledsoe, & Tom Murphy

On this edition of Thursday Night Tailgate our guests are: former Jets & Dolphins Offensive Lineman and now Offensive Line Coach in The Spring League John Bock, former Patriots Pro Bowl RB Tony Collins, former Colts RB Roosevelt Potts, former Patriots, Bills & Cowboys Pro Bowl QB Drew Bledsoe and Patriots & Red Sox blogger and Co-Host of the Sports Infusion show Tom Murphy.
John Bock - John shared his insights into what the new Spring League is all about plus the success he had as Head Coach of the Brooklyn Bolts in the FXFL. He talked about some of the players he'll be coaching in the new league plus some of his former Brooklyn Bolts players who have gone on to play in the NFL.
Tony Collins - Tony shared more of his insights into some of the Patriots off season moves.
Roosevelt Potts - We talked to Roosevelt about his time playing at Louisiana Monroe in college plus with the Colts back in the middle 1990's.
Drew Bledsoe - Drew shared his thougts on his alma mater Washington State and their QB Luke Falk. He also talked about why Bill Bellichick is able to be so much more successful than other coaches in the NFL. He also talked about enjoying away games more than home games during his time in Buffalo because of the weather and giving Dan Marino a hard time about being successful in warm weather Miami.
Tom Murphy - Tom shared his thoughts on the Patriots off season moves around trading for Brandin Cooks and Dwayne Allen. He also talked about Dont'a Hightowers new contract. We switched gears over to getting his thoughts on the Red Sox, in particular whether Mookie Betts can repeat his monster 2016 season, if Chris Sale will be able to succeed under the increased scrutiny in Boston, if David Price is really going to be lost for this season and how they will be able to replace the lost production of David Ortiz.

Russell Baxter, Tony Collins, Marco Iannuzzi, Terry Glenn, & Gay Culverhouse

On this edition of Thursday Night Tailgate our guests are: NFL stats guru and TNT Hall of Famer Russell Baxter, former Patriots Pro Bowl RB Tony Collins, BC Lions WR and Canada's Smartest Person Marco Iannuzzi former Patriots, Packers & Cowboys WR Terry Glenn and former Notre Dame and Tampa Bay Bucs President Gay Culverhouse.
Russell Baxter - Russell shared his insights and thoughts on what's happened so far in free agency, particularly with the Patriots, Ravens, Broncos, Falcons, Bucs and Saints.
Tony Collins - Tony share his thoughts on what the Patriots have done so far in the off season plus the fans and local media spouting that the Patriots will go undefeated next season and win the Super Bowl.
Marco Iannuzzi - We talked with Marco about what it's like carrying the title of Canada's Smartest Person plus all the philanthropic work he does for so many charities up in Canada. He also talked about representing himself in his recent contrat negotiations with the BC Lions and what they need to do next season to take the next step and play for the Grey Cup.
Terry Glenn - Terry shared some very personal thoughts about why he's so passionate about helping foster kids with his Foundation 83kids.com. Terry was a kid who bounced around from foster home to foster home, never knowing his parents. He talked about feeling wanted for the first time in his life when the Patriots picked him with the 7th overall selection in the first round in 1996. He sshared his memories and thoughts about playing in New England, Green Bay and Dallas. He also talked about how today's WRs should have astericks by their yardage totals because the game is so much easier now for WRs.
Gay Culverhouse - Gay told the story about how the NFL cheated her father, Hugh Culverhouse, out of being able to buy the Rams and how years later when the league added expansion teams in Seattle and Tampa Bay he was first given the right to buy the Seahawks but a short time later the buyer for the Bucs fell through so he ended up buying that franchise instead. He bought the Bucs for $16M and later sold it for $300M. Gay also talked about testifying against the NFL before Congress about concussion and the rampant use of pain killers by sideline doctors. She's now advocating for the NFL Alumni players to get all the benefits the NFL owes them plus get the players registered for their concussion lawsuit benefits.

Leonard Wheeler, Tony Collins, Bruce Matthews, & Jeff Reed

On this edition of Thursday Night Tailgate our guests are: former Bengals, Vikings & Panthers DB Leonard Wheeler, former Patriots Pro Bowl RB Tony Collins, Houston Oilers Hall of Fame Guard Bruce Matthews and former Steelers Kicker Jeff Reed.
Leonard Wheeler - Leonard shared his thoughts on the Carolina Panthers and what went wrong last season. He also talked about what it's like for most guys when their playing career abruptly ends, the new NFL Legends community and his book: "Beyond the Locker Room, DevelopingYour Game Plan for Life's Transitions."
Tony Collins - We talked with Tony about the Patriots trade for Dwayne Allen, why they let Dont'a Hightower test free agency and which player that he played with who was a physical freak of nature.
Bruce Matthews - Bruce talked about his college days playing at USC with great players like: Ronnie Lott, Jeff Fisher, Chip Banks and Ross Browner. He also talked about his memory from the loss to the Bills in the AFC playoffs after leading 35-3, his thoughts on the situation when he coached alongside Mike Munchak in Houston when Munchak was being pressured to fire his assistant coaches and refused to do so, and what it was like playing against his brother Clay Matthews twice a year when the 2 of them played for the Oilers and Browns respectively.
Jeff Reed - We talked with Jeff about the art of the on-side kick, his thoughts on Blair Walsh signing with the Seahawks, the team that his biggest missed FG came against, and his memories from being a part of 2 Super Bowl championship teams in Pittsburgh.

Bruce Davis, Tony Collins, Terrance Copper, Isaac Redman, and Carey Davis

On this edition of Thursday Night Tailgate our guests are: former Raiders 2 time Super Bowl Champion LT Bruce Davis, former Patriots Pro Bowl RB Tony Collins, former Cowboys, Saints & Chiefs WR Terrance Copper, former Steelers RB Isaac Redman, and former Steelers RB Carey Davis.
Bruce Davis - Bruce shared some hilarious stories about Ken Stabler's antics off the field, plus what it's like being a Raider and playing for Al Davis. He also talked about his last 2 years in the league playing for Jerry Glanville in Houston and how much Sam Wyche and Chuck Noll hated Glanville.
Tony Collins - Tony talked about what his off season regiment used to be and the time it took for his body to recover and stop hurting once the season ended.
Terrance Copper - Terrance talked about his alma mater East Carolina and playing with former Jaguars QB David Garrard when they were there together. He also talked about his time in Dallas playing for Bill Parcells and the Cowboys, the advice that Keyshown Johnson gave him, following Sean Payton from the Cowboys to the Saints and the struggles Drew Brees had seeing over the line of scrimmage.
Isaac Redman - Isaac told us the amazing story of how it came about that Mike Tomlin made him the last undrafted free agent invited to camp in 2009. He shared how he was able to stand out in camp and in the pre-season, plus how brutal the rivalry is between the Steelers and the Ravens.
Carey Davis - Carey shared stories from his day playing at the University of Illinois and being a part of their last Big 10 Championship team. He's a sideline reporter now for the Illini, so he talked about what it's like being on the other side of the microphone now. He shared his memories of being a part of the Steelers Super Bowl 43 Championship team, what was going through his mind on the Steelers last drive and while the officials were reviewing Santonio Holmes' game winning TD catch. Carey recently visited our troops over in Afghanistan and he shared stories from what that experience was like.