Trench Warfare Podcast - Episode 1

Welcome everyone to Episode 1 of the new Trench Warfare podcast where myself and Duke Manyweather share notes, observations and insight into line play from around the NFL throughout the 2022 season. Duke and I have been colleagues and friends since 2014 when we connected over a shared appreciation for line play and a similar approach to the evaluation of the position through biomechanics, kinesiology and studying movement patterns on film. Having a baseline understanding of the body and how it moves optimally has been a key factor in our journey as evaluators and for Duke as an expert developer of talent.

We will incorporate some of that knowledge into our discussions and speak on how it relates to success or struggles on the field while focusing heavily on the major takeaways from our film study of every game every week throughout the season.

In episode one, we spoke more about our backgrounds and laid out a content schedule before digging into a wide-ranging discussion on the top storylines in the trenches through the first quarter of the 2022 season.

Episode one overview

• Tackles

  • Dissecting and bringing context into the narrative about Giants LT Andrew Thomas and his play this season

  • Texans LT Laremy Tunsil's red hot start vs. edge-rushers Yannick Ngakoue, Bradley Chubb/Randy Gregory, Robert Quinn & Khalil Mack

    • The sign of an elite tackle based on responsibility and what’s being asked of him schematically

      • Audio preview: Duke on a trademark of an elite tackle

    • The importance of shining a light on stellar players in less than ideal circumstances

  • Terron Armstead’s fit and performance in the Dolphins scheme

  • Patriots LT Trent Brown's move from right to left for the second time in his career & impact

  • Patriots RT Isaiah Wynn’s struggles with the move to right tackle

  • A synopsis of the Colts struggles on OL, the conundrum at left tackle and reasons for optimism

  • Packers LT David Bakhtiari's return after missing 22 games

    • Duke shares insight into the recovery process from a devastating lower half injury and some of the obstacles Bakhtiari might be facing 

  • Jaguars OL with a focus on LT Cam Robinson, RT Jawaan Taylor and RG Brandon Scherff

  • Why Bills LT Dion Dawkins & Falcons LT Jake Matthews are underrated

  • Top 4 right tackles right now

  • Standout rookies

  • The Eagles dominance as an OL unit

• Guard/Centers

  • Top interior OL we've seen

  • Rookie Texans LG Kenyon Green & Chargers RG Zion Johnson’s start

  • Top RGs right now

    • Why Cowboys RG Zack Martin stands above the rest at not only right guard, but guard overall and has for years

  • Top LGs right now

    • Spotlighting Quenton Nelson and his current level of play compared to years past, plus where he stands among his peers at the position

      • Video preview of our discussion on Nelson:

    • Eagles LG Landon Dickerson’s dominance from Week 4 against the Jaguars

  • Top centers right now

    • Jason Kelce and Creed Humphrey at the tops of their games

    • Next in line at the pivot including several perennially underrated guys playing at a high level this season

  • Patriots C David Andrews looking like he did before sitting out the 2019 season with a scary health issue

You will have the option of listening to us via audio or seeing the video discussion for each episode. We will also be doing film rooms this season, giving an inside look into how we watch film and sharing what we are seeing from line play across the NFL.

We are also in discussions for having guests join the podcast and/or film room throughout the season, so be on the lookout for updates on that as well.

Full video podcast below: