Coaches Scoop

  Photo Courtesy of the Chicago Bears By Nate McCray In his preseason debut against the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams wasted no time showcasing poise and precision in Head Coach Ben Johnson’s offense. The Bears opened the game aggressively, scripting a series that highlighted both timing and versatility in Williams’ passing game. The first play from scrimmage was a crisp play-action pass to tight end Colston Loveland on a flat route, setting the tone for rhythm-based execution. Williams followed that with a sharp three-step drop back, firing a strike to tight end Cole Kmet on a timing route. After a short curl completion of five yards, the Bears shifted to shotgun, where Williams continued to look natural, finding Colston Loveland once again to open the field. Four-for-four and 60 yards deep into the first quarter (11:29), the Bears QB1 looked as though the game was slowing down for him. Buffalo dialed up pressure on 2nd-and-5, forcing Williams to roll...

  By Nate McCray Earlier this week, I found myself reminiscing of the daily position meetings with my running backs at Carthage College during the 2022 season in Kenosha, Wisconsin. My office was our sanctuary. I would sit with my running backs, the lights dimmed, my mini projector humming, and we’d dive into the short and wide footage like detectives on a case. I taught them to look beyond the ball; to study the twitch of a linebacker’s feet, the subtle tilt of a safety’s shoulders, the way a defensive end loaded his weight before the snap. Those little tells were gold. In my mind, the game was always won before Saturday. “See that?” I said to the room, rewinding the clip. “That linebacker’s leaning. He’s coming.” What I wanted the group to understand was that on Saturday, in the split second between the quarterback’s cadence and the snap, that tiny detail could be the difference between a one-yard loss and a 40-yard touchdown run. For college running backs chasing greatness, ...

Photo Courtesy of Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions By Nate McCray In the NFL, preseason games are often seen as testing grounds, opportunities for backups to make statements and coaching staff to evaluate potential contributors. For Detroit Lions backup quarterback Kyle Allen, Thursday night’s Hall of Fame Game against the Los Angeles Chargers offered just that: a chance to command the huddle and flash his grasp of the offensive system. While the stat sheet showed flashes of efficiency, it also revealed areas of concern that will need to be cleaned up if Allen hopes to cement himself as the Lions' trusted QB2. Allen finished the night with 91 passing yards and a 64% completion rate, going 9-of-14 through the air. However, the two interceptions he tossed cloud what could’ve been an otherwise solid outing. Both turnovers were more mental than mechanical, telegraphed throws where Allen fixated on his primary target. The first came under pressure on a blitz, and while the throw completion p...

Photo Courtesy of Mike Nowak - Los Angeles Chargers By Nate McCray The Los Angeles Chargers opened the 2025 preseason with a commanding 34–7 victory over the Detroit Lions in Thursday night's NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in front of 18,144 fans at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Neither team played their starting quarterbacks, as the Chargers Justin Herbert, and Lions, Jared Goff, both sat out of the first preseason game.  Fueled by early defensive takeaways and sharp quarterback play from backup Trey Lance, the Chargers never trailed, setting the tone for what they hope becomes a promising season. The Lions' misfortunes began immediately. On the opening kickoff, returner Grant Stuard mishandled catching the kick, and the Chargers' Kendall Williamson pounced on the fumble at the Detroit 28-yard line. Wasting no time, Los Angeles capitalized on the turnover. Just five plays later, quarterback Trey Lance found tight end Will Dissly for a touchdown, gi...

By Nate McCray Coaches Scoop, a rising force in independent football media coverage with over 17,500 site visits, is proud to announce that it has been officially selected to receive media credentials for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Chargers. The game that is a nationally televised preseason opener will take place on Thursday, July 31st at 8:00 PM EST at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. This prestigious opportunity marks a significant milestone for Coaches Scoop, which has built a loyal following through its in-depth analysis, unique coaching insights, and passionate coverage of both college and professional football. Coverage of the game will be featured in a full-length article to be published the following morning, Friday, August 1st at 8:00 AM EST at   https://coachesscoop.blogspot.com/ Upcoming Article Storylines to Watch: Coaching Debuts: A detailed examination of Detroit's new coordinators...

  Photo Courtesy of Stefanie Chiguluri - San Francisco 49ers By Nate McCray As NFL teams report for 2025 training camp, optimism is everywhere, but so are the question marks. For contenders and rebuilders alike, camp is the proving ground where roster gaps, coaching overhauls, and unproven players either rise to the moment or reveal cracks that can sink a season.   So, as I scan the league using real offseason data, a few teams’ standout above the rest as the biggest mystery heading into camp: the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, and the Cleveland Browns. After back-to-back 4–13 seasons that marked the official end of the Bill Belichick era, the New England Patriots find themselves at a franchise crossroads heading into the 2025 training camp. With former Patriots star and fan favorite Mike Vrabel now at the helm as head coach, the team faces a pivotal moment: can Vrabel inject toughness, identity, and stability back into a locker room that has lacked direction, or...