VAR's Crisis of Coherence
Why VAR is valuable, infuriating, and too discerning for its human audience
Game Theory
A monthly deep dive into how we think about sports.
Overdue Last read · last published · next check
Last read 9 hours ago, longer than this feed's 1 hour schedule.
Latest episodes
The Will Campbell Rorschach Test
Or why you think what you think about a Left Tackle's arms - and everything else, too.
Thinking Football #0: Maximizing Travis Hunter
A pre-draft pilot for a new football newsletter
Betting on Culture: Dan Campbell's Dynasty Blueprint
On the tangible benefits of culture, the Ravens' defense as a case study, and how the Lions' new hires could set them up long term.
Beck's South Beach Showcase
Why Carson Beck went to Miami, why it might work, and how the 12-team playoff improves the chances for "showcase schools"
The Purdy Problem
On building a contender, the NFL's Quarterback Arms Race, and why the 49ers are uniquely positioned to challenge the status quo
From Pre to Present: The Rise of U.S. Distance Running
On the U.S.'s mission to catch East Africa, the man that led them, and the motives behind the company footing the bill.
Great Expectations: Pochettino’s Mission Impossible
On U.S. ambitions, U.S. reality, and why no manager can bring them together
Control: Pep Guardiola's War on Randomness
How Pep became the world's best manager by rooting out the unpredictable, and why he's started to invite it back
Limits: How the MLB Can Save its Pitchers
Verlander and Scherzer's "qualified start" can fix the league's injury problem, and perhaps its product too.
Like Mike: Comparing The Clark Effect to the Jordan Effect
And why the WNBA's new star will transform the league
Hip-Drop Populism: Why the NFLPA is Opposing a Player Safety Rule
On the benefits of a hip-drop ban, the power of the fans, and the players union's new PR strategy
BONUS: Interviewing Two of Football Substack's Finest on Quarterbacks
Football Film Room's Nick Kehoe and Chief in the North's Seth Keysor on sitting quarterbacks, key traits for prospects, and the scaffolding needed for development at the position.
Saviors: How to Find a Franchise Quarterback
On the quarterback-savior cycle, why teams can't beat the draft, and why development sometimes beats evaluation in the NFL.
Assets: The Gamble at Chelsea
On portfolios, player development, and Chelsea's compounding future
Heavy Metal: The History of Jürgen Klopp (So Far)
The tactical evolution of one of the game's great managers, from relegation scraps at Mainz to Champions League glory at Anfield.
The Justin Fields Conundrum
Finding Fields' potential, comparing him to Caleb Williams, and understanding why it's more complicated than that for Ryan Poles.
The Fun Bunch: What Do the NFL's Best Coaches Have in Common?
On classifying coaches, developing quarterbacks, and why you should hire anyone who knows Mike Shanahan.
Sho Me the Money: Why Star Baseball Players Are Earners, But Not Always Winners
On Shohei, WAR across the major sports, weak-link winners, and what exactly you pay $700M for.
All-In: The Case for Swinging Big to Land Stars in the NBA
On the Lillard trade, the marginal benefit of star power, and why building a champion is a strong-link problem.