Ollie Connolly
@ollieconnolly.bsky.social
Newsletter-er: readoptional.substack.com | Writer: The Guardian | 🎙️ NFL Daily | Previously: NFL/CFB Scout; recruiting analyst
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Ollie Connolly
@ollieconnolly.bsky.social
· Dec 12
Why Bill Belichick is heading to college — and what comes next
It started with a book club and ended with the greatest to ever do agreeing to an unprecedented move
www.readoptional.com
I wrote about Bill Belichick at North Carolina — a real sentence I just typed without blacking out.
Making the jump to college started with a book club, and ended with an unprecedented decision. On the why, how and what comes next.
www.readoptional.com/p/why-bill-b...
Making the jump to college started with a book club, and ended with an unprecedented decision. On the why, how and what comes next.
www.readoptional.com/p/why-bill-b...
Oh no, Ryan Day has the rosy cheeks and is trying to prove his team's toughness on the goalline again
November 29, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Oh no, Ryan Day has the rosy cheeks and is trying to prove his team's toughness on the goalline again
He just head-butted a ref and somehow stayed in the game
November 29, 2025 at 5:44 PM
He just head-butted a ref and somehow stayed in the game
Reposted by Ollie Connolly
When you see you can get an annual subscription to The Read Optional for $55 — forever — with today's Black Friday sale
www.readoptional.com/subscribe
www.readoptional.com/subscribe
November 29, 2025 at 2:30 AM
When you see you can get an annual subscription to The Read Optional for $55 — forever — with today's Black Friday sale
www.readoptional.com/subscribe
www.readoptional.com/subscribe
He’s praying Auburn wins because he wants the Alabama job.
If Kiffin says he staying, he’ll still be flirting with the Titans for a month (and there’s a real chance that happens). And then it will be back on this ride whenever DeBoer loses a game
If Kiffin says he staying, he’ll still be flirting with the Titans for a month (and there’s a real chance that happens). And then it will be back on this ride whenever DeBoer loses a game
Coming off the Egg Bowl, Lane Kiffin said he hasn't decided if he's staying at Ole Miss or leaving.
November 29, 2025 at 3:47 AM
He’s praying Auburn wins because he wants the Alabama job.
If Kiffin says he staying, he’ll still be flirting with the Titans for a month (and there’s a real chance that happens). And then it will be back on this ride whenever DeBoer loses a game
If Kiffin says he staying, he’ll still be flirting with the Titans for a month (and there’s a real chance that happens). And then it will be back on this ride whenever DeBoer loses a game
Talked about two of the most decisive days of the season with @greggrosenthal.bsky.social
- Bears run all over the Eagles
- Jordon Love goes ham
- Andy Reid has become… predictable
- Lamar’s struggles
- Lions in trouble
- Much more
🎧: landing.podtrac.com/nfldaily
📺: youtu.be/P-EzkJgNouQ?si
- Bears run all over the Eagles
- Jordon Love goes ham
- Andy Reid has become… predictable
- Lamar’s struggles
- Lions in trouble
- Much more
🎧: landing.podtrac.com/nfldaily
📺: youtu.be/P-EzkJgNouQ?si
November 29, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Talked about two of the most decisive days of the season with @greggrosenthal.bsky.social
- Bears run all over the Eagles
- Jordon Love goes ham
- Andy Reid has become… predictable
- Lamar’s struggles
- Lions in trouble
- Much more
🎧: landing.podtrac.com/nfldaily
📺: youtu.be/P-EzkJgNouQ?si
- Bears run all over the Eagles
- Jordon Love goes ham
- Andy Reid has become… predictable
- Lamar’s struggles
- Lions in trouble
- Much more
🎧: landing.podtrac.com/nfldaily
📺: youtu.be/P-EzkJgNouQ?si
Greg McElroy has become an outstanding in-game analyst. He’s really the gold standard now. Incredibly attuned to the details of every play, great on the big-picture, thought process stuff. Zero wasted words. Completely dialled in tonight — again
November 29, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Greg McElroy has become an outstanding in-game analyst. He’s really the gold standard now. Incredibly attuned to the details of every play, great on the big-picture, thought process stuff. Zero wasted words. Completely dialled in tonight — again
When you see you can get an annual subscription to The Read Optional for $55 — forever — with today's Black Friday sale
www.readoptional.com/subscribe
www.readoptional.com/subscribe
November 29, 2025 at 2:30 AM
When you see you can get an annual subscription to The Read Optional for $55 — forever — with today's Black Friday sale
www.readoptional.com/subscribe
www.readoptional.com/subscribe
The Bears' backs have seen a light box on 56% of their carries. Against those looks, they have 180 yards, averaging 9 yards a carry with five explosive runs
November 28, 2025 at 10:35 PM
The Bears' backs have seen a light box on 56% of their carries. Against those looks, they have 180 yards, averaging 9 yards a carry with five explosive runs
Hurts has been egregiously bad today. The gameplan has been egregiously bad. Without Lane Johnson, the Eagles' line is vulnerable. The Bears are down to their fourth and sixth-string linebacker, and there's a stunning lack of designs to put those guys in conflict
November 28, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Hurts has been egregiously bad today. The gameplan has been egregiously bad. Without Lane Johnson, the Eagles' line is vulnerable. The Bears are down to their fourth and sixth-string linebacker, and there's a stunning lack of designs to put those guys in conflict
Jihaad Campbell has played zero defensive snaps today
November 28, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Jihaad Campbell has played zero defensive snaps today
And the Bears offense is *actually* complex. The workload on their TEs alone is the highest in the league, with bonkers-difficult assignments.
Nothing makes a booth analyst go starry-eyed like when an OC says the phrase “illusion of complexity”.
November 28, 2025 at 8:57 PM
And the Bears offense is *actually* complex. The workload on their TEs alone is the highest in the league, with bonkers-difficult assignments.
Nothing says Philly like booing the 8-3, division-leading, defending Super Bowl champs off the field after one possession (and they're correct)
November 28, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Nothing says Philly like booing the 8-3, division-leading, defending Super Bowl champs off the field after one possession (and they're correct)
Here is a quick cut of Evan Williams vs. the run against the Lions. He was everywhere. Team construct fits + open-field tackling + range + violence. Williams remains a rollercoaster in coverage (particularly on the half-field), but he's crazy impressive fitting the run from depth
November 28, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Here is a quick cut of Evan Williams vs. the run against the Lions. He was everywhere. Team construct fits + open-field tackling + range + violence. Williams remains a rollercoaster in coverage (particularly on the half-field), but he's crazy impressive fitting the run from depth
This is as saucey as it gets from Jeff Hafley: leverages the threat of Parsons into an overload the other way = two free runners, and Gibbs has to take the most dangerous. Scoring a free-runner with a five-man pressure against six-man protection
November 28, 2025 at 5:04 PM
This is as saucey as it gets from Jeff Hafley: leverages the threat of Parsons into an overload the other way = two free runners, and Gibbs has to take the most dangerous. Scoring a free-runner with a five-man pressure against six-man protection
Reposted by Ollie Connolly
What's this?!?! A Black Friday sale for The Read Optional. Get an annual subscription for $55 -- FOREVER! If you're tired of shouty, debate TV and what in-depth (admittedly, dorky) analysis, come and sign up. www.readoptional.com/subscribe
Subscribe to The Read Optional
Smart Football. Explaining Why. NFL Newsletter and Podcast. Click to read The Read Optional, by Oliver Connolly, a Substack publication with tens of thousands of subscribers.
www.readoptional.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:42 PM
What's this?!?! A Black Friday sale for The Read Optional. Get an annual subscription for $55 -- FOREVER! If you're tired of shouty, debate TV and what in-depth (admittedly, dorky) analysis, come and sign up. www.readoptional.com/subscribe
What's this?!?! A Black Friday sale for The Read Optional. Get an annual subscription for $55 -- FOREVER! If you're tired of shouty, debate TV and what in-depth (admittedly, dorky) analysis, come and sign up. www.readoptional.com/subscribe
Subscribe to The Read Optional
Smart Football. Explaining Why. NFL Newsletter and Podcast. Click to read The Read Optional, by Oliver Connolly, a Substack publication with tens of thousands of subscribers.
www.readoptional.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:42 PM
What's this?!?! A Black Friday sale for The Read Optional. Get an annual subscription for $55 -- FOREVER! If you're tired of shouty, debate TV and what in-depth (admittedly, dorky) analysis, come and sign up. www.readoptional.com/subscribe
Myles Garrett is going to win DPOTY and break the all-time single-season sack record on a team with a barely functional offense for most of the season. Incredible.
November 24, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Myles Garrett is going to win DPOTY and break the all-time single-season sack record on a team with a barely functional offense for most of the season. Incredible.
It is genuinely hilarious that Tom Brady spearheaded every decision that has made the Raiders the most directionless and unwatchable franchise in the league, and he's just sat in Dallas calling the game of the most well-run team in the league
November 23, 2025 at 11:43 PM
It is genuinely hilarious that Tom Brady spearheaded every decision that has made the Raiders the most directionless and unwatchable franchise in the league, and he's just sat in Dallas calling the game of the most well-run team in the league
Please take this to discovery.
"Today, we're going to find out what this sound is..."
*JORDON THROWING HER PHONE IN BATTERY ACID*
"Today, we're going to find out what this sound is..."
*JORDON THROWING HER PHONE IN BATTERY ACID*
November 23, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Please take this to discovery.
"Today, we're going to find out what this sound is..."
*JORDON THROWING HER PHONE IN BATTERY ACID*
"Today, we're going to find out what this sound is..."
*JORDON THROWING HER PHONE IN BATTERY ACID*
Felt like the Colts got tight and gagged away a winnable one against the Chiefs. Good win for KC, but still concerning stuff going on with the offense under the hood. A lack of man-beaters. No UC run game. No intermediate passing game. Mahomes Man vs Zone splits remain stark:
November 23, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Felt like the Colts got tight and gagged away a winnable one against the Chiefs. Good win for KC, but still concerning stuff going on with the offense under the hood. A lack of man-beaters. No UC run game. No intermediate passing game. Mahomes Man vs Zone splits remain stark:
McCarthy is up to a 48% pressure rate. Five sacks. Two picks. 87 passing yards on 19 attempts. A -0.58 EPA PER PLAY. This just isn't professional quarterback play. You cannot continue to roll with this without losing a locker room
November 23, 2025 at 8:40 PM
McCarthy is up to a 48% pressure rate. Five sacks. Two picks. 87 passing yards on 19 attempts. A -0.58 EPA PER PLAY. This just isn't professional quarterback play. You cannot continue to roll with this without losing a locker room
Other than organizational embarrassment, there is no reason the Vikings shouldn't throw Max Brosmer out there. The staff loves him. He can run the operation. He will get the ball out on time. If he's a mess, go back to McCarthy
November 23, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Other than organizational embarrassment, there is no reason the Vikings shouldn't throw Max Brosmer out there. The staff loves him. He can run the operation. He will get the ball out on time. If he's a mess, go back to McCarthy
JJ McCarthy is being pressured on 47.4% of his dropbacks, and a bunch have been on his refusal to get rid of the ball. He has the internal clock of a sundial.
(KOC is one of the best, but I still don't think the offensive design/strategy is helping *this* quarterback)
(KOC is one of the best, but I still don't think the offensive design/strategy is helping *this* quarterback)
November 23, 2025 at 8:21 PM
JJ McCarthy is being pressured on 47.4% of his dropbacks, and a bunch have been on his refusal to get rid of the ball. He has the internal clock of a sundial.
(KOC is one of the best, but I still don't think the offensive design/strategy is helping *this* quarterback)
(KOC is one of the best, but I still don't think the offensive design/strategy is helping *this* quarterback)
Micah Parsons is up to two sacks and three pressures. His average time to pressure: 1.9 seconds, per Next Gen Stats. And he's been doubled on only 18% of his rushes. Not a winning business model
November 23, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Micah Parsons is up to two sacks and three pressures. His average time to pressure: 1.9 seconds, per Next Gen Stats. And he's been doubled on only 18% of his rushes. Not a winning business model
Shades of the 2022 championship matchup between Lou Anarumo and Mahomes on a key third down: drop-eight with Odd Mirror -- a flush rush that pushes Mahomes into the waiting arms of a spy. That's the good stuff
November 23, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Shades of the 2022 championship matchup between Lou Anarumo and Mahomes on a key third down: drop-eight with Odd Mirror -- a flush rush that pushes Mahomes into the waiting arms of a spy. That's the good stuff