His NFL life can now be told in two acts.

Eric Wood was the starting center the Buffalo Bills’ starting center for nine years. He helped end the 17-year playoff drought his final season.

Eric Wood has also now covered the team as a radio color commentator/podcaster/analyst the same amount of time. He’s the host of Centered On Buffalo and calls games on the radio broadcast.

This week’s Happy Hour podcast consists of a little bit of everything. Wood looks back to Drought memories and looks ahead to how these 2026 Bills get over the Super Bowl hump with new head coach Joe Brady. A ton of insight on all fronts.

As noted, we’re bringing back virtual Happy Hours this 2026 NFL season to give you the opportunity to ask players (and media members) anything you’d like. Is there someone you want to hang out with this year? Let me know at golongtd@substack.com.

Video and audio of our conversation with Wood is above.

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Topics this episode include…

* Life with Rex Ryan. There was so much hope and hype. Why did things turn south?

* Aaron Kromer. He wishes they had more time together.

* Rex’s defense was all about chaos and confusion. The sort of stuff Bills DC Jim Leonhard desires a decade later. Thing is, players hated Rex’s scheme in 2015 anf 2016. We explore the key differences between then and now, and how the Bills get the 3-4 right this time around.

* Alec Anderson. He’s the new guy starting full time on the line. Is he ready?

* The NFL went heavy in 2025 — the Bills, like the LA Rams, enjoyed 3-TE sets — but what is the next counterpunch for the NFL’s best offenses? More spread?

* WR screens drove locals batty. Wood offers thoughts on this play. Big picture, Wood points out something we did back when Brady was hired. The playcaller was often following orders in crafting conservative, keepaway gameplans vs. elite QBs. We’ll see what changes now.

* Joe Brady’s “they have to play us” mentality. The new coach detailed in full to Go Long.

* Was Wood shocked by Sean McDermott’s firing?

* As a young player, Wood suffered a compound fracture of his tibia and fibula. The injury set a tone for his entire career.

* What was Terrell Owens like as a teammate? They played together Wood’s rookie season.

* Why you’ve always got to be careful who you pay — he witnessed the effect with Marcell Dareus. Motivation matters.

* My “Real Football” co-host Jim Monos often points out that offensive line play is overrated. Let’s get Wood’s take.

Thanks, all.

Keep an eye out for our first season preview feature this coming Friday.

In the meantime, here are a few recent links to pieces if you missed anything.

Be sure to share Go Long with a friend if you enjoy. We’re fueled 100 percent by you.

The Wide Receiver Matrix

‘I’m back:’ Jamal Lewis gets to the other side

July Mailbag, Part I: DJ Moore Effect, KOC’s future, Lions CB plan, our draft hits/misses, journalism

July Mailbag, Part II: Football’s future, Sam Darnold, Rex Ryan memories, criminal on-field acts, QB scheming, gambling

Real Football: Brian Westbrook on defying the odds, McNabb-TO, Hurts-AJB & timeless Philadelphia Eagles memories

Happy Hour Replay: Isaiah McKenzie, uncensored

‘I choose to be positive:’ Stedman Bailey on the night that could’ve ended his life, NFL what-ifs, finding joy, paying it forward

Related to the pod…

Joe Brady takes charge, Part I: ‘I’ll set my jaw’

Joe Brady takes charge, Part II: ‘They’ve got to play us’

Josh Allen, reborn

‘My chip is deeper:’ Our 1 on 1 with Bills GM Brandon Beane

‘He wants to win the whole damn thing:’ Inside the Buffalo Bills’ decision to hire Joe Brady as HC

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