I was four years old when the Buffalo Bills played in their first Super Bowl in January of 1991. With the Bills reaching the big game every year from 91-94 while I was ages 4-8 and growing up in Western New York, it became my expectation that it would happen every year! When the Bills went 7-9 and missed the playoffs in the 1994-95 season, I learned a harsh reality akin to finding out that Rocky and Rambo were the same person and neither was real.
Those early years growing up on Grand Island laid the foundation for my love of the Bills. As the saying goes, “you can take the boy out of Buffalo but you can’t take the Buffalo out of the boy”, my Bills fandom didn’t fade when my family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1996.
Growing up in a football-loving family with my Dad and two brothers, knowledge of the game was competitive. I wanted to know more about the Bills and football than anyone in my family and my brother Frank, who is six years older than me, set a high bar.
In the early 2000’s, I fell in love with the NFL Draft and wanted to be the next Mel Kiper. I'll never forget when the Buffalo Bills drafted Terrence McGee with their 4th Round Pick in the 2003 NFL Draft.
That was the first year I committed to studying the prospects and creating my own Draft Board. I ranked over 300 prospects, hoping to know every player who was selected. Unfortunately, the first time I heard Terrence McGee's name, it was when the Bills selected him. Not knowing a player that MY FAVORITE TEAM picked in the 4th Round fueled me to dig deeper and passionately pursue football knowledge, inspiring my journey to produce football analysis as a career.
After getting my feet wet with a small NFL Draft blog, I began my career as the Assistant Editor for the USA Today's Digital Properties Draft Sites Network in 2011. From 2011-16 I expanded my portfolio with other publications and startups while networking to expand my footprint in the world of football media.
It was during that process that I realized that my true passion for producing content is centered around the Buffalo Bills and the team-building nature of the NFL. I’m grateful that it has resonated with football fans across the globe and allows me the opportunity to work in the field.
How it all Started
2016
September
Began producing a daily NFL podcast with Kyle Crabbs which is now the Locked On NFL Scouting Podcast.
2017
April
Won The Huddle Report's Annual Mock Draft Contest by producing the most accurate Mock Draft in the world.
2019
January
Became the host of Locked On Bills.
2023
October
Launched the Herd Mentality Discord Channel.
2024
March
Launched the NFL First Read Podcast with Brett Whitefield.
2024
September
Launched the Herd Mentality Substack.
Check Out the Podcasts
Locked On NFL Scouting
Locked On NFL Scouting podcast is your daily ticket to stay ahead of the game and the first to know the latest news, analysis, and insider info for professional and college football scouting.
What listeners are saying
A few words from our listeners.
"Best podcast. Joe is very knowledgeable and highly informative. Reliable and useful information. You can tell that he is very motivated to offer the best information about everything Bills. Really enjoy his dedication to offering the best content"
"I am a certified everydayer and I know who I am. Joe has a great grasp on the bills and everything going on around the NFL. I listen to this pod and locked on NFL scouting on the way to work and to fall asleep at night and I know more ball then all my friends combined thanks to Joe and by extension Kyle crabbs. Tip of the cap Joe."
"Best podcast. Joe is very knowledgeable and highly informative. Reliable and useful information. You can tell that he is very motivated to offer the best information about everything Bills. Really enjoy his dedication to offering the best content"
"The best Bills podcast...Joe gets right to the point, excellent analysis, no nonsense. Joe is a consummate pro, great info, must listen podcast for Bills fans. Best part of my day is hearing Joe enthusiastically acknowledge his every day listeners like me with “you know who you are!”
"Joe is such a great host, and curates an amazing show. I have only been following football closely for the last four years, so I appreciate how he breaks down concepts I might not completely understand. I come away from these episodes and my husband and I have great conversations about the Bills. Excited for the season to start up.. go Bills!"
"This is the must listen to content for any Bills fan wanting to know the minute details of roster construction, team strengths vs. weaknesses, salary cap details, coach and GM strategy as well as everything else! Great info 365 days a year tailored to the time of year. Joe Marino is that guy when it comes to knowing everything there is to know about your Bills! Make this a daily listen!"
"Amazing podcast. Joe is knowledgeable and informed. He provides level headed analysis rooted in good process. A must listen for anyone looking to be truly informed about the Buffalo Bills."
"The best comprehensive Buffalo Bills podcast that exists! Always up to date with the latest news, insights and forecasts for the future of the team!"
"I enjoy listening to Joe Marino because he knows football. When I listen to these announcers and Monday morning quarterbacks, without any knowledge, it makes me realize the value of Joe Marino"
What listeners are saying
"Best podcast. Joe is very knowledgeable and highly informative. Reliable and useful information. You can tell that he is very motivated to offer the best information about everything Bills. Really enjoy his dedication to offering the best content"
"I am a certified everydayer and I know who I am. Joe has a great grasp on the bills and everything going on around the NFL. I listen to this pod and locked on NFL scouting on the way to work and to fall asleep at night and I know more ball then all my friends combined thanks to Joe and by extension Kyle crabbs. Tip of the cap Joe."
"Best podcast. Joe is very knowledgeable and highly informative. Reliable and useful information. You can tell that he is very motivated to offer the best information about everything Bills. Really enjoy his dedication to offering the best content"
"The best Bills podcast...Joe gets right to the point, excellent analysis, no nonsense. Joe is a consummate pro, great info, must listen podcast for Bills fans. Best part of my day is hearing Joe enthusiastically acknowledge his every day listeners like me with “you know who you are!”
"Joe is such a great host, and curates an amazing show. I have only been following football closely for the last four years, so I appreciate how he breaks down concepts I might not completely understand. I come away from these episodes and my husband and I have great conversations about the Bills. Excited for the season to start up.. go Bills!"
"This is the must listen to content for any Bills fan wanting to know the minute details of roster construction, team strengths vs. weaknesses, salary cap details, coach and GM strategy as well as everything else! Great info 365 days a year tailored to the time of year. Joe Marino is that guy when it comes to knowing everything there is to know about your Bills! Make this a daily listen!"
"Amazing podcast. Joe is knowledgeable and informed. He provides level headed analysis rooted in good process. A must listen for anyone looking to be truly informed about the Buffalo Bills."
"The best comprehensive Buffalo Bills podcast that exists! Always up to date with the latest news, insights and forecasts for the future of the team!"
"I enjoy listening to Joe Marino because he knows football. When I listen to these announcers and Monday morning quarterbacks, without any knowledge, it makes me realize the value of Joe Marino"