January 17, 2007
NIBBLED BY DINKS:
Knowing look from sidelines: NFL assistants weigh in on Colts (Mike Reiss, January 17, 2007, Boston Globe)
"When we played the Patriots, they were happy to take the 3-, 4-, 5-yard routes, Tom wasn't trying to force the ball 20-30 yards down the field," [Jaguars defensive line coach Ray Hamilton] said. "They ended up with around seven third-and-1's, which is a lot for a game. But by taking the short passes, it keeps the clock rolling and makes for manageable third downs. That would be an effective approach to keep Manning on the sidelines, whether by running or dinking and dinking."
After not watching much football for 15 years -- The Wife despises it -- two changes are particularly striking, both likely related to free agency as much as typical copycat coaching: (1) fundamentals, especially tackling, have eroded significantly; (2) it's incredible how many teams use this stupid three-yard passing offense, making repeated completions but not first downs. They're running an offense that's premised on just getting the ball in Jerry Rice's hands, but he's not actually the guy catching it. Posted by Orrin Judd at January 17, 2007 7:58 AM
3 yards and a cloud of boasting?
Posted by: Jim in Chicago at January 17, 2007 9:26 AMAs was said about Woody Hayes (and maybe Bo Schembechler) offenses of the '70s : "Three yards and a cloud of dust gets you fourth and one." Which is why both did so well against their Little Ten opponents and repeatedly lost almost all their bowl games.
Fundamentals have declined in the NFL over the last two decades, though not nearly to the extent that they have in the NBA.
Bo's bowl record was not good but Hayes was undefeated until the 70s (he finished 5-6). When he was at his peak in the 50s and 60s Ohio State seldom went to bowls because Big 10 teams were eligible only for the Rose Bowl. The conference also had a no repeat rule for many years, which kept some of his better teams out of post season play. The OSU faculty prevented Hayes' 1961 team from going to the Rose Bowl because they felt the program was getting too big (this decision resulted in a riot in Columbus).
People tend to ignore that the Rose Bowl is a virtual home game for USC (it IS a home game for UCLA) and that the Big 10 teams have to adjust to weather conditions they haven't experienced since September. If they played the Rose Bowl in Soldier Field or Ohio Stadium every other year the Big 10 would have a much better record in the game.
Posted by: George at January 17, 2007 10:49 AMMost players today follow the "strip the ball rather than tackle" code of defense.
Posted by: Bartman at January 17, 2007 10:56 AMTackling skills have been poor in the NFL for twenty-five or more years. Defensive backs are the worst, slamming into people to try to knock them down.
George,
Typical Big Ten whining. If you can't win in 65 degree whether, then you aren't good. The game wasn't designed to be played in snowstorms.
Posted by: Brandon at January 17, 2007 10:57 AMI'm struck by the after-play showboating when a player makes a rather mundane play that he was supposed to make. That has been pretty bad for the past 15 years.
Not trying to sound like a nut-job but I indirectly blame this on ESPN. Although I listen to ESPN radio, I loathe ESPN and what it has done to sports on so many different levels.
Posted by: pchuck at January 17, 2007 11:37 AMThe NBA has been decimated not just by free agency but by guys not attending college for four years. They never learn any skills.
Posted by: oj at January 17, 2007 11:45 AMp:
The funniest thing about Ladanian Tomlinson's snitfit is that he's mad about the Pats aping his own jackass teammate.
Posted by: oj at January 17, 2007 11:48 AMThe person most to blame for showboating in sports is Muhammad Ali. His showboating and taunting led to trash talking and boasting becoming common aspects of black male culture; and such behavior therefore suffuses sports, where black athletes predominate.
Posted by: GER at January 17, 2007 1:06 PMGER,
I gotta agree with you. A couple of weeks ago I saw a top-12 Ali fights hosted by Rapper Chuck D. It was interesting but I was struck by the fact that although Ali was a great boxer, he really was a jerk. He treated Ernie Terrell like he was subhuman.
Posted by: pchuck at January 17, 2007 1:35 PMThey never learn any skills.
Kobe
T-Mac
Amare
Garnett
LeBron
I can see how the NEVER learn any skills.
Posted by: Brandon at January 17, 2007 1:43 PMLife-skills Brandon.
Posted by: Bartman at January 17, 2007 1:47 PMThat's not what OJ was referring to Bartman
Posted by: Brandon at January 17, 2007 2:50 PMBrandon: you're right. After I re-read it I realized my mistake. As I was reading the comments the "life-skills" idea was running through the back of my mind. I had a "immature rich-boy" image in my head by the time I got to your post. Mea Culpa.
Posted by: Bartman at January 17, 2007 3:02 PMI heard this hilarious rant by a Redskins fan calling into the local sports radio station. He said said his team completed 3 straight passes afer getting a 1st down and then punted on 4th and 12. I do not recall the game but this year's Redskins certainly could have done that.
That said, I think the offense needs to take what it's given by the defense and the Pats are good at that.
Posted by: JAB at January 17, 2007 8:52 PMAll defenses today give the homerun ball because no one throws it regularly.
Posted by: oj at January 18, 2007 7:18 AM