Roll Tide Roll!

  The Alabama Crimson Tide! One of the best, if not the best teams in collegiate football. A college football dynasty if you will. A juggernaut! With one of the best and most productive Head Coaches in the nation, in Nick Saban, it is not hard to see why. Winning 3 of the last 4 BCS National Championships, not including this year, it is hard to argue that they are not the best. Being ranked in the top 10 in the polls for the past 5 years straight. Always a championship contender, always a threat. The Alabama Crimson Tide does not do anything special at that. They simply line up, and out-man you. They are bigger than you, stronger than you, and faster than you. Sending numerous players to the NFL, year after year after year. One of the more reputable football programs in the country. But what is their secret? Landing top recruits, multiple top recruits, and an excellent strength and conditioning program. Which does a superb job at developing players. The first string may not be in, but the second, or third string can still compete, and put up points, as well as stop opposing teams. The Alabama way? It is hard to hang with a team composed of 6 foot 4, 250 pound linebackers, that can roam sideline to sideline, demolishing anything that happens to cross their paths. It actually sounds scary. And on the offensive side of the ball. An offensive line, composed of men. Just simply bullying their opponents, throwing them, driving them down the field, as their partners in "crime" do their work. The crowd shouts " Roll Tide Roll!!!" As the final whistle blows, and before you know it, the game is over. Nick Saban's Crimson Tide has defeated you 49-10! That is the Alabama way!

Monkey See, Monkey Do

 Football is a copycat sport. Monkey see, monkey do. If one team has great success with a specific thing, you better believe that if not the rest of the league, a significant amount of teams will attempt to emulate that style, or strategy. This applies not only to the NFL, but at the collegiate level as well. A good example is the Wildcat formation. The Miami Dolphins started a new trend that swept the league, and unsuspecting Dolphins opponents, by storm. The Wildcat formation, is designed to mess with a defense, keep them on their heels, because they do not know what will happen, they just have to read and react, and try to make a play. It is a trick play. First, the ball is not snapped to the Quarterback. In most cases, the quarterback is not even on the field, there is a special personnel for the formation. The ball is snapped directly to a Running back, who then, may proceed to one: run the ball in himself, in any direction, two: hand the ball off to a pitchman, who is either lined up alongside him, or comes in motion and at the snap of the ball may take a hand off, or run with the Running back awaiting a pitch, then three: the Running back can opt out and attempt a pass. The offense line can also be unbalanced, lining up all over the field, while still respecting the rule book, which causes a bunch of confusion for the opposing teams defense. Now the Dolphins ran wild with the Wildcat formation in their 2008 season. Confusing defenses and making a mockery of defenders. Most notable in the Dolphins 38-13 upset victory of their divisional rival, the New England Patriots. The Dolphins used the Wildcat offense on six drives. Those six drives produced five touchdowns. After that, many teams tried to imitate the Wildcat, some having success, and others failing. Teams began to catch on a devised schemes to stop the Wildcat. It is still a potent threat though, if forgotten.

Take Note

With the Super Bowl done, and a commendable performance put on by a Seattle Seahawks ball club, teeming with talent, most of them late-round draft picks and undrafted free agents, and were trained right, and have become Pro Bowl and All-Pro players, and a quarterback they picked in the third round. Sometimes, it is not about being taken in the first round. There are many great players who have flourished in their careers, who weren't first round draft picks, some un-drafted. A prime example is Tom Brady. One of the best quarterbacks to ever touch an NFL field, he was taken in the 6th round of the 2000 NFL Draft.  Has Multiple Super Bowl rings, and MVP trophies. On the other hand, being a first rounder, does not mean everything now. There are a plethora of first round draft picks, who have done absolutely nothing. A complete bust, that the organization most likely regrets signing, and investing in. Prime example, JaMarcus Russell. High school, and collegiate star! Numerous All-American honors. First overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft. But look at him now, currently a free-agent, no organization will even point their nose towards this guy. Played his last NFL game in 2009, which he also performed poorly in. Just a poor player overall, practically defining the term bust. So many teams need to take note, that the development of players is an important factor towards building a good team. Being able to bring out to the talent in your depth chart goes a very long way. 

Star In The Making

 With the 2013-2014 NFL season over with, all 32 NFL franchises are looking to restructure and rebuild their squads. This can be done by appointing coaches, or new coaches to new positions. Acquiring new players, whether through free agency, the NFL Draft, or trades. And last but not least, resigning players, and working on what, or in this case, who you already have. Now to me, the NFL Draft is a very good way of obtaining talent, especially with the types of athletes being produced today. A lot of them already being able to play in NFL games, and make an impact from the start of their rookie campaign. A prime example, is Jadeveon Clowney. Famous for his bone crushing hit against Michigan Wolverines' running back Vincent Smith, which jarred the ball loose, then Clowney just effortlessly reaching out for the ball and recovering it himself, is just a raw talent. His combination of size, strength, and speed, especially at his age, this early in his life, is almost unheard of. Clowney, a native of South Carolina, born and raised. Attended and played for the University of South Carolina. A consencious All-American throughout his collegiate career, and high school. Clowney stands 6'6 and weighs in at 249 pounds. Now this combined with his speed and strength makes him virtually unstoppable. He possesses an uncanny ability to rush the passer, and stop the run, which is a skill highly coveted in football. He has so much potential. The thought of how dominant a player he can be once he is drafted and on the field in the pros is scary. Clowney is an obvious star in the making, if not already viewed as one.

Watch The Knees

 The 2013 NFL season has been, for some, good. Everything going perfect and in their favor. While others wishing they could either rewind back to the summer, or fast forward to next season. Specifically those who have suffered knee injuries. The amount of knee injuries has increased each year since the 2011 season. Now the reason for this unpleasant spike, is unknown for the time being. But you could make a strong claim for the new rules hitting and targeting rules that have been implemented this past year. Imposing stiff penalties, heavy fines, and possible game ejections and suspensions, depending on the impact of the hit, the area hit, or at least targeted, and plain ole will. Did the player intentionally try to destroy his opponent. These rules basically protect offensive, and or "defenseless" players, from vicious blows, especially to the head, and neck area of players. Now with these new rules set in place, and being strictly enforced, it has left some players with no choice but to aim low. Which often results torn ligaments, tendons, and broken bones. Football is still a contact sport, it is a violent game, no matter where you line up on the field. But again, you can not blame all these significant knee injuries on defenders and their low blows. Another theory being thrown out there, is that a plethora of players are choosing shoes that are meant more for speed, and have less stability, also, the fact that a lot of players have stopped wearing lower pads, being: knee pads, thigh pads, which leaves your body more susceptible to injuries, whether the injury is great or minute.
Doctors are looking into this matter. Now there is no definite reason as of late, but for now, please watch the knees.

Super Bowl Champs!!!

With all the talk amid the Seahawks these past weeks, whether it being about a loud mouth Cornerback, or a Quarterback being dubbed "too short", or all the praise and press that the "Legion of Boom" (Seattle defensive secondary) generates, one would say that all of this hoopla would pose as a distraction. Especially when game-planning against a Quarterback as good as Peyton Manning, who has come off of arguably his best year in his career. The things Manning and Denver were able to accomplish this season were nothing short of stupendous! Also breaking old and setting new franchise records this year. It is safe to say that Seattle should get their minds right and focused. But the Seahawks proved otherwise! Bringing relentless pressure off the edge, and up the middle with their Defensive Lineman, and Linebackers flowing freely from sideline to sideline, delivering punishing hits to almost anything moving; and of course the Legion of Boom, composed of Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, and Byron Maxwell. Sherman, and Maxwell effortlessly locked down Broncos receivers all night. Using their highly coveted combination of size and speed to their advantage. The same went for Thomas, and Chancellor. Inflicting devastating shots on who or whatever came across their respective zones. And something about that Seattle "12th man." Drowning out any and every call or check made from the opposing Quarterback Manning. Causing a bad snap and fumble on the opening play of the game! Which resulted in a safety, and the first points in the game. Seattle just took over after that. Whipping the Denver Broncos to the sweet tune of 43-8!  

Super Super Bowl!

 This years Super Bowl, hosting the 13-3 Denver Broncos, and the 13-3 Seattle Seahawks. Ironic huh?! It is set to possibly be one of the best Super Bowls ever. Denver's high powered, and record setting offense has been unstoppable, torching defenses and their defensive schemes, breaking scoring barriers, and recording impeccable stats, week after week after week. And on the other hand, you have the defense of the Seattle Seahawks. Led by their "Legion of Boom." A term gave to their defensive secondary composed of cornerbacks Richard Sherman, and Byron Maxwell, and safties Earl Thomas, and Kam Chancellor. The defensive unit has struck fear into their adversaries eyes, whether by delivering punishing hits to anyone who was unfortunate enough to have crossed their paths, or creating numerous turnovers. Ranking first and second in all defensive statistical categories, also leading the league in defensive takeaways this week. With so many elite players in one game, for both teams, who do you choose? Who has the upper hand? I guess we'll have to wait and see. This should be a game for the centuries!