Archives for May 11, 2010
GQ: Do Football Writers Really Know Their Xs and Os?
GQ: Do Football Writers Really Know Their Xs and Os?
I’ve been thinking alot lately about how much more I enjoy reading NFL fan blogs than “professional” columns like Peter King, Gregg Easterbrook, etc. Sure, the pros get access, like King did earlier this week with Tom Brady, and some are fair and level-headed analysts (Mike Reiss), but the great majority write simply to invoke a reaction (Felger) and thus get more clicks.
At least with bloggers you know where their allegiance lies, and you can trust that sites like arrowheadpride.com and yes, even turnonthejets.com, know their team better than anyone and want to share that knowledge. That’s what I enjoy reading as a football fan.
Clearly knowing Xs and Os is not required for someone like Felger and I wonder if he’s even made an effort to understand what exactly’s going on out there. Seems like Randy Moss has suffered as much as anyone due to most sportswriters complete and utter lack of real football knowledge.
http://www.hulu.com/embed/0W6F_7Mbo4hsKvVrsobdBA
This is how I prefer to remember Tedy Bruschi. Nothing against his second career as an ESPN analyst, but it’s tough to hear your favorite player criticizing your favorite coach and team. I guess I had always just hoped Tedy would become a defensive coach for the Pats or end up working in the organization somehow. He was special to Pats fans, and now I feel like he’s just another blabbing talking head on ESPN take stances with rigid opinions. I understand you can’t be a TV analyst and give a pass to your old team, but sometimes it feels like he goes so far the other way just to make the point that he is fair and balanced.
Oh well, let’s just remember Tedy for his infectious leadership, habit for making big plays on the biggest stages, and his comeback from a potential career-ending stroke. He’ll always be #54 to me…
(Source: http://www.hulu.com/)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/this-is-how-i-prefer-to-remember-tedy-bruschi/
Lombardi: A New Course For Brady
Lombardi: A New Course For Brady
The more I think about it the more impressive the Pats winning the AFC East was last season. Brady was rusty, Moss was hurt, and they lost arguably their four biggest leaders on defense in the offseason (50,37, 54, 93), including Bruschi and Seymour just prior to the opening game.
I’ve heard Coach Belichick talk about how he admires what the 49ers did with two different quarterbacks in the 80s/90s and I think that enjoys the similar challenge of building a new defense from scratch. Last year there were a lot of growing pains, which has to be expected when you lose the key leaders of your defense. How many NFL defenses could replace 7 starters on defense and still win their division?
From the article above it’s clear that Brady recognizes the challenge ahead of them. I fully expect the offense to be better this year, even before Welker returns. With the free agent and rookie additions on the defensive side of the ball I expect continued growth, new leaders coming into their own, and the foundation to solidify.
Let’s not forget that while this young defense was scorched by the Saints, they held Peyton Manning in check for much of the game before folding like a lawn chair. The potential and talent is there, it will just take a little experience to return this defense to the “elite” conversation.
