tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645214499397441962024-03-05T07:19:41.744-05:00Bruce and Albert, Xs and OsA blog about football, pure and simple. With occasional emphasis on the Florida Gators and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, we're especially here to answer questions about schemes, rules, terminology, plays, and those details broadcasters and coaches seem to think are too "complicated" for the average fan. This is "Bruce and Albert, Xs and Os": for fans, by fans (slightly more knowledgeable ones).Arnaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031800106602904510noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564521449939744196.post-1243856255664401752012-02-12T18:16:00.001-05:002012-02-16T19:45:08.840-05:00National Signing Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">by Arnaldo</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Since this</span> is a blog for everybody, including, and especially, those less knowledgeable, let's explain recruiting real quick. <br />
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Coaches and scouts for college programs spend all year traveling to high schools talking to prospective recruits, watching them play, and discussing why they should come to their institution. If a coach is impressed with a player, he'll schedule home visits during the offseason and invite the potential recruit to visit the campus during a football game weekend in the fall, with dozens of phone calls in between. <br />
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The recruit juggles several pursuing coaches, visits, and offers while trying to graduate high school. When they've reached a decision, they'll typically let the coach know how committed they are towards the institution, but until the papers are signed on National Signing Day, absolutely nothing is final. Verbal commitments mean very little now a days. Recruits sometimes decommit from one program only to commit to another and then subsequently decommit all over again.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Recruiting's kind of like shaving. If you don't do it every day, you look like a bum." - Will Muschamp</td></tr>
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This leads to a good amount of National Signing Day drama and plenty to cover on ESPN, which held an eleven-hour block of live coverage. We're gonna examine some of the National Signing Day drama that affected Florida, and the incoming freshmen that should make an immediate impact for the 2012 season.<br />
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I should mention that all recruits get rated two ways: a 1-5 star rating, and a national rank. There are several entities that rate recruits but the most popular are Rivals and ESPNU. Then, an aggregate score determines a national ranking for overall recruiting classes for a school. These are usually great for getting an idea of how talented a player and class should be, but in reality they should be taken with a giant grain of salt. None of these players have made it to the SEC field of play yet. A strong recruiting class determines very little actual success down the line. Florida recruited the nation's top class in 2008 and look at all the national championships that class won for us in their four years. </div>
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Okay, so we won one with them as freshmen, but that just brings me to my next point. Players don't usually make the starting teams until their sophomore year, at least. Only about an eighth of the class will see the field at any given game their first year. That 2008 National Championship was won by the impressive sophomore and junior classes and the only freshman who really contributed was Jeff Demps. The moral of the story is to not take any ratings for any player or recruiting class too seriously, sometimes these recruits prove they were underrated, and oftentimes they prove they were overrated in the years to come.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">National Signing Day</span> </div>
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So what happened on National Signing Day for the Gators? In short, not much. We had already had 21 commitments and went into February 1st expecting news on a handful of swing prospects, the ones that decided to withhold their announcements until the very last moment. Recruits do this for a variety of reasons, the most popular of which is simply to become famous. If a five-star recruit announces where he'll be playing in the summer before his senior year in high school, it barely makes a blog. No one is that interested quite yet. However, if that same player withholds his announcement until say, the All-American Game, or National Signing Day, he gets treated like Tim Tebow. Less than half of these guys have truly successful college careers and even fewer end up in the NFL so this kind of publicity is a lifetime achievement, even though they haven't actually done anything yet. Once they sign, they become first year players and are back on the bottom of a totem pole where they'll only be noticed if they play spectacularly, or get arrested.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or sometimes, both.</td></tr>
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The second reason is simple: they still can't decide where to play. This even applies to the recruits who have decided where they're going. Like I said earlier, even verbally committed players change their minds on National Signing Day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tO-c4_b2JLnb7ydHsaoLI0XSXr3hXjalN-PhicfD72kLyB1gIldO2FDbiI9S1OcTQQQ0eoBC-8Qrd7xcY0hZhPCMiorz_raESaUdA4XMO5tY1KeGMsNqjRq0o91GcbPVpZtmktC8qZxQ/s1600/recruitagholor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tO-c4_b2JLnb7ydHsaoLI0XSXr3hXjalN-PhicfD72kLyB1gIldO2FDbiI9S1OcTQQQ0eoBC-8Qrd7xcY0hZhPCMiorz_raESaUdA4XMO5tY1KeGMsNqjRq0o91GcbPVpZtmktC8qZxQ/s200/recruitagholor.jpg" width="200" /></a>Florida had essentially four recruits that could still chose the Gators: Nelson Agholor, Tracy Howard, Raphael Andrades, and Stefon Diggs. In a one-two punch, both Agholor and Howard chose against us. Agholor, a five-star athlete chose USC, and Howard, a five-star cornerback (and the No. 1 CB in the nation) chose Miami. A bit of a blow considering both players are among the nation's elite. Later that day a big surprise came when five-star defensive end, Dante Fowler Jr., announced he was coming to UF. Though heavily recruited by Florida, Fowler kept saying he was "100%" a Florida State Seminole. No one, especially FSU, expected him to decommit and join the Gators, marking an always satisfying victory over FSU. Soon after, three-star wide receiver Raphael Andrades committed to UF. The only piece of the puzzle left was five-star wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who opted to visit Maryland after National Signing Day, postponing his decision to February 10, delaying this article to today, two weeks after. Diggs decided on Maryland over Florida, wrapping up our 2012 class to 23, and ranking us (according to Rivals) No. 3 recruiting class behind Alabama and Texas. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zwkazPbR2dXaSlBnqJCDZQyf7bXl1Oq0hFSR44KlBEvS58hKAyXhFpzGhb-9DX4S_BDCGa94vK-56kBJ-duPK7D3lJ4Sygksrq08ApAeL6-2FtYngXEBMoIWSkaXhMxAEfk4NDhs36zf/s1600/500px-FSU_Seminoles.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zwkazPbR2dXaSlBnqJCDZQyf7bXl1Oq0hFSR44KlBEvS58hKAyXhFpzGhb-9DX4S_BDCGa94vK-56kBJ-duPK7D3lJ4Sygksrq08ApAeL6-2FtYngXEBMoIWSkaXhMxAEfk4NDhs36zf/s320/500px-FSU_Seminoles.svg.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You mad, Bros?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Players to Watch </span></div>
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In general the entire class looks good and favors what the Gators lacked in 2011. 8 of the 23 are defensive linemen, which is a huge amount for a class. Will Muschamp knows his top rebuilding needs are at the line of scrimmage, both of them. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5Wl_EI7GiTM4cmtrWS2K1y8O5JZv8YKKFq0wTtXZn1OXlYPD2jnBVVy-uwUgeBRywmYr85ZqzNd4WruPTGa6bd2BUPgoahQVxBWxeRr6qb8XgcXFdPRijajgBvSN0hYWGWTKKvPxHn72/s1600/Humphries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5Wl_EI7GiTM4cmtrWS2K1y8O5JZv8YKKFq0wTtXZn1OXlYPD2jnBVVy-uwUgeBRywmYr85ZqzNd4WruPTGa6bd2BUPgoahQVxBWxeRr6qb8XgcXFdPRijajgBvSN0hYWGWTKKvPxHn72/s320/Humphries.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">D.J. Humphries. Who's ready to block?!</td></tr>
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This brings up our top recruit, D.J. Humphries, five-star offensive tackle and the nation's top offensive lineman. Rivals has him ranked No. 2 overall player, as in regardless of position. He should make an immediate impact on pass rush protection, and power running game. Offensive tackle is probably the least glorious position in football but for last years Gators squad, it was the most transparent. Between the amount of John Brantley sacks and lack of run yardage accumulated, the impact D.J. Humphries has next year, even as a freshman, should be night and day.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEtWhRDzw8uujQRW_MW6dXwB0ReQPFKb8U6T5jP7XNjLWCJ1QnfziC0wLDP_DG3A4vppfD2V1WiR6WWXdjCyhitg1il2RAToeMippXCq7L2JtMOFriISNdfGZNovskaD8NEEC_DzJqLjd/s1600/dm_120201_Dante_Fowler_Jr_flips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEtWhRDzw8uujQRW_MW6dXwB0ReQPFKb8U6T5jP7XNjLWCJ1QnfziC0wLDP_DG3A4vppfD2V1WiR6WWXdjCyhitg1il2RAToeMippXCq7L2JtMOFriISNdfGZNovskaD8NEEC_DzJqLjd/s320/dm_120201_Dante_Fowler_Jr_flips.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dante Fowler Jr., moments after flip flopping from<br />
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The next two players I'm most excited about happen to play the same position, which is great for us: Jonathan Bullard and Dante Fowler Jr. They'll both help contribute immediately to the depth of a defensive line that already oozes talent but has lacked productivity. Excess depth is always the best solution for such a problem and both of these players happen to be two of the nation's best at defensive end (both five-star). Fowler Jr., who has played both end and outside linebacker, will be a good fit at the buck position with Ronald Powell and William Green.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDToHkHDm7_JYE59PwFWHWEtqupFMo6aWHYhzxOh-phism__C3GiAbQtaCF8ZqSUFMd-gZC1PieXKnvyo90GYpw8qpytVHouuTUHN0BgWGKGUa_z4rOZBsd_FSNri1ZSFyHwq9hgGYSLY/s1600/WEB_020112_SKYLER_SOTMP4HIGH_640x360_2192190757.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDToHkHDm7_JYE59PwFWHWEtqupFMo6aWHYhzxOh-phism__C3GiAbQtaCF8ZqSUFMd-gZC1PieXKnvyo90GYpw8qpytVHouuTUHN0BgWGKGUa_z4rOZBsd_FSNri1ZSFyHwq9hgGYSLY/s320/WEB_020112_SKYLER_SOTMP4HIGH_640x360_2192190757.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is it me, or does he kind of look like John Brantley?</td></tr>
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No matter what the recruit rankings say, the quarterback position is always incredibly difficult to predict. Elite quaterbacks may come from no where while highly touted ones may disappear. Enter Skyler Mornhinweg, a three-star prospect who happens to be the son of Marty Mornhinweg, the offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles. Needless to say, Skyler has football pedigree and a full time quarterback coach on his side. I'm not here to say the Gators need him, but a year after recruiting two out of the top three quarterbacks, depth and competition are definitely healthy. Look for solid competition between Jeff Driskel, Jacoby Brissett, Tyler Murphy, and Skyler Mornhinweg. </div>
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Lastly, here is the entire 2012 Florida Gators class (position / hometown / high school / size).</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Florida Gators Recruiting Class of 2012</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Raphael Andrades </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">★ </span></b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>★ </b><b>★ </b></span><br />
WR / Tallahassee, FL/ Lincoln / 6'0'' 190 lbs<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Willie Bailey </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><br />
DB / Hallandale, FL / Hallandale / 6'1'' 167 lbs<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jonathan Bullard </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><br />
DE / Shelby, NC / Crest / 6'3'' 263 lbs<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bryan Cox Jr. </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><br />
DE / Fort Lauderdale, FL / St. Thomas Aquinas / 6'3'' 247 lbs<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jessamen Dunker </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><br />
OL / Boynton Beach, FL / Boynton Beach / 6'4'' 320 lbs<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dante Fowler Jr. </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><br />
LB/DE / St. Petersburg, FL / Lakewood / 6'3'' 261 lbs<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Austin Hardin </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><br />
K / Atlanta, GA / Marist / 5'10'' 204<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>D.J. Humphries </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><br />
OL / Charlotte, NC / Mallard Creek / 6'6'' 271 lbs<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Damien Jacobs </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><br />
DT / Houma, LA / H. L. Bourgeois / 6'4'' 290 lbs<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Matt Jones </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><br />
RB / Seffner, FL / Armwood / 6'2'' 213 lbs<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rhaheim Ledbetter </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><br />
S / Shelby, NC / Crest / 5'11'' 195 lbs<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jafar Mann </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><br />
DT / Stone Mountain, GA / Stephenson / 6'3'' 293 lbs<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Marcus Maye </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><br />
S/ Melbourne, FL / Holy Trinity Episcopal / 5'11'' 200 lbs<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Alex McCalister </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><br />
LB / Clemmons, NC / West Forsyth / 6'6'' 223 lbs<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Skyler Mornhinweg </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><br />
QB / Philadelphia, PA / St. Joesph's / 6'3'' 190 lbs<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Antonio Morrison </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><br />
LB / Bolingbrook, IL / Bolingbrook / 6'1'' 209 lbs<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Omari Phillips </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><br />
DT / Venice, FL / Venice / 6'6'' 315 lbs<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Latroy Pittman </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><br />
WR / Citra, FL / North Marion / 6'0'' 195 lbs<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Brian Poole </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><br />
CB / Bradenton, FL / Southeast / 5'10'' 202 lbs<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jeremi Powell </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><br />
LB / Largo, FL / Pinellas Park / 6'1'' 193 lbs<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Kent Taylor </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><br />
TE / Land O'Lakes, FL / Land O'Lakes / 6'5'' 225 lbs<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Colin Thompson </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><br />
TE / Warminster, PA / Archbishop Wood / 6'4'' 252 lbs<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Quinteze Williams </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">★ </b><br />
DE / Tyrone, GA / Sandy Creek / 6'5'' 255 lbs</div>Arnaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031800106602904510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564521449939744196.post-6509457191327059782012-01-04T14:34:00.000-05:002012-01-06T20:07:01.189-05:00BCS National Championship: Louisiana State University v. University of Alabama<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFrBgPtqJPei2UFIhpNA2xYDgp_ikSjblaSr_HNQVGpvmAgj97kBFvW26hYvM_HNAeGzMv9WXzru4Ye9oafTdkcyaw0AMUojj_6Sf0Gq0a2z1TD9mjxDvFrl7MNsGfmt77UEC_Ytm5dW1/s1600/BCS12TitleLogo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFrBgPtqJPei2UFIhpNA2xYDgp_ikSjblaSr_HNQVGpvmAgj97kBFvW26hYvM_HNAeGzMv9WXzru4Ye9oafTdkcyaw0AMUojj_6Sf0Gq0a2z1TD9mjxDvFrl7MNsGfmt77UEC_Ytm5dW1/s320/BCS12TitleLogo.gif" width="308" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;">by Arnaldo</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">It's the "Rematch" </span>of the "Game of the Century"! What more could you want out of a National Championship?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrlG6n9giSkWbfntvPJ9LYwlRXv_44KKnVOohif7ae8lpaOcHuptlaF5DHInTYY2xOqJnbmhzhsoufyPHpmX1-8bz3t2Sn6uZnIncl0TQs0EUDzveHAoJXHcFpC0gnsalmaVp15sIwc1q/s1600/500px-Oklahoma_State_University_Athletics_logo_%2528four_colors%2529.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrlG6n9giSkWbfntvPJ9LYwlRXv_44KKnVOohif7ae8lpaOcHuptlaF5DHInTYY2xOqJnbmhzhsoufyPHpmX1-8bz3t2Sn6uZnIncl0TQs0EUDzveHAoJXHcFpC0gnsalmaVp15sIwc1q/s200/500px-Oklahoma_State_University_Athletics_logo_%2528four_colors%2529.svg.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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Funny to ask since a large minority of pundits and fans would rather see Les Miles' old team, Oklahoma State, try their best against his new team, LSU, but that's behind us so let's focus on the match-up at hand: Nick Saban's old team, LSU, against his new team, Alabama (see what I did there?). We haven't seen a rematch in the title game since 1996 when Florida beat Florida State, who had previously lost to FSU at the end of the regular season. That game should inspire hope, in the days before the big game, that we should see the best game college football has to offer, and that anything can happen. As for the coaches, there's plenty of talent on both sides. Nick Saban has won two titles with LSU and Alabama, and Les Miles was here four years ago with LSU.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqr9g-hpRkgCPnOJqH9WJWGtwTmlbiRRL0VpbokSSjSnYxcUS5xI62CCAv4d2KdkwlXpC3U4lz_qOZGpRP7aDkVPBBi2PkgO7jYTmOJUxCI9gME6P0j4BQCvwpca1UVdwb2Xo_DJT6CZbR/s1600/saban.600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqr9g-hpRkgCPnOJqH9WJWGtwTmlbiRRL0VpbokSSjSnYxcUS5xI62CCAv4d2KdkwlXpC3U4lz_qOZGpRP7aDkVPBBi2PkgO7jYTmOJUxCI9gME6P0j4BQCvwpca1UVdwb2Xo_DJT6CZbR/s400/saban.600.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Umm . . . Awkward?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Round I: FIGHT!</span><br />
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So how should this game play out? Well luckily we already saw these teams duke it out. First of all, let me just say, that game was not boring. I mean, you may have been bored watching it, but there's nothing boring about a stalemate, the culmination of solid, mistake-free, perfectly coached football. For most teams, there's a looseness about calling and executing plays when a team usually has a go-to play with a high rate of success. This wasn't that. This was 60 minutes of high tension and insurmountable anxiety. Neither coach could call the wrong play; neither group of players could make a single mistake, the other team would capitalize. When you have two teams with great offenses but phenomenal defenses, this is the type of game you're gonna see.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Round II: FIGHT!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PiPHG1eEP1JPeCyhnb9PTV1az2hyphenhyphenjGFcOsYDFw7rWdyWZrVPAjo0XrPDAkc4mCaeAzm3eHNmA2T8LInDg4WeW5Ps0vkq3haNCU0Pnch8lnxJEDLtEmnHEOeMPYKfFfh_pHc90JSue561/s1600/SEC_new_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PiPHG1eEP1JPeCyhnb9PTV1az2hyphenhyphenjGFcOsYDFw7rWdyWZrVPAjo0XrPDAkc4mCaeAzm3eHNmA2T8LInDg4WeW5Ps0vkq3haNCU0Pnch8lnxJEDLtEmnHEOeMPYKfFfh_pHc90JSue561/s200/SEC_new_logo.png" width="200" /></a>For those of you who did think the first match up was boring, you should be pleasantly surprised with this National Championship game. There should be more scoring this time. These teams have an advantage most college football teams never have: extensive experience against each other. Watching film on your opponent's last match up is one thing; having actual experience is a whole 'nother game. These coaches have footage on how exactly each player should match up against their assignment. They don't have to estimate how to give their offensive/defensive line the edge, they don't have to look at 40-times to match up receivers on defensive backs. They were already there. Unlike the NFL, college teams very rarely play each other more than once, and players are constantly moving around; having actual field time against the opponent is a Christmas gift neither Nick Saban nor Les Miles will take for granted. This should translate to slightly more success on offense for both teams. Look at the NFL where teams have to play their three divisional rivals twice per season. Nine out of ten times, the second game will be higher scoring than the first. Each team will be more confident on the success of their plays and will be a bit more liberal with their play-calling. Expect to see a few more long passes and at least two more touchdowns than before.<br />
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On the opposite side of the coin, each coaching staff knows what the other team is studying, and know what didn't work the first time around. As a result, expect plays, coverages, and especially blitzes you've never seen from each team before.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Keys to Victory</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8SumX8WclNYTMeAp5zLTw5cLUy-EhUhNSG8vZID34mmzf0wNuWRb64DRyP7uaVh8_5FiyTKQiRi6X9E3vIVFznKVv3PWZte1MYubiF-Wc5RUyNqhLN72Zt81XV2CXVfbGjSjI1EO3Mbw/s1600/LSU_Registered_White.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8SumX8WclNYTMeAp5zLTw5cLUy-EhUhNSG8vZID34mmzf0wNuWRb64DRyP7uaVh8_5FiyTKQiRi6X9E3vIVFznKVv3PWZte1MYubiF-Wc5RUyNqhLN72Zt81XV2CXVfbGjSjI1EO3Mbw/s200/LSU_Registered_White.gif" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">For LSU</span>, it's one word: consistency. Les Miles prides himself on consistency, but something is getting lost in translation. LSU is undefeated because of three things: near-perfect defense, near-perfect special teams, and a stellar offensive line, but LSU is not a perfect team. There is a severe lack of consistency in the offense, namely the skill positions. They're quick fix has been their depth. Two quarterbacks (though expect much more, if not all Jordan Jefferson over Jarret Lee), five runningbacks, constantly in rotation. When one guy drops the ball (both literally and metaphorically) Miles just sends in his replacement. It's like covering holes with duct tape; it's not a real fix. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bZHM5eq37OJtE7TdPjLXdmMrSy-7N9uwRauuyXdVzq4cbkXPWCLpxFuLQQmU7rAXJruO9NhyJ63G5ogqeZzO31efYELg8xIA1W0uGanuZJftfgIwGoorpdiprTIDAvFbegA6LPZLGgyP/s1600/tyrann-mathieu-p1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bZHM5eq37OJtE7TdPjLXdmMrSy-7N9uwRauuyXdVzq4cbkXPWCLpxFuLQQmU7rAXJruO9NhyJ63G5ogqeZzO31efYELg8xIA1W0uGanuZJftfgIwGoorpdiprTIDAvFbegA6LPZLGgyP/s320/tyrann-mathieu-p1.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CB Tyrann Mathieu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As an offense, LSU is hot and cold. They've gotten away with being so inconsistent because the defense gives them infinite opportunities and their special teams gives them favorable field position, or touchdown returns. The problem is that eventually, and against the top defense in all major categories in Alabama, all cylinders have to click, or the entire game will break apart. They beat Alabama the first time because they were hot. Against Georgia, they were cold. The first half of the SEC Championship game saw an LSU offense that could produce zero first downs and -2 yards. Now, Georgia's defense is good, but Alabama's is the best. A performance like that will not be forgiven next Monday and will result in a steady field position battle that Alabama can easily win. Expect a good battle in the trenches between LSU's offensive line and Bama's defensive front. LSU likes to run the ball a lot whether it's from the I to Singleback and a good amount of spread option. Either way, a strong (and always consistent) offensive line and five effective and healthy running backs will deliver a solid run game. If LSU wins, however, the difference maker will be special teams. With one of the best punters in the nation and definitely the best punt returner in the nation (Tyrann Mathieu), LSU's special teams has the ability to inch their team closer to the endzone on each possession transition. Make no mistake, the field position battle will be THE most important in this game.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYz2AqsO0Hwj_dyay6Gl6WcdGZOoVNDBzDEil1GZAvrwNf1Xu5J2YA9bndviUhXmGVg06UrWANkrKQeyjrRBfZ4i4K9MZ8mzDJfkkgGC8ZcsfY2JmnhodOHsBHkVEshOjJQy5J4WHDbNvF/s1600/CrimsonTideAlogo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYz2AqsO0Hwj_dyay6Gl6WcdGZOoVNDBzDEil1GZAvrwNf1Xu5J2YA9bndviUhXmGVg06UrWANkrKQeyjrRBfZ4i4K9MZ8mzDJfkkgGC8ZcsfY2JmnhodOHsBHkVEshOjJQy5J4WHDbNvF/s200/CrimsonTideAlogo.png" width="199" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">For Alabama</span>, it all goes back to Nick Saban. Love him or hate him, there's no smarter coach in football, and with him comes a big strategic advantage: his team didn't have to play on championship week and LSU's offensive holes were severely exposed against Georgia's defense in the first half. You can bet Nick was licking his lips watching the golden footage while his team gets an extra week to rest. Alabama needs to limit Jordan Jefferson to either the pass or run game. Alabama's defense is first in every major category so it should be pretty easy to stop the weak passer. With LSU focusing on their powerful run game, they'll need to use their outside option game to widen <a href="http://bruceandalbertxsandos.blogspot.com/2011/11/xs-and-os-defensive-and-special-teams.html" target="_blank">the box</a> to set up good interior runs. Alabama's only weakness is outside linebacker speed and defending the option (they allowed 307 run yards against the <a href="http://bruceandalbertxsandos.blogspot.com/2011/12/xs-and-os-option.html" target="_blank">triple-option</a> FCS Georgia Southern). In their last meeting, LSU was very capable of moving the ball on outside <a href="http://bruceandalbertxsandos.blogspot.com/2011/12/xs-and-os-option.html" target="_blank">speed options</a>. Look for Saban to keep his linebackers a little more spread out and prepared for outside options. There may also be less use of a true Buck (hybrid linebacker/defensive end). Either way, Saban will be out to turn LSU into a one-dimensional offense. One-dimensional teams do not win against Nick Saban. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoIYvQOtapbxZTnGDysQNhrqpOEDe8xm9RoUg9a4tgKoLhWMrSwFErWdlPJLaAKS_3wE3TMayL8nbrPyQGpvlq3qKI6Nn4kQe4Uc6rv2Ot_5AESy6m9LCpI0L_E7YC4o0K4daiZq-qXH-/s1600/Trent%252BRichardson%252BPenn%252BState%252Bv%252BAlabama%252B5lxN5BCHnEZl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoIYvQOtapbxZTnGDysQNhrqpOEDe8xm9RoUg9a4tgKoLhWMrSwFErWdlPJLaAKS_3wE3TMayL8nbrPyQGpvlq3qKI6Nn4kQe4Uc6rv2Ot_5AESy6m9LCpI0L_E7YC4o0K4daiZq-qXH-/s320/Trent%252BRichardson%252BPenn%252BState%252Bv%252BAlabama%252B5lxN5BCHnEZl.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RB Trent Richardson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On offense, expect a lot, a lot, of Trent Richardson. LSU may have a better offensive line, but not by much, and they don't have a Trent Richardson. <a href="http://bruceandalbertxsandos.blogspot.com/2011/12/heismanology.html" target="_blank">My personal pick for the Heisman</a>, he's more than a runningback. He's an all around athlete. He's their leading rusher, obviously, with 1583 yards, but is also curiously Alabama's second highest receiver with 327 yards. That's not a lot for a receiver, but having a do-it-all player on the field opens up all sorts of possibilities. Throwing good screens, checkdowns, and underneath patterns to a talented runningback is like running a spread offense. It'll force a defense to spread out into looser zones, and make bigger passing lanes for Marquis Maze, and also even more running lanes for Trent Richardson. As I mentioned, special teams will play a huge part of this game and Alabama will be prepared. They don't have the same return game as LSU, but they will be well prepared for Tyrann Mathieu and company. On punts, look for Alabama to sacrifice punt blockers to suffocate Mathieu and force him to fair catch.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Arnaldo's prediction:</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Alabama beats LSU 20-10</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyaeDzdmUCbOoJnYyuV0BkNXdRUTEe2d9KVvC5-pJK8jTcNV7D6AawalniITJkBoOswZyBMR_lyF1DbovGhn08hYmlU1MQmTjuBFcV3z_Ityds2VWMH7PTPX_-dGmMIhrt1UUrQDUhlsR/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyaeDzdmUCbOoJnYyuV0BkNXdRUTEe2d9KVvC5-pJK8jTcNV7D6AawalniITJkBoOswZyBMR_lyF1DbovGhn08hYmlU1MQmTjuBFcV3z_Ityds2VWMH7PTPX_-dGmMIhrt1UUrQDUhlsR/s400/image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Arnaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031800106602904510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564521449939744196.post-70147753423878215952012-01-01T20:52:00.000-05:002012-01-04T02:23:37.847-05:00Gator Bowl: University of Florida v. Ohio State University<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjT_LuHwNgSLoZz1f_OL0Kd_fhbqaUzJ-b9d0_dpt-_JZTE7bSmoyGrP1LOfc1PYAYPqpjgUhjIlbPdRHh64GRJyoZhOKSr0E-xBfQxwNvgGNUz3VaFDzQK1yZxxyBVdqz1JhxKgfv70DT/s1600/GatorBowl2012.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjT_LuHwNgSLoZz1f_OL0Kd_fhbqaUzJ-b9d0_dpt-_JZTE7bSmoyGrP1LOfc1PYAYPqpjgUhjIlbPdRHh64GRJyoZhOKSr0E-xBfQxwNvgGNUz3VaFDzQK1yZxxyBVdqz1JhxKgfv70DT/s320/GatorBowl2012.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;">by Arnaldo</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The "Urban Bowl"</span>. An unfair moniker in my opinion with Urban Meyer having nothing to do with this bowl game, but it is the featured storyline nonetheless. And why not? Florida and Ohio State are both in a dismal state of despair. They are not typically 6-6 programs, and Urban Meyer becomes the source of despair for one program, and the source of hope for the other.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkZhKN64IUR6fzhCZe_ZwAp4AqVlrkN4VwzpNsPtfHVFlk9Nuf6pnJtxPZ_ttVn0EuU7aOMBNACd2bK1iInVF0p4Zm1tgRIF0sH26KfQRyKNRVh5QDeLEbIN-M7eNhQy3pGEKxx3TuLuF/s1600/urban-meyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkZhKN64IUR6fzhCZe_ZwAp4AqVlrkN4VwzpNsPtfHVFlk9Nuf6pnJtxPZ_ttVn0EuU7aOMBNACd2bK1iInVF0p4Zm1tgRIF0sH26KfQRyKNRVh5QDeLEbIN-M7eNhQy3pGEKxx3TuLuF/s320/urban-meyer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Do battle, my children!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">What's at Stake?</span><br />
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Fans of each program who started the season with big expectations might just want to get this season over with, but there is serious pride on the line for both teams. Both narrowly escaped losing their very long bowl eligibility streaks, but at 6-6 each, one squad is going home with a losing record. Ohio State hasn't sustained a losing season since 1988 when they finished 4-6-1, their first year under John Cooper, and the Gators haven't had one since 1979 when they went 0-10-1, their first year under Charley Pell. Note that this is the longest active winning season streak in FBS.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Florida</span><br />
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<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIaRvhBxSOQxqvd9wYWGVP8ZBdtX5Kf2QW51Xmvn4sNbvHPEt7b72aZHe39HLywqA-kgvuRlEw5YGw_4IBzKq0a3eyM1F8B1MvMimBmktm9cnXLYPUB7VNLxOx8Kel7zpObD7Uf2OSh8H/s1600/500px-Florida_Gators_logo.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIaRvhBxSOQxqvd9wYWGVP8ZBdtX5Kf2QW51Xmvn4sNbvHPEt7b72aZHe39HLywqA-kgvuRlEw5YGw_4IBzKq0a3eyM1F8B1MvMimBmktm9cnXLYPUB7VNLxOx8Kel7zpObD7Uf2OSh8H/s200/500px-Florida_Gators_logo.svg.png" width="200" /></a>Year one under Will Muschamp with a new coaching staff and a new style of play, the Gators were destined for some growing pains. Combined with injuries across the field and one of the hardest schedules of all time (back to back National Championship contenders in Alabama and LSU) and the result is a soft defense and a nonexistent offense. Florida suffered its first under .500 SEC season since 1986. The most recent blow has been celebrity offensive coordinator Charlie Weis's decision to take the Kansas head coach job and forgo his play-calling duties for the Gator Bowl. Running backs coach Brian White will be taking the reins as interim offensive coordinator, effectively <a href="http://bruceandalbertxsandos.blogspot.com/2011/12/another-one-bites-dust-charlie-weis.html" target="_blank">"trying out"</a> for the still vacant job for the 2012 season. The Gators will be playing the without right tackle Matt Patchman, who sustained a back injury during practice last week, or defensive tackle Dominique Easley, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against against Florida State.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Ohio State </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-g6e3AVVCBhl5bkeuvwP7RtiMrTAhp8fD_CcJpe92x6jxsN7buvLUg03hWF59PHBO9uLp3tJUAY9z6Xcvq7qHIyqKKJx01ECp8L3RMhUhSt3Xc84DuQRZwDGSXjrXxD3hwMC8BpNjlFS/s1600/500px-Ohio_State_Buckeyes_logo.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-g6e3AVVCBhl5bkeuvwP7RtiMrTAhp8fD_CcJpe92x6jxsN7buvLUg03hWF59PHBO9uLp3tJUAY9z6Xcvq7qHIyqKKJx01ECp8L3RMhUhSt3Xc84DuQRZwDGSXjrXxD3hwMC8BpNjlFS/s200/500px-Ohio_State_Buckeyes_logo.svg.png" width="200" /></a>Ohio State is in no better shape. After the violations by players selling jerseys and other memorabilia for cash and tattoos in 2010, Jim Tressel resigned and Terrelle Pryor left to enter the supplemental draft, leaving Ohio State under interim head coach Luke Fickell and an unexpected disappointing season. Last month, the NCAA further sanctioned Ohio State with a one-year bowl ban (2012) and the loss of nine scholarships over three years, effectively punishing a team two years removed from the actions of players no longer on the team and a brand new coaching staff under Urban Meyer. Sure there's not much else the NCAA can do, but don't ever call them swift or fair. The Buckeyes went 3-5 in Big 10 competition, capping their season with a loss to archrival Michigan for the first time in seven meetings. Ohio State will be playing the Gator Bowl without injured tight end Jake Stoneburner or running back Rod Smith (unknown off-the-field reasons), but linebacker Andrew Sweat will be returning from his concussion.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Keys to Victory</span><br />
<br />
<br />
Both teams are hot and cold. Florida has had moments when they held their own against competition like Alabama and Georgia, but others when the offense is can't find a first down and the defense looks like they've never seen a run game before. Ohio State has been competitive, either winning or losing most of their games by ten or fewer points.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxfHHRk7K6wEjhUSoZV_lO779Wv9EIZNZyF9HQY-GkgMfXRad0ZTAchUpmXTf7gBkJ5god65LIgJf22-3LuzwcRfaWJaHNbSDEOEGn1UMvMorw0mkXtjXtc0tzzfLhWl6qjlGDv_HuMwj/s1600/john_brantley--300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxfHHRk7K6wEjhUSoZV_lO779Wv9EIZNZyF9HQY-GkgMfXRad0ZTAchUpmXTf7gBkJ5god65LIgJf22-3LuzwcRfaWJaHNbSDEOEGn1UMvMorw0mkXtjXtc0tzzfLhWl6qjlGDv_HuMwj/s200/john_brantley--300x300.jpg" width="200" /></a>For Florida, the key to this game is fairly simple: establish an offense. The Gators this year are either producing solid offensive gains, or stuck in neutral, 3 downs at a time. Like most games this season, it's going to come down to John Brantley and a shake offensive line. Brantley has proven he can momentarily pretend to be Tom Brady, carving chunks of field against the nation's best secondaries, and then switch gears to throw uninformed passes and consecutive interceptions. He works terribly under pressure, so a Patchmanless offensive line needs to man their gaps and give Johnny decent pocket time. Just as importantly, they'll need to run block better than they have all season to give Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps sufficient room to find open space, where they can be lethal against a slow Buckeye defense. If the Gators are to win, they'll do it the same way they did the only other time they met up with Ohio State, with speed. On defense, if the Gators can reproduce the Florida State performance, even without Dominque Easley, they should be fine. Solid tackling and containing OSU's quick-footed quarterback, Braxton Miller, are key.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-wYkj3bNODfUFREj1u8bdu6vGXRysWPj10Rnck037Es6gVGAtupPXrrByf8OGCHrgIpq6bKKJ5W2fTkMcTrK41YEL9tpq_D7xa1faabETFEWAehdmwFouwzPHJbCiWVur6aVMEFErr0x/s1600/braxton+miller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-wYkj3bNODfUFREj1u8bdu6vGXRysWPj10Rnck037Es6gVGAtupPXrrByf8OGCHrgIpq6bKKJ5W2fTkMcTrK41YEL9tpq_D7xa1faabETFEWAehdmwFouwzPHJbCiWVur6aVMEFErr0x/s320/braxton+miller.jpg" width="248" /></a>For Ohio State, it also comes down to a shaky dual-threat quarterback in true freshman Braxton Miller. While hoisting undeniable running and tackle-breaking abilities, Miller handles pressure like any true freshman would and is quick to rely on his feet. To relieve some pressure, the Buckeyes need to establish an effective run game and keep the Gators' blitz game in check. Miller needs to be kept out of impossible situations and in his comfort zone, where he passes effectively. On option runs or when the pocket does break down, which it will, Miller just needs to focus on what he does best, and take off. The Gators will put extra emphasis on containing Miller so he and his receivers need to exploit defenders who may give up on their assignments when they see him on the move for some clutch passing opportunities. On defense, the Buckeyes need to improve all around, especially their linebackers, to keep a potentially effective Florida offense in check. They can't magically get faster, so to win, they'll need to play smarter. Defensive coordinators Jim Heacock and Luke Fickell will need to prepare for anything and everything against the new play-caller in Brian White across the field.<br />
<br />
Because of the inconsistencies in both teams this season, making an accurate prediction is extra tough, but in an informed and slightly biased twist, I'm going to have to pick:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Gators over the Buckeyes 24-21 in overtime.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkIm8uGjpKQKDw8HlMzGrzu7zVBD_yQhbPdriGUaVL3ewXwR5ewhN64GClMM5yN4n1TofEDCAcXCKu5bgIiFKLK45SW1v08iL1rvePuk3tQbgseyDlKLJkfMLdqdTaTWZaJMcIVa17MlN/s1600/Gator-Bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkIm8uGjpKQKDw8HlMzGrzu7zVBD_yQhbPdriGUaVL3ewXwR5ewhN64GClMM5yN4n1TofEDCAcXCKu5bgIiFKLK45SW1v08iL1rvePuk3tQbgseyDlKLJkfMLdqdTaTWZaJMcIVa17MlN/s400/Gator-Bowl.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let's go for more of this!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>Special thanks to Chris Pinson for his Ohio State expertise.</i><br />
<br />Arnaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031800106602904510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564521449939744196.post-49801402732416927992011-12-20T15:47:00.000-05:002012-01-04T02:23:49.816-05:00Another One Bites the Dust: Charlie Weis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGIi8-39csA-tMurEtFYp4rAIUJ3eg7ThEKlYbMqH88AV6q2DsQEOgKoSkkkzd9-gz8yuPNUmrwbT4DX3dc4QjMhnthCoZ_DJFypBquRvGZlZmgTD5I1vKcDiuwZJwXI3CgJQLM6PQHhg/s1600/500px-Florida_Gators_logo.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGIi8-39csA-tMurEtFYp4rAIUJ3eg7ThEKlYbMqH88AV6q2DsQEOgKoSkkkzd9-gz8yuPNUmrwbT4DX3dc4QjMhnthCoZ_DJFypBquRvGZlZmgTD5I1vKcDiuwZJwXI3CgJQLM6PQHhg/s320/500px-Florida_Gators_logo.svg.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;">by Arnaldo</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">It's been</span> rough few years for coaching at the University of Florida. In case you haven't noticed, we've lost a top coach (head, offensive or defensive coordinator) every year since 2008: Dan Mullen, Charlie Strong, Urban Meyer, Charlie Weis. It's clear we've been feeling the effects. Stability is one of the most important aspects of a coaching staff; where would we be as a country if we switched presidents every year?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsYylNUmmZaxOOEadSY2ydi9VNnuVGgNNP5B5sU6h11TQx5vtcjCnqGkGA3K_FKd8bgqnWatA1lbN_i0MHlb7I82FjGKc28Ga2ibepWNCy1R8cChi_Bn0bBYphzDIepk2-AWJcFSPcatk/s1600/Charlie+Weis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsYylNUmmZaxOOEadSY2ydi9VNnuVGgNNP5B5sU6h11TQx5vtcjCnqGkGA3K_FKd8bgqnWatA1lbN_i0MHlb7I82FjGKc28Ga2ibepWNCy1R8cChi_Bn0bBYphzDIepk2-AWJcFSPcatk/s200/Charlie+Weis.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone pointed out we don't need<br />
his "fupa" around anyway.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since Charlie's hiring as Florida's offensive coordinator, many fans have had mixed feelings about his possible contributions and whether or not he would fit in the culture we have. As I've said, I was a Weis fan, along with many Gator fans. Dub, however, stands on the other side of the ropes. He feels Weis was a big sexy hire by a new coach who felt like he had to make a splash to get Gator fans excited.<br />
<br />
We have the most demanding fans in the nation, at any level, in any sport. It's a culture that was rebuilt by Urban Meyer and his all-star coaching staff, which can only lead to heartbreak. From 2005-2009 (Urban's glory years at Florida) we had one single digit win season, and three 13 win seasons, all of which resulting in a BCS National Championship or BCS Bowl victory. Our team was so hypercompetetive, that we as fans grew to accept nothing less than elite national contention year in and year out.<br />
<br />
Coach Muschamp stepped into a position where he had to make noise immediately. He had to get someone as flashy and as storied as the Florida program had been during it's streak of absolute dominance. He went after the man who coached the offense of the New England Patriots during their historic "3 out of 4" Super bowl run, circa 2001-2004.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">So What Now?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5wky_R03tsWFBCJPdG2Uro7GC_zuOsk4M5zq4C6nL5eRAsW7q5wLdVHt4b5qLgiZmZkY25bVtBNt1_d8MiX29cFtuHY1dqE-gZNXS2io2z9lxBhCepUX6TqcfPfT0qUu_NEfiS1m204B/s1600/GatorBowl2012.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5wky_R03tsWFBCJPdG2Uro7GC_zuOsk4M5zq4C6nL5eRAsW7q5wLdVHt4b5qLgiZmZkY25bVtBNt1_d8MiX29cFtuHY1dqE-gZNXS2io2z9lxBhCepUX6TqcfPfT0qUu_NEfiS1m204B/s200/GatorBowl2012.png" width="200" /></a>First and foremost, there's a bowl game to be played. In situations like these, a departing coach makes the decision to stay to coach the bowl game, or get a head start at his new institution, familiarizing himself with the team, fellow coaches, perhaps hire new coaches, recruiting, etc. When Dan Mullen accepted a head coach position, he stuck around to coach the 2008 National Championship game, but it seems a 6 win Gator Bowl isn't enough to keep Charlie Weis around. This promotes current running backs Brian White to interim offensive coordinator, which has its advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, he hasn't called plays since 2007 at Syracuse, but on the other, Ohio State has absolutely nothing to study and must prepare for everything.<br />
<br />
Now let's look at some candidates to replace Charlie Weis.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Leading Candidate: Kerwin Bell</span><br />
<br />
<br />
Who's Kerwin Bell? Kerwin Bell is probably Florida's most prolific quarterback not to win a Heisman Trophy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxGh49gVS73xM_U1J1GCHhi-1ghq5Q4kpybHO8CpSThFfucwWyHXJNrq3B2BSrLEK1J0A49I1tAYIgXezDiW33qM8b4gBdjkLDQ-dPbRq_swlXc19C1kIabWZymQ9lbB9uTvaTlcQq_4y/s1600/Zuniga_Gator_Legends_f6_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxGh49gVS73xM_U1J1GCHhi-1ghq5Q4kpybHO8CpSThFfucwWyHXJNrq3B2BSrLEK1J0A49I1tAYIgXezDiW33qM8b4gBdjkLDQ-dPbRq_swlXc19C1kIabWZymQ9lbB9uTvaTlcQq_4y/s320/Zuniga_Gator_Legends_f6_large.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's even in the "Gator Legends" painting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixnSg52nMM5Lv2ByBUS8Hh1Y7ZsRBTEs0CvnUwJnp-kqy_CCJqdL97YOoIQOw7_KFtsRG8ziwAGuBouzbBub1QyAL6-q2rUyY5y7OrmXKaxhhFX6ZOg_UR-xvex1Oq19Z3E0QpPsf-Jh7/s1600/jesse-palmer-retire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixnSg52nMM5Lv2ByBUS8Hh1Y7ZsRBTEs0CvnUwJnp-kqy_CCJqdL97YOoIQOw7_KFtsRG8ziwAGuBouzbBub1QyAL6-q2rUyY5y7OrmXKaxhhFX6ZOg_UR-xvex1Oq19Z3E0QpPsf-Jh7/s200/jesse-palmer-retire.jpg" width="158" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suck it Palmer!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Bell walked on to the 1983 Florida team as a quarterback and earned a scholarship and the starting job the following year. He led that team to a 9-1-1 record, an SEC championship (later vacated), and a No. 3 AP end-of-season ranking. The following year was a repeat 9-1-1 record and atop the SEC (though ineligible to hold title or bowl game). Bell was awarded SEC Player of the Year in 1984, finished honorable mention All-American in 1985 and 1986, first team All-SEC in 1985, and received Florida's Fergie Ferguson Award as a team captain his senior year. While at Florida he passed for 7,585 yards and 56 touchdowns. In 1997, he was inducted into UF's Athletic Hall of Fame as a "Gator Great".<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmQaTrojRTuYD5lD7ku10mKdi2jWldb8wXjb2EG6AtaFzScLYVOwcnV6HToThnX6XFZs6ev2kTIZrv-zUA2JYpUbCJnzJyAbVhiC-S01TzDRI_DDirP6mLzDOHTt4rwfay1GTD9wlm95g/s1600/bell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmQaTrojRTuYD5lD7ku10mKdi2jWldb8wXjb2EG6AtaFzScLYVOwcnV6HToThnX6XFZs6ev2kTIZrv-zUA2JYpUbCJnzJyAbVhiC-S01TzDRI_DDirP6mLzDOHTt4rwfay1GTD9wlm95g/s320/bell.jpg" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No joke: voted 2nd ugliest football <br />
uniforms ever on an ESPN fan poll.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Drafted in the seventh round by the Miami Dolphins, Kerwin Bell didn't see the field despite being traded twice. He played for several non-NFL teams before landing a spot in 1996 for the Indianapolis Colts where in week 15 was put in late for his only NFL appearance. Interestingly, he completed five for five passes and one touchdown, giving him the highest passer rating in NFL history. <br />
<br />
Bell began coaching as the offensive coordinator for the Toronto Argonauts for the 2000 and 2001 seasons. He then was the head coach for Trinity Catholic High School from 2001 to 2006, where he briefly coached our very own John Brantley, and led the Celtics to a state championship. This led to the head coaching job at Jacksonville University. He took a 3-8 Dolphins squad and made them a 9-4 Pioneer Football League champions in 2007. 2008 had Bell recognized as the PFL Coach of the Year and a finalist for the Eddie Robinson award. His 2010 squad went 10-1 and ranked No. 22 in the FCS, an all-time high for the young program. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyaxw3C5j_yFwKNAOMKENAVItWNPlVwsrHESf3L1xGrarB_93Z1Be91jvRdHFtSqIKMu4MwEJbvJpviaMpszvIHR8fbc5KKfKtbY6z1tHcb1b8vn0engQl1bu6n9XOkAI2MvRxuxxj1z0l/s1600/kerwin_bell_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyaxw3C5j_yFwKNAOMKENAVItWNPlVwsrHESf3L1xGrarB_93Z1Be91jvRdHFtSqIKMu4MwEJbvJpviaMpszvIHR8fbc5KKfKtbY6z1tHcb1b8vn0engQl1bu6n9XOkAI2MvRxuxxj1z0l/s200/kerwin_bell_1.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-qtUIP8nTmUSie-vdlSViUKqQe0uFzcLf9Jw4_m5bUugnpO7lYOTD2vuoYQiTQy14qe-gWAYMjqz_HBW10IuYBQwIfEYecHZn7G_NzSrMjKUcM3f0LCv9s95wptcLu5fWv6WL78ioCOa/s1600/Jacksonville.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-qtUIP8nTmUSie-vdlSViUKqQe0uFzcLf9Jw4_m5bUugnpO7lYOTD2vuoYQiTQy14qe-gWAYMjqz_HBW10IuYBQwIfEYecHZn7G_NzSrMjKUcM3f0LCv9s95wptcLu5fWv6WL78ioCOa/s200/Jacksonville.png" width="200" /></a>It is clear that Kerwin Bell has an immense talent for coaching, and has sufficient experience in running an offense as a quarterback, coordinator, and head coach. Also, he is very familiar with the recruiting landscape in Florida, having played and coached almost exclusively therein. Will Muschamp has stated he is looking for a coordinator who is very proficient with a pro-style game and assures the Gator Nation he will hire "the nation's best offensive coordinator." He has already interviewed Bell, but the nature of the interview was kept private. No official decision has been made.<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Secondary Candidate: Brian White</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDTDCeiYwt-sOEXzHBKacRx_OfqtzkpPv0IR1S6YmBsfNMDqNYJVc1MXlNIFd7whpWNdUr9Ksy-1_fOa0n75rab6-C6q6TdfYk0mNxyNQ_DqAWtXPr-jm5sSwD3iv_9DwypvuKdziYx_I/s1600/Wisconsin.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDTDCeiYwt-sOEXzHBKacRx_OfqtzkpPv0IR1S6YmBsfNMDqNYJVc1MXlNIFd7whpWNdUr9Ksy-1_fOa0n75rab6-C6q6TdfYk0mNxyNQ_DqAWtXPr-jm5sSwD3iv_9DwypvuKdziYx_I/s200/Wisconsin.png" width="200" /></a>Brian White, as mentioned earlier, will be the interim offensive coordinator for the Gator Bowl this January. He is officially our running backs' coach and is one of the only staff members retained by Will Muschamp from Urban Meyer's administration. Meyer hired him days after the 2008 National Championship game as the tight ends' coach. White served the University of Wisconsin for 11 years, under icon Barry Alvarez, as running backs' coach and offensive coordinator in 1999. He led the Wisconsin offense to its Big Ten prominence it still enjoys today, and earned an Assistant Coach of the Year award in 2004. He was the unfortunate collateral damage of Alvarez's retirement from coaching in 2005. White made his way to Washington and Syracuse as offensive coordinator before Urban Meyer brought him to Florida.<br />
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It is uncertain if he's been interviewed for the position since he is already part of the program. However, White has a giant opportunity calling plays at the Gator Bowl to impress Muschamp and secure his future at Florida. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOpIJjxsWLnZH9xRiKSdE3YIOR_aP1wLy6wYsKLUPkT8dVeMQLYphsf9AMUq0H20oxZ9G1dzdCVq0NiDeawXUlrFbfYlpPIN5We9smoZdxIeRHhbMNdOo6U-fe3uCYoIf0BlcPg56eh1k/s1600/109WhiteBrian1104091392TCasey-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOpIJjxsWLnZH9xRiKSdE3YIOR_aP1wLy6wYsKLUPkT8dVeMQLYphsf9AMUq0H20oxZ9G1dzdCVq0NiDeawXUlrFbfYlpPIN5We9smoZdxIeRHhbMNdOo6U-fe3uCYoIf0BlcPg56eh1k/s200/109WhiteBrian1104091392TCasey-L.jpg" width="160" /></a>His advantage over Kewin Bell: extensive resume. His disadvantage: his extensive resume. Let me explain. Assistant coaches who have high level experience (offensive/defensive coordinator) coupled with success, do not last. They'll receive head coaching jobs elsewhere that will pay much better. One of the reasons behind hiring Weis was that he already tried head coaching and was not very successful; we thought it was unlikely he would receive, or accept, head coaching offers. If we choose Brian White and have a successful year, there is a risk he'll be noticed again and picked up. Kerwin Bell, on the other hand, has no FBS experience and shouldn't be offered another job, no matter how much success he has, for at least three years. Keep in mind that what the Gators need now more than ever is stability.<br />
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We aren't in the business of speculation so we won't go into detail on any other possible candidates. However, he is a list of some being mentioned:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Todd Monken</i> - Oklahoma State offensive coordinator</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Major Applewhite</i> - Texas co-offensive coordinator</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Greg Davis</i> - Former Texas offensive coordinator</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564521449939744196.post-71193656061108727362011-12-16T19:54:00.001-05:002012-01-04T02:24:13.526-05:00Letter to the Editor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoohJqxZ9hjuOW2DVMr_qB4IxEHHy1gLsaK51MuLbDAS_uY_lWUCFDMUNKmOcXyHC881NLC8plwcL1enlh1kgvmFXifF4_jRtgsSfrSDdtuUn4mOPPVhItNNMXTVIa8HkxGTbryncO-UX-/s1600/buccaneers.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoohJqxZ9hjuOW2DVMr_qB4IxEHHy1gLsaK51MuLbDAS_uY_lWUCFDMUNKmOcXyHC881NLC8plwcL1enlh1kgvmFXifF4_jRtgsSfrSDdtuUn4mOPPVhItNNMXTVIa8HkxGTbryncO-UX-/s320/buccaneers.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Dear Bucs,</span><br />
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Before I begin, let me openly state that I have been a fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization since I was old enough to hold a football. My entire family is from the bay area, and I have been a fan through thick and thin; through 12-4 Superbowl winning seasons, and through 4-12, not-so-super seasons. One thing has always seemed constant, among the winning and the losing seasons, though. One thing I have never seen the Buccaneers do is play without heart. <br />
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Maybe it's our lack of vocal, outspoken leaders. Maybe it's having the youngest team in the league. Maybe the culture of the NFL has changed so that the focus is less on pleasing the fans, and more on personal goals and gains. Maybe undisciplined football, poor technique, and little effort is what this team is all about. We started out 4-2 this season, hit a rough stretch, and gave up like a little kid who gets beat in a game, saying "well I didn't want to win anyway". What you don't realize is that you play for a lot more than yourself or this team. You are a source of inspiration for people everywhere, and to see you get shellacked by a bad Jaguars team leaves quite a bit to be desired. </div>
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What you, and the other 31 teams in the NFL, have forgotten is that we are the biggest reason you play this game. America can survive without football. The NFL can't survive without viewers. You can read this and pull a LeBron and say "I don't care what you think, because at the end of the day, I'm still an NFL player, and you're still a sad, broke fan". Or, you can read this and realize that you are a highlight in some of our lives. You play for our favorite teams. We wouldn't rather cheer for anyone else, and we will stick with you until the last seconds of every game. Watching you play warms our hearts, and we will root for you any day of the week, but you have to know that we can not tolerate the indifferent acceptance of mediocrity, the "meh" that we've been seeing on the field the last couple of weeks. As my parents taught me, if it's worth doing, it's worth giving 100%. Go Bucs.<br />
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Love, <br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Fans</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i><br />
If you have a letter to the editor in reference to the Gators, Bucs, or general football topics, e-mail it to us at bruceandalbertxsandos@gmail.com</div>
</div>Arnaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031800106602904510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564521449939744196.post-61503713062931682482011-12-16T12:41:00.000-05:002012-01-04T02:24:33.545-05:00Xs and Os: Basic Offense<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9-tnNnVFPDw7RG4jkQZOG9D42mpm4aHBsxBlK7_YfCFrey2GfCJ20oW8d24X6S6i-mw8-M1MEjyRRJVB7bk0lekaoZBY289pbAwKSsvpNafrnKp6SvNzv_3rMHKNtluHrfstQiW0G33a/s1600/xsandos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9-tnNnVFPDw7RG4jkQZOG9D42mpm4aHBsxBlK7_YfCFrey2GfCJ20oW8d24X6S6i-mw8-M1MEjyRRJVB7bk0lekaoZBY289pbAwKSsvpNafrnKp6SvNzv_3rMHKNtluHrfstQiW0G33a/s320/xsandos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">by Arnaldo</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">As we</span> all know, there are two ways of advancing the football: running and passing. There are dozens of different ways to execute each of those, however. In this <i>Xs and Os</i>, we'll be looking at types of offensive plays, with some detail into specific plays. <a href="http://bruceandalbertxsandos.blogspot.com/2011/11/xs-and-os-offensive-positions.html">Here's</a> a review of offensive positions, if you need one.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Running Plays</span><br />
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Today's football strives for a 50:50 distribution of run and pass plays, but at its origins, football was strictly run oriented. A run play is much more than just a hand off to a running back. The entire offense has a job to do, from different routes to formations and blocking schemes. Essentially, a run is defined by two things: the formation and the play. We're going to focus on the plays instead of the formation, but keep in mind most of these can be adapted into most common formations.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhmV1WHn7-7offcp-ik0BNNI4bBKI3JYXOtjGAiDbu1bz_w1cssV3af1n1gnvchEwWjTMm-uBG6F5KPM-v4XAcg2L7HNLpsWyVmqqVVqDAYXSJKpdKRH4vMq9-faNYlBw8cfrLOU6XvkH/s1600/dive.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhmV1WHn7-7offcp-ik0BNNI4bBKI3JYXOtjGAiDbu1bz_w1cssV3af1n1gnvchEwWjTMm-uBG6F5KPM-v4XAcg2L7HNLpsWyVmqqVVqDAYXSJKpdKRH4vMq9-faNYlBw8cfrLOU6XvkH/s320/dive.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Dive</span> - A dive play consists of a the half back receiving the ball and running straight forward into the A-gap (the gaps between the center and either guard). Typically the full back will run ahead and serve as the lead blocker, though dive plays can be run out of formations without full backs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8E8XPLnKUUW5HPLoGnQUge9bZA-aYUTgsxpJlGBBvRNYPDjQG_V9mzfRG8B5qXFt3pu7pm-LclfTRWde6TPjAq0EsySHyQcTtFU-xjf2Ne4rsxCwoKaejqEGMME9C1IF_q_TO3Cd_X6gz/s1600/power.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8E8XPLnKUUW5HPLoGnQUge9bZA-aYUTgsxpJlGBBvRNYPDjQG_V9mzfRG8B5qXFt3pu7pm-LclfTRWde6TPjAq0EsySHyQcTtFU-xjf2Ne4rsxCwoKaejqEGMME9C1IF_q_TO3Cd_X6gz/s320/power.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Power</span> - a power run consists of an angled exchange between the quarterback and half back, leading the half back into a route towards either the B-gap (gap between a guard and a tackle) or the C-gap (between a tackle and a tight end). There is typically a full back as the lead blocker (but again not necessary), and there is always a pulling guard from the backside (the side where the play is not developing, opposing the playside). "Pulling" refers to a player leaving his usual post to block elsewhere. This is one of the most common run plays in football.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9X2-ESz6hQd8v30zhMUSVljK0LFFLa4wa4NeuN7my8TfrYmN0Hzz-5ecuPRSdsXV9yTzBUBrqkdJgLSQwOlHHEBYRC61Iiqw1c87wSCpxIxnIqK68hBm9XHUDnZ-9827aNz8YK4qi0Lgf/s1600/counter.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9X2-ESz6hQd8v30zhMUSVljK0LFFLa4wa4NeuN7my8TfrYmN0Hzz-5ecuPRSdsXV9yTzBUBrqkdJgLSQwOlHHEBYRC61Iiqw1c87wSCpxIxnIqK68hBm9XHUDnZ-9827aNz8YK4qi0Lgf/s320/counter.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Counter</span> - a counter run starts like a power run, but after the half back takes one or two steps in one direction, he cuts to the opposite direction. The counter technique can be applied to more than just the power run, but is most commonly so. It is designed to trick linebackers to start moving to one side, only to be delayed in recognizing and reaching the true play side.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2U9lrbD3fcqPqr4GG0ZHWQCpSa5ZLBkzSmoNhjqPLK4K-zfGhMHsL5ia5fGBWaECqhzA-NTbKfuIfzuoKtKjyE7t0nRWXkyQRh62F423FQX8SruJTcQOnBCP7zTsAHOH-iq-OetAEBx4M/s1600/tosssweep.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2U9lrbD3fcqPqr4GG0ZHWQCpSa5ZLBkzSmoNhjqPLK4K-zfGhMHsL5ia5fGBWaECqhzA-NTbKfuIfzuoKtKjyE7t0nRWXkyQRh62F423FQX8SruJTcQOnBCP7zTsAHOH-iq-OetAEBx4M/s320/tosssweep.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dotted lines denote toss</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sweep</span> - a sweep refers to the direction of the running route and can be run several different ways. The route moves directly outwards towards the sideline and curves up towards the endzone, beyond the tackles. There are 3 basic sweeps: Toss, QB, and jet. A toss sweep, the most popular, usually run out of an Ace or I-formation, involves the quarterback turn around and toss the football back to the half back as he begins running the sweep route.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SRYrx5-cKmXRgyqIXDGW-ZhYwfErtkyaq7AOM4HvuVTfbpBmInF25ee5LVFzyvI36Bhqx7fzp-bNoNAu_i36kAmfrCQyQKnvLowk7VcSVwbyJFNb5BQF2hemfywf-Wu0klBp4PjpCsak/s1600/qbsweep.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SRYrx5-cKmXRgyqIXDGW-ZhYwfErtkyaq7AOM4HvuVTfbpBmInF25ee5LVFzyvI36Bhqx7fzp-bNoNAu_i36kAmfrCQyQKnvLowk7VcSVwbyJFNb5BQF2hemfywf-Wu0klBp4PjpCsak/s320/qbsweep.png" width="320" /></a>A QB sweep is a sweep patter ran by the quarterback himself. It can be run out of almost any formation and is popular in the <a href="http://bruceandalbertxsandos.blogspot.com/2011/12/xs-and-os-option.html">spread option</a> style where quarterbacks are typically mobile. The jet sweep has the backside slot receiver in motion before the snap towards the quarterback. The ball is snapped as the receiver is close and immediately handed off to the receiver who is already at near top speed. This is a great way to get the ball quickly to the outside, before the majority of the defense can react. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KZ_SphmgTIvt0IWY6ww4HZReSYHDNByClSSCZUQld5DlopJ5K9MwwrFKUdlC5_ANl68_klYrr9yV_0kQJU4KcoU2h4VGzrpKrQOU587QF6vZkWSQPSD8EQ4Yto3-S9toLadoMMdDTsi5/s1600/jetsweep.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KZ_SphmgTIvt0IWY6ww4HZReSYHDNByClSSCZUQld5DlopJ5K9MwwrFKUdlC5_ANl68_klYrr9yV_0kQJU4KcoU2h4VGzrpKrQOU587QF6vZkWSQPSD8EQ4Yto3-S9toLadoMMdDTsi5/s320/jetsweep.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green denotes pre-snap motion</td></tr>
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The jet sweep is also ran effectively from a empty backfield set, where the quarterback is alone in the backfield and the defense does not expect a run play without a running back on the field.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoem0aJFl9hIHtsS2669lVmpVF9U-5dWTO_muV4pyTabSF-xSFqF4sPU_fDhskMhI2kBQi_6DNIEaRX7RjP7EohenV-wTswBPsdTi3i7N7LaDNblcVABklj5RyIRSmHjFMtwhk928pMEQE/s1600/fbrun.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoem0aJFl9hIHtsS2669lVmpVF9U-5dWTO_muV4pyTabSF-xSFqF4sPU_fDhskMhI2kBQi_6DNIEaRX7RjP7EohenV-wTswBPsdTi3i7N7LaDNblcVABklj5RyIRSmHjFMtwhk928pMEQE/s320/fbrun.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">FB run</span> - a full back run refers to any run play where the full back is the designated ballcarrier (excluding the option). This is typically ran out of the I-formation but again can be run from where ever there's a full back. The play sacrifices a lead blocker but gains an element of surprise. The fullback is much closer to the line of scrimmage and so the play takes off in less than half the time as a conventional dive play. Also, full backs are typically larger and stronger than half backs and can push through defenses. Some instances have the full back actually switch to the half back position for extra momentum on short yardage situations (see Mike Alstott).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3wCrhsc-O-tKrq31YhS9VSCDfeOQ3OZ2YxPXhnMgjC8GARessL2UW5oBrsaAyg5-6MBd45povcgTEkDnpUhEjtUARFrKbT0ncrHRtXvdvjm9uVS9LuxXQKtmNsXS1_8nS0Sk73vdw-RJ/s1600/qbsneak.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3wCrhsc-O-tKrq31YhS9VSCDfeOQ3OZ2YxPXhnMgjC8GARessL2UW5oBrsaAyg5-6MBd45povcgTEkDnpUhEjtUARFrKbT0ncrHRtXvdvjm9uVS9LuxXQKtmNsXS1_8nS0Sk73vdw-RJ/s320/qbsneak.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">QB sneak</span> - a run designed for the quarterback from under center. As the name implies, the play is sneaky. From under center, the quarterback wastes no time to hand the ball off to anyone and immediately starts forward progress. This play is fairly commonly used in very short yardage situations (inches). Most of the responsibility actually lies with the center and the two guards to push the defense enough for the quarterback to get the ball passed the first down marker, inches away.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Draw</span> - a draw is any type of run that is first disguised as a pass. The key in recognizing (and executing) a draw is a delayed hand-off. The quarterback will take his drop into the pocket as if looking for receivers, but then hand the ball off. Draws can be made out of almost all conventional run plays where the quarterback can at least appear to be passing. In offenses with mobile quarterbacks, the quarterback himself can run the ball in a QB draw. Draws are a way to open up running lanes by "drawing" linebackers back into coverage as they expect a pass.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Passing Plays</span><br />
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Passing plays are nothing but a combination of different parts: formation/personnel, routes, and protection. Each formation puts a different number of receivers in different places on the field. Formations can put together a different combination of wide receivers, tight ends, full backs, and half backs, but all of these are eligible receivers. Each runs a different route that is predetermined, and the quarterback has a "progression" of receivers he will try to throw too on each play. A half back or full back might run a short route and wait as a last resort, called a "checkdown". Alternatively, the half back or full back, or both, may stay in the pocket to help the offensive line block for the quarterback, which is referred to as "max protect". I intend on delving into formations later on, so for now let's look at some common routes.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Slant </span>- a slant route is one of the more common patterns. It has the receiver run directly at a 45 degree (or less) angle from the line of scrimmage. Slants may be towards the center of the field or away.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hitch/comeback/curl/hook</span> - these are a group of routes that are all fairly similar. Each has the receiver run straight forward (towards the endzone), stops, and turns around to make the catch. Hitch routes are shorter (two or three steps before turning) while curls and hooks are longer (four or five yards). These are common checkdown routes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrVkJgVU-qdDemMoVIUmAinlqq65JMsg7n1yqULFnvibhB7JIM6sDULW2cIXl7JR7kO9-bEMQu3oQT62VOmTvsea30PRoc4d_qhyphenhyphen8KgQsWsMvjanmxhQ9uf5SZlzjHjLlwbYOPfHT-bdE/s1600/Football+Tree+%2528Resized%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrVkJgVU-qdDemMoVIUmAinlqq65JMsg7n1yqULFnvibhB7JIM6sDULW2cIXl7JR7kO9-bEMQu3oQT62VOmTvsea30PRoc4d_qhyphenhyphen8KgQsWsMvjanmxhQ9uf5SZlzjHjLlwbYOPfHT-bdE/s1600/Football+Tree+%2528Resized%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">* From the right side of the field (slot or Z receiver)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Go/fly/seam</span> - a go route has the receiver go in a straight line directly towards the endzone. Hail Mary plays consist of four or five of these.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Post </span>- a post route begins like a go route but cuts into an angle towards the center of the field (the goal post).<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Corner</span> - a corner route is the opposite of a post route where it begins like a go route straight forward but cuts in an angle towards the sidelines.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Drag/in</span> - a drag or an in route has the receiver take a few steps forward and then cut at a 90 degree angle towards the center of the field.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Out</span> - an out route is the opposite of a drag route, where the receiver will take a few steps and then cut 90 degrees towards the sidelines.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Flat</span> - a flat route is ran exclusively by running backs that start near the quarterback, and run directly towards the sidelines. Flat routes may be flat or slanted. They can also be used for a lateral pass that won't count as a forward pass, allowing the receiver to then make a forward pass himself, which is considered a trick play.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wheel</span> - a wheel route is also usually ran out of the backfield (though less commonly also by wide receivers). It starts as a flat route that cuts 90 degrees towards the endzone.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sluggo</span> - a sluggo route is a "slant and go". After the receiver makes his initial slant cut, he makes another cut into a go route to shake off his defender.<br />
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These routes combine with formations to form specific passing plays, like "all slants" or "double sluggo".<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Unconventional Passing</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Play-action pass </span>- play-action passes are like draw runs but reversed. They are passes disguised as runs. The quarterback will fake a hand-off with a running back, who will fake "running the ball". The quarterback then resets himself into the pocket and makes his pass. Most passing plays can be made into a play-action pass with the addition of the running fake. It has its advantages and disadvantages. Play-action passes take much longer to develop and requires the quarterback to read his progression much quicker since the play has been in motion for some time before he sets in the pocket. This extra time also makes the quarterback more susceptible to pressure and sacks. If executed well, its advantages outweigh these. Defenses first need to recognize the play as a run or pass. If fooled into a run, they might forget their coverage assignments and pursue the ball carrier, leaving receivers wide open. Even a small hesitation by linebackers or cornerbacks can be exploited by an experienced quarterback.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Flea-flicker</span> - the flea-flicker is a more extreme play-action pass. In a flea-flicker, the quarterback will actually hand off the ball to a running back, who will then take a step or two with the ball, stop, turn around, and toss it back to the quarterback, who then makes a pass. The flea-flicker is rare because it shares the same advantages and disadvantages of the play-action pass, but amplified; high risk, high reward.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Andrew Luck on a simple flea-flicker</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Screen pass</span> - a screen pass is a specially designed pass. As I mentioned earlier, on a pass play, the quarterback goes through a progression of potential receivers. Screen passes are designed with one receiver in mind, and moves other players around him to block for after the catch. There are several types of screen passes but two I want to focus on.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bubble screen</span> - a bubble screen is thrown to an outside reciever (X or Z) as makes a "bubble" route behind and around the slot receiver. It can also be thrown to a slot receiver as he makes a bubble route around the outside receiver. The other receiver serves as his lead blocker.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqF-mUuatJPkbVbfGv8VuiC0Saoih1_vGCpSj5L8rJ8JEBMoLMrzBTIgCg1bAzawvL2umyf-JtCSsX1TZqVAiwNBruVqtHfi2zAgKpw8kHOMtFw7NFJ4Rg_dubNOMP7Gacm7mxrRZZzig/s1600/stick-slowscreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqF-mUuatJPkbVbfGv8VuiC0Saoih1_vGCpSj5L8rJ8JEBMoLMrzBTIgCg1bAzawvL2umyf-JtCSsX1TZqVAiwNBruVqtHfi2zAgKpw8kHOMtFw7NFJ4Rg_dubNOMP7Gacm7mxrRZZzig/s320/stick-slowscreen.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the pulling linemen</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Slip screen</span> - a slip screen is the most common screen pass. Three offensive linemen (center and guards) will block for only a moment, leave their assignments and move the pocket towards a sideline with a running back following. The quarterback is left alone and typically finds himself backing up several yards as the unblocked defensive linemen pursue. Once the "side pocket" is formed and clear of defenders, the quarterback makes the easy pass to the running back, who now has several blockers ahead of him. It takes very experienced defensive linemen to recognize this play as it develops and react appropriately.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bootleg</span> - the bootleg is really both a run and a pass play. The bootleg refers to the route ran by a quarterback on certain play-action passes. It begins with the normal fake hand off but instead of setting himself in the pocket, the quarterback will look for receivers in a run towards the sidelines (concealing the ball behind his hip like a bootlegger). A half back or full back might serve as his lead blocker for protection or if the quarterback decides to tuck the ball and run it himself. If no blocker accompanies him, it is called a "naked bootleg". Several conventional running plays will have the quarterback run the bootleg route without the ball anyway to try to confuse the defense and to set up the bootleg play-action. Bootleg passing and running are integral components in several offensive philosophies.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Peyton Manning on a bootleg keep</span></div>Arnaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031800106602904510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564521449939744196.post-11007657068157508032011-12-05T19:53:00.001-05:002012-01-04T02:24:52.311-05:00Heismanology<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">by Arnaldo</span><i style="font-size: xx-large;"> </i></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Heismanology:</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> the study behind the assessment of players and their skills, and their likelihood of being awarded the Heisman Trophy.</span></div>
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The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award is the single most coveted award in sports. Only 56 living persons can call themselves Heisman Trophy winners. That title will accompany their names for as long as they live, and will be uttered just about every time they are mentioned.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGPZ1BiFZ5OxLJl0zucDczOqZmWypsTxcDt72Xn5HOS1CaBjnwe_I4BIsIIdgg4zksJL0_oknPmUjiMOdq3GmxXP6EyWrKRqP4LQaocQBC9U9fRJD66zLr4iT2GZRzNV-KOk6-einlsiz/s1600/SIMPSON_HEISMAN_colo2k_t440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGPZ1BiFZ5OxLJl0zucDczOqZmWypsTxcDt72Xn5HOS1CaBjnwe_I4BIsIIdgg4zksJL0_oknPmUjiMOdq3GmxXP6EyWrKRqP4LQaocQBC9U9fRJD66zLr4iT2GZRzNV-KOk6-einlsiz/s200/SIMPSON_HEISMAN_colo2k_t440.jpg" width="175" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How do you not trust this face?</td></tr>
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The Heisman Trophy is presented to the <i>most outstanding</i> college football player. That term is important because it's supposed to mean the "pursuit of excellence with integrity", which its recipients are expected to represent. 2005 Heisman recipient Reggie Bush returned his trophy when allegations of NCAA violations arose, but interestingly enough, O.J. Simpson still has his. So when looking at Heisman candidates, unlike other awards where stats are read and trophies are appropriately awarded, the Heisman Trophy requires its voters to take several different factors into consideration. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Who is considered?</span><br />
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Who gets chosen to compete for the Heisman is a delicate subject open to much debate. It's why the term <i>Heismanology</i> exists. How do we compare a quarterback to a running back? Where to defensive backs fit it? And what if there's a REALLY good offensive lineman? Shouldn't he be able to receive the award?<br />
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All legitimate questions. Unfortunately, there are no conversion factors for passing touchdowns to rushing yards or tackles for loss made. Instead, voters have to rate a player in his position and compare him to other players in theirs. But at least players within the same position are easy to compare, right? Give it to the quarterback with the most passing yards. Done... Still not that easy. There are other factors which need to be considered. How did that player earn those statistics, and against what competition? Conferences and strengths of schedule are all factors which are heavily considered. Another significant intangible is referred to as "Heisman moments". Voters and fans like to see candidates have a big plays around the end of the season, despite their progress throughout the entire year. This is purely political and subjective, but unfortunately it has a huge influence on voters. Minor factors include players' activities off the field, and how they influence their team's moral and performance.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cast on your non-throwing<br />
arm? How original.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1P_ZltGqOQ42PTgz_nQBCo2s0vH2pAeNHv6K9BtNXXOT-paNqo2EsASr6PvL4ZeYJ-EtLwXkXgf1PJcpLWX10536pcbj-Uh4MdDwCNqUhMSj3vU4cXg2HbhNYwXUiPAqUQNl2LV6dZVZ/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1P_ZltGqOQ42PTgz_nQBCo2s0vH2pAeNHv6K9BtNXXOT-paNqo2EsASr6PvL4ZeYJ-EtLwXkXgf1PJcpLWX10536pcbj-Uh4MdDwCNqUhMSj3vU4cXg2HbhNYwXUiPAqUQNl2LV6dZVZ/s200/images.jpg" width="146" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim Tebow: trend setter.</td></tr>
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For example, in 2008, the top two candidates were Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow. Tebow had just won the award the previous year and had to compete against himself as well as Bradford, but team circumstances prevented Tebow from achieving the same stats. The Gators were winning games by very comfortable margins and sitting Tebow early in the 4th quarter (sometimes in the 3rd) and had more playmakers to spread the wealth, so his stats were naturally less impressive, though Tebow was widely regarded as much improved from '07. Oklahoma had a very similar season winning the same number of games by giant margins, but while Tebow was sitting on the bench, Bradford was still throwing touchdowns late into games. Voters were forced to choose between who they believe was more skilled, or who was having a more outstanding season. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">How are they voted on? </span><br />
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The Heisman recipient is chosen by mostly football journalist, because they are "informed, competent, and impartial." 145 media voters are chosen from each of six regions for a total of 870 media votes. All living Heisman winners also get a vote, totaling 56 (Reggie Bush is ineligible, but somehow O.J. is, though it's not certain if he's allowed to vote while imprisoned). One last vote is given to a fan poll on ESPN.com.<br />
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Voters are given access to an online ballot where they enter their top three candidates in order. Each first place votes receives 3 points, second place votes get 2 points, and third places votes receive 1 point. The candidate with the most points is awarded the Heisman. This brings up another BCS-style controversy. Under this system, a candidate could receive the most first place votes but not win the Heisman, as long as another candidate accumulates enough second and third place votes. Back to 2008; Tim Tebow had the most first place votes, but Sam Bradford won the trophy with a flood of second place votes. Think this through: most people felt Sam Bradford was the second most outstanding player in college football and he won the Heisman. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">2011 candidates</span><br />
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Andrew Luck #12 - Quarterback, Stanford<br />
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Trent Richardson #3 - Running back, Alabama<br />
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Robert Griffin III #10 - Quarterback, Baylor<br />
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Montee Ball #28 - Running back, Wisconsin<br />
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Tyrann Mathieu #7 - Cornerback, LSU<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Tuv2iU_BTbirn9gNLe6anQ4B1rr4Uw4OrUIFLNo44UnU4kTEac1PCVdzLwcB17q0FHjSh5xhKgpeKnrj4FgKDTh2ItvhTBI0M14_GgkDJxO2CGYkSTYLVJhYLf5vmnw484LiaqNmaUL0/s1600/andrew-luck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Tuv2iU_BTbirn9gNLe6anQ4B1rr4Uw4OrUIFLNo44UnU4kTEac1PCVdzLwcB17q0FHjSh5xhKgpeKnrj4FgKDTh2ItvhTBI0M14_GgkDJxO2CGYkSTYLVJhYLf5vmnw484LiaqNmaUL0/s200/andrew-luck.jpg" width="145" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Andrew Luck</span> has be revered as the most complete and NFL-ready quarterback. Not only is he ready to dominate in the NFL, he was ready last year. Despite being the Heisman runner-up to Cam Newton, it was unquestionable that Luck would be chosen No. 1 over all in the 2011 NFL Draft. Instead Luck decided to stay at Standford for another year, and he's still eligible for yet another. Since that time, he's been the clear favorite to win the 2011 Heisman and the No. 1 pick all over again. Luck had a flawless season up until Stanford's loss to Oregon where he threw two interception, the most in any game this season. Since the loss, Luck never again reached the 70%-85% completion rating that earned him such a lofty lead early on, and interceptions became a weekly occurrence. He lacked any definite late-season "Heisman moments" which will hurt his stock. He finished the regular season with 3,170 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. Voters will be torn with Luck. They will recognize his remarkable ability as second to none, but must also admit that the Stanford quarterback's year was not <i>outstanding.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6upuwZZs3tUUM5ESc43srhYdNvPeSgFVaKuOR30vHm56n8T8YpSILQV4o3_wJ3KGBEUK2BWrC1jVHgCwRYSHQbZtlyLhyzOqmp9Vk9QheUBv3C4TmOXeZXdPJWN31l-9rNUT367Y0gsS/s1600/Trent%252BRichardson%252BPenn%252BState%252Bv%252BAlabama%252B5lxN5BCHnEZl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6upuwZZs3tUUM5ESc43srhYdNvPeSgFVaKuOR30vHm56n8T8YpSILQV4o3_wJ3KGBEUK2BWrC1jVHgCwRYSHQbZtlyLhyzOqmp9Vk9QheUBv3C4TmOXeZXdPJWN31l-9rNUT367Y0gsS/s200/Trent%252BRichardson%252BPenn%252BState%252Bv%252BAlabama%252B5lxN5BCHnEZl.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Trent Richardson </span>is your prototypical freight train running back. When he's not plowing over linebackers, he's juking them, stiff-arming corners, and out running safeties; there's little Trent Richardson can't do. His biggest claim is the list of defenses he did so against. There's no longer any debate that the SEC houses the best defenses in amateur football. Draft experts point at almost the entire LSU and Alabama defensive starters as draftable, and not just that, but all in the first three rounds. And it was against the nation's best defenses that he racked up such staggering numbers. 125 rushing yards and 85 receiving yards against Arkansas, 181 rushing yards for 2 touchdowns and 27 receiving yards against Florida. A definitive "Heisman moment" in the always difficult Iron Bowl against Auburn for 203 rushing yards with a spectacular 57 yard run. And probably the most telling statistic is what he accomplished in the loss against LSU and the unquestionably best defense in the nation: 89 rushing yards and another 80 receiving in that "boring" game of the century. His season all purpose totals are 1,910 yards for 23 touchdowns. These factors combined tell me Trent Richardson will either place second overall or bring Tuscaloosa its second Heisman Trophy in the last three years (also ever).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-683romR_R7nsPqsuS_kU9KatUb2qoq6lsKmvNsaRjBRTuhQfLUc3S-qLWGy29VRcgNROs6ifaHGqswB26jDka_5UZSr8KWoyJD9l24IYVsKbn9sD3OZr1qDxNJzLO09D8mphxjZMDpm/s1600/134712387_8.263w_350h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-683romR_R7nsPqsuS_kU9KatUb2qoq6lsKmvNsaRjBRTuhQfLUc3S-qLWGy29VRcgNROs6ifaHGqswB26jDka_5UZSr8KWoyJD9l24IYVsKbn9sD3OZr1qDxNJzLO09D8mphxjZMDpm/s200/134712387_8.263w_350h.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Robert Griffin III</span> would've fallen under "dark horse" candidate in the beginning of the season, and that might be an overstatement. As usual, not much was expected from the Baylor Bears as preseason polls had them unranked and receiving no votes (putting them at best No. 51), but a stunning performance in the season opener against No. 14 TCU had the nation wondering where this prodigy with the fancy name had been its whole life, and the stellar throwing just kept coming. His completion ratings vary from high 60s to low 90s, which is amazing even at practice. What might hurt his resume are his team's losses. A loss makes every player on the field look bad, and it always reflects on the Heisman ballot, even though the Heisman is an individual award. What might remedy this are his stats on his worst lost. Against an obviously very talented Oklahoma State, he may have thrown two interceptions, but still managed to rack up 425 yards in the air, and put up 24 points. Numbers like those usually never result in an 'L'. His "Heisman moment"? Well he seems to be constantly having one. From strong performances under difficult circumstances to the sheer number of yardage in a season, Robert Griffin III lives the "Heisman moment". His end of regular season stats read 3,998 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions. He's tied in my mind for the trophy with Trent Richardson.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaLsuCBZKo3tufGN1daqIDkflysP0XAcKRhjFnK95Qk46hthIBVz7UP4eMbKtxvLHfZuMGGrR3zWWzxaTjR668bUAmMggHEjMWzcdenoABOBZZ3opWCbcmUMdVEXhns0Nor78WWMc_UTd/s1600/montee-ball-p1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaLsuCBZKo3tufGN1daqIDkflysP0XAcKRhjFnK95Qk46hthIBVz7UP4eMbKtxvLHfZuMGGrR3zWWzxaTjR668bUAmMggHEjMWzcdenoABOBZZ3opWCbcmUMdVEXhns0Nor78WWMc_UTd/s200/montee-ball-p1.jpg" width="153" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Montee Ball</span> has been a staple in Wisconsin football for the last three years, so unlike RG3, he's no secret. What shines about Ball is his new-found athleticism. He lost 28 pounds over the off season to add speed and more importantly, elusiveness. He's been cutting out of defenders' grasps and finding the endzone time and time again. His other golden ticket lies in his number touchdowns. He has 38 of them (all purpose). To give you an idea, Trent Richardson has 23. Quite frankly, that number alone got him in the Heisman debate. What will deter voters is Wisconsin's use of Montee Ball. He has a similar amount of rushing yards to Trent Richardson but 12 more rushing touchdowns. When you look at Wisconsin's stats, Ball has more touchdowns than the team has passing touchdowns. He has more than four times the touchdowns as their leading receiver Nick Toon. Wisconsin is a one-trick pony and everyone knows it. Whether they only give the ball to Ball in the redzone to pad stats or to win games is the coach's business, but with such a heavy touchdown to total yardage ratio, voters will consider these stats skewed. Combine that with the argument that the level of defenses he's played against don't match those of the SEC, and things don't look too hopeful for Montee Ball. He will, however, have a significant effect on the vote. As a running back with 38 touchdowns, voters will be split from Trent Richardson's campaign. Montee ball has a total of 2,014 yards for the 38 touchdowns.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnu8iPJYyTexxsqRKhdcQxlUhFxux41J7DkGou8b3Ghi-4aYlYN2VSCfBhti_PtXyKvlZfgjZFVRGhQDxZwl5FjzhcgpNKTbBX4yb1RlvCUEhb6Kk9LpJgVOrK_A75g7DWX19htKaGhVD/s1600/tyrann-mathieu-p1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnu8iPJYyTexxsqRKhdcQxlUhFxux41J7DkGou8b3Ghi-4aYlYN2VSCfBhti_PtXyKvlZfgjZFVRGhQDxZwl5FjzhcgpNKTbBX4yb1RlvCUEhb6Kk9LpJgVOrK_A75g7DWX19htKaGhVD/s200/tyrann-mathieu-p1.jpg" width="160" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Tyrann Mathieu</span> is the "Honey Badger". There's little debate that LSU fields the nation's best defense, and there's no debate that Mathieu is LSU's best defender. He covers the whole field, tracks down the ball, and most importantly, makes game changing plays on special teams. He's your do-it-all defensive back, a security blanket for any head coach. As a defensive back, he's gonna be hard to compare to other offensive candidates, and as a cornerback, it's gonna be even harder. Only one defensive back has ever won the Heisman Trophy, and even he lined up at wide receiver occasionally. Offensive plays get the ball and are expected to do something with it. Defensive players are supposed to cover their man, and if they do it well enough, nothing will happen. That man won't be passed the ball, and as a corner, a running back has to escape some closer defenders before reaching him. This is why Mathieu has a thin stat sheet; average tackles, average sacks, even average interceptions (2), because Tyrann Mathieu plays excellent coverage. One defensive stat that does stick out is forced fumbles; he has five of them, and scooped two of those up for touchdowns. What's most exceptional about Mathieu is his punt return ability. Teams who've played LSU have had to punt a lot, and when they do, Honey Badger makes them pay. He averages 16.15 yards per return (when not calling a fair catch) and has returned four of them for touchdowns, one of which was returned at the 8 yard line. Voters will be conflicted to put Mathieu any higher than 4th for two reasons. First, it's too hard to compare defensive backs against the skill positions. If Mathieu had more sacks or more interceptions, he might have made more waves in the poll, and second, Mathieu was suspended for a game for breaking LSU's drug policy, and is considered a bit of a "dirty" player. As mentioned earlier, voters like to see off the field attitudes that reflect their athletic performances. I have Mathieu around 4th place, but Honey Badger don't give a . . .<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Arnaldo's Heisman ballot:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Trent Richardson</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Robert Griffin III</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Andrew Luck</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Tyrann Mathieu</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Montee Ball</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Arnaldo's Heisman prediction:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Robert Griffin III</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Trent Richardson</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Andrew Luck</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Montee Ball</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Tyrann Mathieu</span></div>
<br />Arnaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031800106602904510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564521449939744196.post-55301204449299332962011-12-05T10:39:00.001-05:002012-01-04T02:25:04.671-05:00Gone Bowling: University of Georgia vs. Michigan State University<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free Bloomin' Onions for everyone!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">by Dub</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Throughout</span> the coming weeks, B&A will be going through some of the SEC bowl game match-ups and giving you, the fans, a little bit of background for both the teams playing. I don't know about you, but when bowl season starts, I usually try to catch a little bit of each one, and would like to know a little more about key players on each team, and some of the background of the two teams playing. That being said, let's get started with our first Gone Bowling Match-up: UGA vs MSU.<br />
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For our first match-up, we have what look like two very good but not elite football teams. Both are 10-3 and played in their respective conference championship games. The difference between these two teams is that Georgia is the fourth best team in the SEC (first almost anywhere else), and MSU is the second best in the Big 10. What really gets a lot of MSU fans is that Michigan (a 10-2 team that did NOT play in its conference championship game and was beaten head to head by MSU) is going to a BCS bowl, simply for the fact that they did not lose an extra game to Wisconsin.<br />
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Georgia is excited to be going to the Outback Bowl, because they have a young team who will likely finish in the top 15 this year, and have a load of returning players, namely Aaron Murray (QB), Isaiah Crowell (RB), and Malcolm Mitchell (WR) who all lead the team in their respective categories. Michigan State is losing both their #1 quarterback and #1 wide receiver, and will likely not be this talented of a football team when Bowl Selection rolls around next December. The point here is that Georgia is a fiery, scrappy team who still has a lot of time left to improve, and is chomping at the bit to get into the bowl, and Michigan State is a team who feels like they were cheated out of "real competition". Now the issue is that when you think the opponent you're facing against isn't up to your level, often times, you let him run right up to you and punch you straight in the face.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXDmMPHqjrPn0WIVBZHGdSHLiZwGTvCM5GbHgfwdy9sgOcTdMbqm0zMiCIJOMAtMRwEpGpuhW7G122cLhN1EWtoQGWcuMqZKMIWUB9atfS4E49Sk5teqZs5IUI38_vISmvl06yXfmS_8n/s1600/500px-UGA_logo.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXDmMPHqjrPn0WIVBZHGdSHLiZwGTvCM5GbHgfwdy9sgOcTdMbqm0zMiCIJOMAtMRwEpGpuhW7G122cLhN1EWtoQGWcuMqZKMIWUB9atfS4E49Sk5teqZs5IUI38_vISmvl06yXfmS_8n/s200/500px-UGA_logo.svg.png" width="200" /></a>Georgia is a team loaded with talent, and the only reason they aren't playing for a BCS bowl is that three other teams in the SEC could all win a national title, playing against anyone else in the nation. This season, Georgia had a front-loaded, painful schedule against two top 12 opponents, which set them back 0-2 right off the bat. They reeled off 10 straight on their way to Atlanta to face eventual SEC Champion LSU. The issue with Georgia isn't the players they have or the schemes they run. The issue is youth, and with youth comes inexperience. LSU was built for the long haul from day 1; when a player went down, another took his place, and played at an All American level. Georgia was decimated by injuries by the time they locked horns with LSU, and it showed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYhdrVdVySnQz8zWG4Cyaij2V9RI-XsYDVuKlTfrpyt_IurPMeKX_iBzLkjRsXH157hV6kqinbK6DgaOlp9M6UvNQBgQAUnElUFzkVmlbFVW9AujtBRSovbPmey8E_EPMOjSpalUNjzL3/s1600/Sparty.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYhdrVdVySnQz8zWG4Cyaij2V9RI-XsYDVuKlTfrpyt_IurPMeKX_iBzLkjRsXH157hV6kqinbK6DgaOlp9M6UvNQBgQAUnElUFzkVmlbFVW9AujtBRSovbPmey8E_EPMOjSpalUNjzL3/s200/Sparty.png" width="145" /></a>Michigan State is a team that lost a head scratcher to Notre Dame in September by three scores. Then again, one might look at a schedule from the past couple of years and realize that MSU has lost a game to an unranked opponent early in the season for three out of the last four years. When you don't play in a hyperconference where everyone and their mother is ranked in the top 25, you don't have the strength of wins to be a two loss team and skyrocket through the BCS rankings to play in a big time bowl. Michigan State was blown out by Nebraska by three touchdowns, got it back together, and then lost by a field goal to Big 10 Champion Wisconsin. However, MSU did have big regular season wins over #6 Wisconsin and #11 Michigan. Michigan State doesn't have issues with talent, but with consistency, and unfortunately, they play consistently bad during bowl season against SEC teams.<br />
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Now we'll go through and look at three players to look at as these teams meet in January.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Georgia</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUzq9HeF3jv47XPPB1L7WbHd99bsf39_S-fmaNmr-NFVcfE1yICnDAJuOVU9q3Vf1l7SQx9VPOPdoTAvXCIYuMKxF2tVp73cep27U6PyMAhGoaEQiFv1AaUMDxJBk8yh3IQ2qHudFo1wn/s1600/fdsfdsafdsa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUzq9HeF3jv47XPPB1L7WbHd99bsf39_S-fmaNmr-NFVcfE1yICnDAJuOVU9q3Vf1l7SQx9VPOPdoTAvXCIYuMKxF2tVp73cep27U6PyMAhGoaEQiFv1AaUMDxJBk8yh3IQ2qHudFo1wn/s320/fdsfdsafdsa.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<li><b>Jarvis Jones</b> <i>#29 LB</i>: His 13.5 sacks are good enough for 2nd in the nation, and he is an absolute monster at disrupting the comfort and poise of the opposing QB. Fast getoff, great balance and technique, and a speed rush that could leave even the best offensive lineman dizzy.</li>
<li><b>Bacarri Rambo </b><i>#18 S</i>: An absolute ballhawk who rarely let a big play develop. His 7 picks this year are, like Jones, good enough for 2nd in the nation. He's got a nose for the ball, and he takes advantage of QB mistakes.</li>
<li><b>Aaron Murray </b><i>#11 QB</i>: Passed for 2861 yards and 33 touchdowns, which broke the UGA single season mark of 25 set by Matt Stafford in 2008. Murray is an undersized quarterback who plays a lot like Drew Brees, making up for lack of size in arm strength and timing. Look for him to utilize his tight ends, Charles and Bennett.</li>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Michigan State</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTSARyXOtNliDnNkg1XAqtYgAs1-liXMsLSlv5NA2NFS-aJYeWCJUpUXRaHXid_qDY3Ak817gs49_IPMKj1AInc1_v7sqYsqbXQQCT9ERxEGRF1BWt1AySIA78TJ0NWMCeDEEwBeRSdvi/s1600/rasfadsfdas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTSARyXOtNliDnNkg1XAqtYgAs1-liXMsLSlv5NA2NFS-aJYeWCJUpUXRaHXid_qDY3Ak817gs49_IPMKj1AInc1_v7sqYsqbXQQCT9ERxEGRF1BWt1AySIA78TJ0NWMCeDEEwBeRSdvi/s320/rasfadsfdas.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<li><b>Kirk Cousins </b><i>#8 QB</i>:<b> </b>Cousins is as good a quarterback as there is in the Big 10 and holds the MSU career passing touchdown record at 62. He's got good arm strength and good anticipation, which leads to a number of good plays against lazy defenses. Look for him to work the pro sets he has in this game, and to be rolling out of the pocket, as he'll be feeling the pressure of UGA's pass rush. The good news is that he is as deadly on the rollout as he is in the pocket.</li>
<li><b>Denicos Allen </b><i>#28 LB</i>: This season, Allen has 10 sacks, and plays a similar style to Jarvis Jones, a speed rushing outside linebacker who disrupts the backfield. He is very athletic, and makes plays that force his opponents to account for him on every down. If you want to see how much of a pure athlete he is, go <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHNjrIDcskU">here</a>.</li>
<li><b>BJ Cunningham </b><i>#3 WR</i>: Cunningham is a big bodied, big play machine. He has 72 catches for 1200+ yards and 12 touchdowns this year, and looks to improve upon those numbers against Georgia's smallish cornerbacks. In order for him and Cousins to have a good game, MSU will need to implement short, quick routes to keep the defense honest and allow the field to open up.</li>
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Ultimately, both of these teams are very similar in play style and in ability. Georgia has a bit more of an undersized speedy defense, whereas MSU has a bigger albeit slower defense that relies on sound gap protection to minimize big runs. Both teams are ranked in the top 10 nationally in total defense, and are both top 20 in scoring defense. The series between these two teams is tipped in Georgia's favor, winning 34-27 in the 1989 Gator Bowl and 24-12 in the 2009 Capital One Bowl.</div>
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For Georgia to win, they must control the line of scrimmage and force Michigan State to beat them through the air. If one of Georgia's (many) hurt running backs is back for this game, I think UGA wins, propelling themselves into next season with high hopes and a very talented football team.</div>
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For Michigan State to win, they must run the ball well against Georgia's very talented front 7. Look for Michigan State to use screen packages and quick pass plays to force Georgia to play off the ball a little bit and give themselves room to run. Michigan State can not win if they cannot establish a run game.</div>
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Dub's Prediction: <b>Georgia 37 Michigan State 24</b></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564521449939744196.post-13594876244126092082011-12-04T22:22:00.001-05:002012-01-04T02:26:15.513-05:00'11-'12 Bowl Game Schedule<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnkE3PYcRrV2ERvmrzL-6hgD1SQXlqfCPPfyJli7JYmZTj_d-v5ZjtOt3oCH2kpvkprbUOcZ-AnSjiDzovI54W9lks9_nh6wdeRYVbZqROP396f9gBsiXfRB_OXpEgg4RcM7XTjV9vJuo/s1600/Bcs_logo_2010.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnkE3PYcRrV2ERvmrzL-6hgD1SQXlqfCPPfyJli7JYmZTj_d-v5ZjtOt3oCH2kpvkprbUOcZ-AnSjiDzovI54W9lks9_nh6wdeRYVbZqROP396f9gBsiXfRB_OXpEgg4RcM7XTjV9vJuo/s320/Bcs_logo_2010.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">by Arnaldo</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Here</span> is a comprehensive bowl schedule that's easy to read and all in one place, for those of you that are like me and hate having to go to ESPN.com every time I want to know when there's a game on and who's playing and have to click on a 8 different places. Enjoy! (click on picture, right-click and save, so you get the high-resolution version.)<br />
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<br />Arnaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031800106602904510noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564521449939744196.post-84346519212371958292011-12-03T00:22:00.001-05:002012-01-04T02:26:31.173-05:00Xs and Os: The Option<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QTnS821mT-xYCM5cnTsv0xaxu_kRB2mXYCoIN3k3K-8ofBnZBbBH5ePyVONhuSOFfVd9aqcDkVY2EUo9ejH3MdlYVFTZx1zPKStkU85wNost3bHc0VOV4dQWoXXPeO4YkoCxF5iHbMF6/s1600/xsandos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QTnS821mT-xYCM5cnTsv0xaxu_kRB2mXYCoIN3k3K-8ofBnZBbBH5ePyVONhuSOFfVd9aqcDkVY2EUo9ejH3MdlYVFTZx1zPKStkU85wNost3bHc0VOV4dQWoXXPeO4YkoCxF5iHbMF6/s320/xsandos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">by Arnaldo </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">If you've</span> watched the Florida Gators play under Urban Meyer, or the Denver Broncos in the last few weeks, you've probably heard the word "option" thrown around a bit. In this <i>Xs and Os</i>, we're not just gonna define the option, we're gonna get into its specifics, technique, and recent application in the NFL (via Tim Tebow). <br />
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The option is nothing more than a series of run plays (from a variety of formations) where there are two or more potential ball carriers. Conventionally, a run play will have a single predetermined ball carrier running a predetermined route. The option allows the quarterback to decide during the play, how he wants the ball to be ran. He does this by reading certain players before the snap, and during the first few moments of the play, and decides how to proceed based on these reads, called "keys". <br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Option Plays</span><br />
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There are essentially only two option plays that can be executed from various formations. Each has only two potential ball carriers, or "options".<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Read Option </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwczcdpR9FtLXsKnoxrRr5w1LzIJREsU8getihgArCH4LT5Wc1OZqQ6jLQlFsdO_XQL4Z3wf8MVXqKGFPorvFvxXeIdVrnohXKhQ-KsbgV4UugN_qn8HVn5fJ9Cnq-TQyK1C0o9sDUDBW/s1600/f1d0ad13-dcb5-5a65-bede-faaf3be0ad3d.image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwczcdpR9FtLXsKnoxrRr5w1LzIJREsU8getihgArCH4LT5Wc1OZqQ6jLQlFsdO_XQL4Z3wf8MVXqKGFPorvFvxXeIdVrnohXKhQ-KsbgV4UugN_qn8HVn5fJ9Cnq-TQyK1C0o9sDUDBW/s320/f1d0ad13-dcb5-5a65-bede-faaf3be0ad3d.image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "mesh" exchange between Tim Tebow and Jeff Demps.<br />
Note Tebow's eyes as he reads his dive key and decides what<br />
to do with the ball.</td></tr>
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The first is called a "read" option, which has two possible options, a "dive" track and a "keep" track. The quarterback takes the snap and puts the ball in the belly of his running back. Instead of handing it off, he holds it there and follows along with the running back's movement for as long as he can without taking an actual step. This amount of time is called the "mesh". During the mesh, the quarterback reads his "dive key", a defensive end (opposite of the running back's direction). If the end pursues the running back, the quarterback with keep the ball and his keep track will run in a direction away from the dive track. If the end recognizes the play as an option, and waits to see how the mesh unfolds, the quarterback will hand it off and the play follows the dive track. Keep in mind that a dive refers to a running route directly up the middle. If the quarterback reads his key correctly, the offense will always have the upper hand, because the keep track moves away from the end's direction, and the dive track will have a head start on the end who hesitated. This play is also sometimes referred to as the <br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Speed Option </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Bp-FoD4J-TqjOOhryDJo4pId9wJwws2d-giOac2WDhOM99XQ8QbjWAEXg0sNBRcaVFXelMGUyOT9lCGXf93k-FC0KvEvY6iuWis0x9an7szsFrRbFHoeZB0VXpoiA45lf_z5RK4V7GC0/s1600/tebowpitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Bp-FoD4J-TqjOOhryDJo4pId9wJwws2d-giOac2WDhOM99XQ8QbjWAEXg0sNBRcaVFXelMGUyOT9lCGXf93k-FC0KvEvY6iuWis0x9an7szsFrRbFHoeZB0VXpoiA45lf_z5RK4V7GC0/s320/tebowpitch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim Tebow in the motion of pitching the ball on a speed<br />
option run. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The second option play is a "speed" option. It is so named because as soon as the quarterback receives the ball, he immediately goes into motion. The two tracks here are the "keep" track and the "pitch" track. A running back, here refered to as a "pitch back", will be running a few yards beside the quarterback. When the quaterback (still carrying the ball) runs into some defenders, he may chose to keep the ball, or pitch it back to the running back, based on his read, here called a "pitch key" (usually a linebacker or defensive back). If the defender pursues the quarterback, he'll pitch the ball, but if the defender follows the pitch man, he'll keep it. As long as both options aren't being simultaneously covered, the speed option should always get positive yardage.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Triple Option</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HDiiWfPlkJHSBNuaKx7p4dpkGU0clhvRhS1QZcutewXW9ZEiGzW_Z6lUefz6fWpGj96khvzhe9_xd_BNayWV_nFPAIKviEY5hhJhe6czBQV_uGs64KOzZuno9X1CR9KtERFzMEEPsWua/s1600/20090927_zaf_s70_059-Josh-Johnson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HDiiWfPlkJHSBNuaKx7p4dpkGU0clhvRhS1QZcutewXW9ZEiGzW_Z6lUefz6fWpGj96khvzhe9_xd_BNayWV_nFPAIKviEY5hhJhe6czBQV_uGs64KOzZuno9X1CR9KtERFzMEEPsWua/s200/20090927_zaf_s70_059-Josh-Johnson.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh Johnson running his keep track.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Those two plays are essentially the building blocks of the option. There are two forms of "triple option" that derive from them. Triple option meaning that there are three possible ball carriers, the conventional triple option is a combination of both the read option and the speed option. With two running backs, the play begins and runs exactly like the read option. If the quarterback decides to keep the ball, he still has the pitch man running beside him (the speed option). This entire sequence is also known as the "veer" (play; there is also a "veer" formation).<br />
<br />
The other triple option is a double speed option. Innovated (debatable) and perfected (indisputable) by Urban Meyer, this involves all three backs to rush in one direction just like the speed option. The only difference is that the quarterback has two pitch options, one on either side of him. The benefit here is that typically on a speed option, the quarterback finds one or two defenders ahead of him, but hardly ever three. The third option allows allows for positive yardage, almost all the time. Note that the forward pitch is called a "shovel pass". This is done to differentiate the two because even a forward pitch is a forward pass. If it is dropped, the ball is dead as an incomplete pass. A normal pitch (backwards), if dropped, is a fumble and a live ball.<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Formations</span><br />
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<br />
Originally, the option was invented out of the single-wing and T formations, but quickly became prevalent out of the wishbone. All three formations are now extinct, so we'll just skip over them.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Flexbone</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfC2-QhPxw0UgxQrgQs203a6KxYB7QaoOVLciULe6RGE6CKFv418XlaAI3MxKpJYzB_YmnL7zJOJP7-52oDheR_GQ4JEQ8C7LYsXU7JEnSDoy8b6OrVcpkOWdIa2sl-m32wXZ_D011Dwx2/s1600/GT.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfC2-QhPxw0UgxQrgQs203a6KxYB7QaoOVLciULe6RGE6CKFv418XlaAI3MxKpJYzB_YmnL7zJOJP7-52oDheR_GQ4JEQ8C7LYsXU7JEnSDoy8b6OrVcpkOWdIa2sl-m32wXZ_D011Dwx2/s200/GT.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most successful flexbone option team.</td></tr>
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The wishbone evolved into the flexbone in the '80s where Fisher DeBerry combined the double slot formation with the wishbone option concepts. The flexbone moved the wishbone's backs into the slot back positions. This made the overall scheme more pass-friendly, whereas the wishbone wasn't. This completes the flexbone into a full offensive scheme. Today, only four FBS teams base their offense off the flexbone option and are considered true option teams. They are the three service academies, Navy, Army, and Air Force, and Georgia Tech. If you ever have the chance to closely watch any of these teams play, pay close attention to how the run these plays from the flexbone. As you can see, the flexbone utilizes four backs, the quarterback, a full back, and two slot backs. A slot back is a role typically filled with half backs or wide receivers. The position is a hybrid of the two, and slot backs need to be skilled evenly between the two positions. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fcraNxPlalwkib9U6V5N9sSxZueR-6DgeJqfnz6IWaA7XWs6z4oLN8iW_zgwnKVnYGRNR5YHD5oa1Fd5N98svNkQKDjzJ3iV5CzBYXY7cDMJCA66bQI36kD51i2m9geomIapXvccTNis/s1600/flexbone.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fcraNxPlalwkib9U6V5N9sSxZueR-6DgeJqfnz6IWaA7XWs6z4oLN8iW_zgwnKVnYGRNR5YHD5oa1Fd5N98svNkQKDjzJ3iV5CzBYXY7cDMJCA66bQI36kD51i2m9geomIapXvccTNis/s320/flexbone.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Triple option in the flexbone. Note the read option that may<br />
become a speed option.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now lets look at the option plays from the flexbone. Typically, one of the slot backs goes in motion before the snap, and ends up past the full back by the time of the snap. The quarterback sidesteps to enter the mesh stage with the full back. He reads his dive key and makes a decision. If he decides to keep it, he follows his keep track along side the pitch track ran by the slot back who went into motion before the snap. After reading his pitch key, he may keep it or pitch it. This same play can be redrawn in several variations with the tracks slightly moved around. There is also a lot of room for pass plays and play-action passes from this formation.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Shotgun</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRdd4xYQIa0hYDd9sXb1E4kr4vWg9O9ItgAiq7IBguBqHG3DLg536pdHMvgt5s8PwyAJAFeb8dUkU1LFBJkG9rYkEOZTxhA6W8bfaP-xwuD-2IrmyBmefeo5rr0UsY-bNX6ZVlhGAL0XC/s1600/632px-Shotgun_Formation.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRdd4xYQIa0hYDd9sXb1E4kr4vWg9O9ItgAiq7IBguBqHG3DLg536pdHMvgt5s8PwyAJAFeb8dUkU1LFBJkG9rYkEOZTxhA6W8bfaP-xwuD-2IrmyBmefeo5rr0UsY-bNX6ZVlhGAL0XC/s320/632px-Shotgun_Formation.svg.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Read option from the shotgun (see top picture).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I say shotgun and not spread here because the spread isn't a formation; it's a scheme. A formation with three or more spread out receivers with the quarterback in the shotgun is considered spread. Now a shotgun isn't a particular formation either but an umbrella of formations with the quarterback several yards behind the center. This is the new wave of option football popularized by Urban Meyer, Rich Rodriguez, Chip Kelly and others. Under this system, the quarterback receives the snap and enters the mesh immediately, or takes off on his track on a speed option, just like before.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOAyhiizuFuUZB7rSo3Zx6NOZiiTxabsuUETcVrRC5AeChqYqvACTA4d7SGZ8BabuafSUsEo6WEEBfuaDJBb4ccNuPLrQt5ZhTiyPXJpYTJJOkyIezpUUwCopD3NAJFaYydoavlhHLo8s/s1600/632px-Shotgun_Formation.2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOAyhiizuFuUZB7rSo3Zx6NOZiiTxabsuUETcVrRC5AeChqYqvACTA4d7SGZ8BabuafSUsEo6WEEBfuaDJBb4ccNuPLrQt5ZhTiyPXJpYTJJOkyIezpUUwCopD3NAJFaYydoavlhHLo8s/s320/632px-Shotgun_Formation.2.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Triple option (double speed) from the shotgun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The difference maker in this system is the spread concept. Three to five wide receivers spead the defense out and makes wider holes for the option run to find. This is why under this system, small shifty backs (Chris Rainey, Jeff Demps) are more useful than big, strong, power backs. The other advantage behind this scheme is that it doesn't become predictable or one sided. The spread is without a doubt, the best scheme for strong passing. Look at any two minute offense. Look at Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers pass in the spread. It gives them great field vision, several receivers causing separation in the secondary, and mismatches that will always favor the offense. Defenses have to prepare for a deceptive option game, and a spread passing, and that's not even factoring what happens when you combine the two for play-action passing. Defenses can be talented, but unless they're properly disciplined for this type of offense, they'll lose every time.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Reemergence in the NFL</span><br />
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<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBPoeQq6iVGVeYFrBMMcyEUQx-8hGlR7WGdAmnLOTPrmYMFShgUh7fTRuht7P0eZ5A_lhxJ4vS5ntzncZdnWhKQmm0aYwoNThzxs-5dxeVnicSA2-wOs_k29qH7nICCMdogJAa8Txlpvv/s1600/Denver_Broncos_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBPoeQq6iVGVeYFrBMMcyEUQx-8hGlR7WGdAmnLOTPrmYMFShgUh7fTRuht7P0eZ5A_lhxJ4vS5ntzncZdnWhKQmm0aYwoNThzxs-5dxeVnicSA2-wOs_k29qH7nICCMdogJAa8Txlpvv/s200/Denver_Broncos_logo.png" width="200" /></a>If you're like me, or plenty Gator fans, you've been paying close attention to the Denver Broncos and Tim Tebow. After going 1-4, the Broncos start Tebow and implement the spread option which has never seen decent play time in the NFL. As I mentioned earlier, the early option concepts thrived in pro football, but the spread option has never quite made the transition (one exception is the Josh Johnson Buccaneer package). In my opinion, as reluctant as the NFL has been to change, the players who were a part of the popularization of the spread option are now all in the NFL. There was bound to be a breaking point. This isn't to say that all teams will start encorporating the this scheme. They won't. There a reason the most popular offensive style is called the Pro-style. The NFL, like all pro sports, is a business. A business where people quit their jobs, and get new ones. Franchise players are a thing of the past. Free angency, and the need for greed, has homogenized NFL schemes. Because players and coaches are constantly shifting from team to team, all offenses and defenses styles are basically the same. There are slight differences and plenty of variations, but they are conceptually the same. A team that sets out to break these tendencies needs stability so that all their players can adapt to the new system. It's like moving to a country where they drive on the opposite side of the road.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXq9M9l_65UNdgbvva6aOC18VXkk9FrePnH01uBDr5MhZdIwmiW0MPrWca1UwhJXBDDjRa7YiT_MNYmnws5p33JmZ_qmmVQ7_UIkQfih87FossFQQgi2GoljpO1T2nvIiFFXz23GgttFL/s1600/500px-National_Football_League_2008.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXq9M9l_65UNdgbvva6aOC18VXkk9FrePnH01uBDr5MhZdIwmiW0MPrWca1UwhJXBDDjRa7YiT_MNYmnws5p33JmZ_qmmVQ7_UIkQfih87FossFQQgi2GoljpO1T2nvIiFFXz23GgttFL/s200/500px-National_Football_League_2008.svg.png" width="151" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, these idiots.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tP4dC0_OU4juavnwYhpoLcrSP9Ag3JILg2sFFUva0q6XkuqkOyL_twT-lJlaPXX6aVKPCvNe-euReD9_FNXZKgfEKByBjqlYBD_DcHCCNXiveF-3D9_BbYsL31uop_cNlGyGw-bafBmK/s1600/panthers.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tP4dC0_OU4juavnwYhpoLcrSP9Ag3JILg2sFFUva0q6XkuqkOyL_twT-lJlaPXX6aVKPCvNe-euReD9_FNXZKgfEKByBjqlYBD_DcHCCNXiveF-3D9_BbYsL31uop_cNlGyGw-bafBmK/s200/panthers.gif" width="200" /></a>I will say this, however. There is a reason Tim Tebow excels at these plays. He is a Heisman winning, two-time National Champion under this system, but as great as that sounds, he's not alone. There happens to be not one, but two other quarterbacks in the NFL with similar resumes: Vince Young and Cam Newton. Newton, we all know, won a Heisman and a national championship doing almost exactly what Tim Tebow did a few years prior. And Tebow succeeded Vince Young, winning a national championship at Texas and coming in second in Heisman voting behind Reggie Bush, who vacated the award (so it's basically his). They're also not having the most success right now. Young's future is up in the air. On the other hand, Cam Newton is having little to no problem fitting into his new scheme, but it still isn't his forte, and the Carolina Panthers still need a jump start. Don't be surprised if we see Carolina pull a Tim Tebow, and put Newton in a similar option situation next year.Arnaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031800106602904510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564521449939744196.post-5285033308441557132011-12-02T12:36:00.000-05:002012-01-04T02:26:59.900-05:00Conference Realignment: What It Means for the SEC and Florida<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">by Arnaldo</span> </div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">A conference</span> is like a party. You go where your friends go, that is after all, the whole point of the party, being with your friends. If one person wants to leave to go to another party, chances are, they'll take someone with them. Two less people there give a third person less reason to be there instead of another party. A chain reaction ensues and before you know it, said party is over and the keg is still full. Now I don't know what the keg is in this metaphor but the rest should be pretty clear, and that's exactly what's been happening the last year of college football.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">But how does it affect us?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_n45Jr86sezNhiLO0EgPRZTg3i8dff5drTlDAU7LZJvQgMNFjhKnUqZbkPwOVXfI8skzWcZ3YaJ4vvxScKS7LouBxX1r4WMaNhCClvesYLfqJmLYpELcmUEr28-NT2k7D0pTZwDB0tz1-/s1600/500px-Florida_Gators_logo.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_n45Jr86sezNhiLO0EgPRZTg3i8dff5drTlDAU7LZJvQgMNFjhKnUqZbkPwOVXfI8skzWcZ3YaJ4vvxScKS7LouBxX1r4WMaNhCClvesYLfqJmLYpELcmUEr28-NT2k7D0pTZwDB0tz1-/s200/500px-Florida_Gators_logo.svg.png" width="200" /></a></div>
First of all, it really shouldn't. The SEC scheduling looks like this (as of before the realignment): there are 12 teams and 2 divisions. Each school plays the five other divisional schools, one permanent school from the other division, and two rotating home-away basis schools from the other division. The four remaining games are out of division and up to the school itself to schedule. I say this because intraconference scheduling is up to the conferences and not the NCAA. Each conference schedules differently. The Pac-12 plays a 9 game conference schedule with 12 teams.<br />
<br />
So does this mean the SEC needs to move to a 9 game conference schedule? Not necessarily, but it isn't a bad idea. The problem here is that removing one of those slots removes the SEC's much needed "padded match-ups". Coaches will tell you they need these games, especially in the beginning of the season. The SEC is obviously the toughest conference in the NCAA; that's no longer a point of contention. Each match-up has the potential to be unforgiving and disastrous.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFwkjv6PypCW1PS4NdIBBMoESLBiEbi7xvmDibdmbT7OptJ8UuywDMsuRfoutOKpj54l_u-lEMIy0tdrgp-BPCZ9A1s-GzIArLA3cd6vMQQxj7cncVJKrRRcvmjt2Z__slAWPIkVyBV0y/s1600/500px-UGA_logo.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFwkjv6PypCW1PS4NdIBBMoESLBiEbi7xvmDibdmbT7OptJ8UuywDMsuRfoutOKpj54l_u-lEMIy0tdrgp-BPCZ9A1s-GzIArLA3cd6vMQQxj7cncVJKrRRcvmjt2Z__slAWPIkVyBV0y/s200/500px-UGA_logo.svg.png" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYbYiqaENgtnpzF1VcON-va0yTfUOpuX3bE9qJbrH0B5rFFmWJ6uVJ_B-VtV5cHXhSgtgFh_FZl77PJ5SWkbYYrIaOHq-bcUOcQj644tOuTy4I0MW1FCNTO8v-wlYKxWhKmOEWzFb7DVu/s1600/500px-AuburnTigers.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYbYiqaENgtnpzF1VcON-va0yTfUOpuX3bE9qJbrH0B5rFFmWJ6uVJ_B-VtV5cHXhSgtgFh_FZl77PJ5SWkbYYrIaOHq-bcUOcQj644tOuTy4I0MW1FCNTO8v-wlYKxWhKmOEWzFb7DVu/s200/500px-AuburnTigers.svg.png" width="200" /></a>We have to contrast this to the problem with keeping an 8 game conference schedule. With one more team in each division (Texas A&M to the west and Missouri to the east [sure, moving Auburn to the east was rumored and makes more sense, but that's just making too many waves]), one interdivisional game has to go. Schools and fans will not allow the permanent match-up to dissolve. Florida would lose playing LSU every year, and Deep South's Oldest Rivalry (Auburn-Georgia) would need a new name, or actually no name at all. The SEC, however, will probably prefer this option so that there is more complete competition.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jxR4gN9fXKIFUMsIO_aeYBrh3r-NLkz8SlVUNd7CVj3aUXYZm2rgEtOwe7NyH1bOnVxqxtmeVwQCEhefDHDF4fmddPxgRA-Cek0pGuCgGeRQzHHUKRDbCQKiHb6zcrLZjgPWbwQn6TUu/s1600/LSU_Registered_White.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jxR4gN9fXKIFUMsIO_aeYBrh3r-NLkz8SlVUNd7CVj3aUXYZm2rgEtOwe7NyH1bOnVxqxtmeVwQCEhefDHDF4fmddPxgRA-Cek0pGuCgGeRQzHHUKRDbCQKiHb6zcrLZjgPWbwQn6TUu/s200/LSU_Registered_White.gif" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trust me, we NEED this game.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Either way, the media loves to pretend these things are already decided and that all rivalries will cease to exist starting next year, but they're just plain wrong. The worst case scenario involves some teams losing secondary or tertiary rivalries, which is a loss, don't get me wrong. When the SEC was last expanded in 1992, Florida and Miami had to stop meeting up yearly. Miami's rivalry with Florida State held together because Miami moved from the Big East to the ACC in 2004, FSU's conference. The teams that suffer the most are the teams actually moving, and they elected to move in the first place. Texas A&M will most likely keep their rivalry with Texas in the same way Florida plays Florida State every year even though they're in separate conferences. They will lose yearly match-ups with Texas Tech and Baylor, but coincidentally, the Aggies are rivals with Arkansas and LSU and total over 60 match-ups with each. Obviously they'll be awarded those rivalries back. In the same fashion, Missouri should keep their Border War with Kansas but lose their rivalries with Oklahoma and Illinois. Their rivalry with Nebraska already dissolved when The Cornhuskers moved to the Big 10. Hopefully, Mizzou will develop another Border War with Arkansas in the upcoming seasons.<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Where do we go from here?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOWPA4PVrPLjULR7RAw6YJOVfiiGhCusOXn7V6T2wmraRqWuBWlxJ_waiVzGXKMyPNOjyt3RJk27fwEnRD4Nk5KoRNcLPBNj3WrlU3z5t7OJe4N3etYRbiQVyMhsGiY-OgSkpb21M_1EC/s1600/big10_logo_detail.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOWPA4PVrPLjULR7RAw6YJOVfiiGhCusOXn7V6T2wmraRqWuBWlxJ_waiVzGXKMyPNOjyt3RJk27fwEnRD4Nk5KoRNcLPBNj3WrlU3z5t7OJe4N3etYRbiQVyMhsGiY-OgSkpb21M_1EC/s200/big10_logo_detail.gif" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But we JUST made this cool new logo.</td></tr>
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The SEC looks pretty comfortable with 14 teams; let's hope the superconference trend ends there. I say this because larger conferences only complicate things. Think about it, if conferences get bigger, more divisions will be formed, more rivalries lost, and there will be a larger pool of teams from which to play all around. The end result is a copy of the NFL, where there are no real rivalries and nobody remembers which conference they're in, because the conferences mean nothing, only the divisions do.<br />
<br />
However, I see no problem with the constant changing of conferences for teams scattered around the map; not only is it happening now, it's been happening for years. This holds with me as long as the party scenario doesn't happen again. Conferences were already nicely set geographically across the map, rivalries were well established, and scheduling was simple. The sad news is that despite adding TCU and West Virginia, the Big 12 is still not stable. Less stable than them is the Big East. Losing their BCS automatic qualification is looking inevitable, and hopefully this may make them less desperate to add more significant teams and help them to stabilize.<br />
<br />
What's most important to remember is the SEC is looking indestructable. Five consecutive national championships (six soon), the addition of two teams that should be growing back to prominence (new management at Texas A&M with an SEC budget should help), and a sweet TV deal with CBS that should (God willing) be opting for an ESPN upgrade in the near future makes the SEC party look like New Years at the Playboy Mansion. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xIgzczvhj8utq6lteVWXQtTSWD53BiDacX8pobsnvjDvr8aJtMit21tTmuEXij9iu3QVqHMNQ013COPJLG8m96Zp1O-2E33HqsrQwXIANOEdrXGHISTYRhCBMhsufl6jugeovo6lQa_g/s1600/hugh-hefner-with-playboy-bunnies-e1302305369311.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xIgzczvhj8utq6lteVWXQtTSWD53BiDacX8pobsnvjDvr8aJtMit21tTmuEXij9iu3QVqHMNQ013COPJLG8m96Zp1O-2E33HqsrQwXIANOEdrXGHISTYRhCBMhsufl6jugeovo6lQa_g/s400/hugh-hefner-with-playboy-bunnies-e1302305369311.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This actually looks kind of awesome.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Arnaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031800106602904510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564521449939744196.post-74094848799725519752011-12-01T01:29:00.001-05:002012-01-04T02:27:37.756-05:003 Football Concepts You've Probably Never Heard Of<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwH9nSuN-UqUrYEOF-GM2rZaa5AJr0VCvtXe7RNxx6YLZQhLyZDHU2QLC0qbu3p1BpvcAMzBcWKtxgO2nZK2CWYz9LAWcf6LCIrFyb89Xts4MGh63vXFUBtJ2D3KG0RxvqCu_bzUGPO2J/s1600/Football+Protection+Oreg+Sep+22+1937+pictures+sec+p+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwH9nSuN-UqUrYEOF-GM2rZaa5AJr0VCvtXe7RNxx6YLZQhLyZDHU2QLC0qbu3p1BpvcAMzBcWKtxgO2nZK2CWYz9LAWcf6LCIrFyb89Xts4MGh63vXFUBtJ2D3KG0RxvqCu_bzUGPO2J/s320/Football+Protection+Oreg+Sep+22+1937+pictures+sec+p+1.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">by Arnaldo </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Football</span> is an ever-evolving sport. And for every undiscovered play, formation, or scheme, there's one that's as archaic as it is forgotten. The best part is that some are so old, not only would they never fit in today's game, they're kind of hilarious to think about.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Drop Kick</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaK-4I0FjfT6QEYjVL6yEHIiJDS_ipszjIH0-DoKXrMv7UBeNViqJ9UwS7fwwTj80Upjuixv_HFFbH0EScdS8UbSxVyUaTL8c-uWBsTgEH-cuVQAqLEfuLTcZEmN5DRLS8ZfEcs7JvKkHj/s1600/spiral_drop_kick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaK-4I0FjfT6QEYjVL6yEHIiJDS_ipszjIH0-DoKXrMv7UBeNViqJ9UwS7fwwTj80Upjuixv_HFFbH0EScdS8UbSxVyUaTL8c-uWBsTgEH-cuVQAqLEfuLTcZEmN5DRLS8ZfEcs7JvKkHj/s200/spiral_drop_kick.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close, but not quite.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is it? </span><br />
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Sounds like a punt, or a some sort of kick to the face, but the drop kick was originally borrowed from rugby where the ball was allowed to bounce off the ground first and then kicked for field goal tries. Sounds retarded but at the time only place kicks were restricted to behind the line of scrimmage. You could advance the ball, and then drop kick it for a field goal all in one play. Again that probably sounds retarded but when the clock is already expired or the ball carrier is about to be tackled before the first down marker on a failed fourth down attempt, it's a last second scoring (or punting-ish) opportunity.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What killed it?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYg3EJmBNbqrFtBwj4Kfc4psgcVEq3YD2hJqaqEYw_QcTwAMZt5jMfmdtCdijqrw-bdjRW6sycAUNL3721zNCsshxB3uskAvOQX-Q5cS-3ngMuJN1s4xlu53nT_PwMyjK8JyLEafWrL5sy/s1600/Melon_football_plus_modern_football.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYg3EJmBNbqrFtBwj4Kfc4psgcVEq3YD2hJqaqEYw_QcTwAMZt5jMfmdtCdijqrw-bdjRW6sycAUNL3721zNCsshxB3uskAvOQX-Q5cS-3ngMuJN1s4xlu53nT_PwMyjK8JyLEafWrL5sy/s320/Melon_football_plus_modern_football.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
Two particular changes to the game. The first being the shape of the ball itself, which in 1934 took its current shape. Before this they resembled the modern rugby ball with a predictable bounce. If you've ever even played catch with a modern football, you know once it hits the ground, there's no telling where it's coming back. The other was a rule change which prohibited any sort of kicking passed the line of scrimmage. So if your options are to risk a bounce or to kick it with a place holder, you're gonna go with the place holder. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOtdYoaC_JG7nJ1Wcl2bNRiFR1RPj289NmCZTbH7Ozlds1O-00wwa4M52kLRBp-DJDaEX5mm06gA7WkRjC3Qp-4IGeP3mGZGT9aNgK1pJlcV_xW1YfRsmo4uGNnje85h_SSFThEL_2JIS/s1600/lucy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOtdYoaC_JG7nJ1Wcl2bNRiFR1RPj289NmCZTbH7Ozlds1O-00wwa4M52kLRBp-DJDaEX5mm06gA7WkRjC3Qp-4IGeP3mGZGT9aNgK1pJlcV_xW1YfRsmo4uGNnje85h_SSFThEL_2JIS/s200/lucy.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unless your holder is Lucy</td></tr>
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The drop kick could still be used as a surprise tactic. It may be risky but a fourth down defense will never be able to block a field goal. Then again field goals aren't typically blocked, they're missed, but hey, that's why it's a dead play.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Its dying day:</span><br />
<br />
The drop kick was dead in 1941, two weeks after the bombing of Pearl Harbor when Ray "Scooter" McLean used it to score a field goal for the Chicago Bears in their NFL Championship Game victory over the New York Giants. It was however, revived (kind of) in 2006 by Doug Flutie and the Patriots. In the last regular season game over Miami, the Patriots were satisfied with their seeding and had the backup quarterback drop kick for a field goal in the last seconds of play. It was more a tribute and a novelty for Flutie's last game. What it did best though, was confuse the sh*t out of Nick Saban. "It sort of screwed me up," as he took a time-out, "I couldn't figure out what was going on. They had a quarterback in, four tight ends and a receiver and there was no kicker. I was kind of pleased to know that somebody can still drop kick. Man, when I was a kid we all practiced that. Thought it was a lost art, but you know Flutie showed his age on that one."<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Singlewing Formation</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is it?</span><br />
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One of the oldest offensive formations in the books invented by Pop Warner at Carlisle with Jim Thorpe. With a modern perspective, this formation really looks like a pile of nonsense. It involved an unbalanced line with the quarterback no where near center. The quarterback lines up behind the right tackle and the tailback would receive the snap. It was later tweaked by Knute Rockne into the "Notre Dame Box" which added presnap motions and passing opportunities.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_rft5j7m-dkWkQWveif3aFvat2IpjK_LRiOXnLe2uSDy7bPIEsR0hVp3uuMxOtBLAan-BUSX8IUgOm0KZCx1MzDr-mmTdXXEabaxaCgWXznWiraT6VH1M8_wyiCPmx2UlsdXK_TJFvdM/s1600/Singlewingformation_vs5.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_rft5j7m-dkWkQWveif3aFvat2IpjK_LRiOXnLe2uSDy7bPIEsR0hVp3uuMxOtBLAan-BUSX8IUgOm0KZCx1MzDr-mmTdXXEabaxaCgWXznWiraT6VH1M8_wyiCPmx2UlsdXK_TJFvdM/s320/Singlewingformation_vs5.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We'll just call this UF-FSU 1921</td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What killed it?</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNf0l4xIfP-0E_cmd9ZjsODjXAsOrvq6YA7jH8YziOTrjjiK02yk3OtU1R0vWSOstgylUft6hscssCGZwRHceQI-jo15p-1u4IsbmSp4LW4WrIZfhRqw2sMaHrr0ZW8vFgWA_x25aqkrnt/s1600/PopatPitt1919Owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNf0l4xIfP-0E_cmd9ZjsODjXAsOrvq6YA7jH8YziOTrjjiK02yk3OtU1R0vWSOstgylUft6hscssCGZwRHceQI-jo15p-1u4IsbmSp4LW4WrIZfhRqw2sMaHrr0ZW8vFgWA_x25aqkrnt/s200/PopatPitt1919Owl.jpg" width="137" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glenn Scobey "Pop" Warner</td></tr>
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The evolution of football to a faster-paced throwing game saw less room for such one-sided schemes. The T formation began to take over, which had a more balanced approach to passing and running, and introduced option runs. The Pittsburg Steelers were the last to use it has their standard formation in 1952.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's dying day:</span><br />
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I realize I just said when the single wing died, but the truth is that it's not dead at all. If you know anything about the wildcat you should've been yelling it out loud when reading about the single wing. Though not exactly the same, the wildcat does borrow its run first philosophy and replaces the quarterback with a tailback<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Quick Kick</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What is it?</span><br />
<br />
The quick kick is by far the most pathetic play in football. Or at least it's early incarnation is. Any punt which is done outside the normal punting circumstances is a quick kick. Simply put, the quick kick is punting on a down other than fourth. Strategically, it's a way to back up the opponent by punting to no returner, at the cost of another down. It's admitting defeat on offense and digging at the bones for a few more defensive yards.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What killed it?</span><br />
<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1XVWySYScCYaRjNQ9HE4Z9xpB1NLJeYpK5Fdy11DjpAD7DMvITBNQg6XnaCdHCy0T2UBk0IWqI9BGxpe63yCfe0c47V8YRzz17WOteHyDZESlsNmiR9A3xxXekz6m3j6Ab4UFv7o0xN7/s1600/jacory-harris.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1XVWySYScCYaRjNQ9HE4Z9xpB1NLJeYpK5Fdy11DjpAD7DMvITBNQg6XnaCdHCy0T2UBk0IWqI9BGxpe63yCfe0c47V8YRzz17WOteHyDZESlsNmiR9A3xxXekz6m3j6Ab4UFv7o0xN7/s320/jacory-harris.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, we're just gonna punt it now...<br />
Wouldn't want you to throw another interception.</td></tr>
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It's just a bad idea, that's what. At no point should you abandon hope on offense, and no amount of punt yards justifies the loss of another attempt on offense. Because of this, the quick kick was never a popular strategy, and it's most common application occured when teams were winning by a good margin and feared running up the score.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It's dying day:</span><br />
<br />
Again, the quick kick isn't completely dead. It was instead redefined to any punt outside of normal punt formations regardless of down. Under this definition the quick kick is actually fairly popular as a trick play. The coach sends out their offense on 4th and short and the defense prepares for quick pass or loads the box, the quarterback takes the snap and punts the ball. The safeties are nowhere near the punted ball and the receivers arrive first to ensure a favorable roll.Arnaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031800106602904510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564521449939744196.post-25588891803611628242011-11-30T22:52:00.001-05:002012-01-29T18:50:33.519-05:00Xs and Os: Defensive and Special Teams Positions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhBCq7JFZT9Ta5R55BCLiqLQh8j82FCF3199BphBUGAWavylY4dkAjvL85s1FKryXFsnxFBxz-hUfPdyDNyH9nwrTGfZWteb6PX-ebOomODI2TMmdi9F1yWlbCrYehMZbwaI7I5vgXtiq/s1600/xsandos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhBCq7JFZT9Ta5R55BCLiqLQh8j82FCF3199BphBUGAWavylY4dkAjvL85s1FKryXFsnxFBxz-hUfPdyDNyH9nwrTGfZWteb6PX-ebOomODI2TMmdi9F1yWlbCrYehMZbwaI7I5vgXtiq/s320/xsandos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">by Arnaldo</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Obviously <span style="font-size: small;">after</span></span> covering offensive positions, defensive and
special positions were to follow. A lot
of these positions vary depending on the defensive scheme but we'll get into
that later. For now we'll just assume a
standard 4-3 defense.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Defensive Positions </span></div>
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Defenses have three levels, the defensive line, linebackers,
and the secondary. I realize the
secondary is the third level of the defense, but the name comes from the term
"the box" which combines the d-line and the linebackers making the
secondary the second line of defense.
Keep in mind that the rules allow defensive players to move freely and line
up anywhere on their side of the line of scrimmage, so where I say these players
line up may change during an actual game but they will usually line up there.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1r8bFLkmgEh4V-rraFzyZNjikuZ55GUOS8uGNaxOF6Up1VXdrgCxkpSlgBgEc-BaJ5FODDJfzDcIZFQ5KK53Rc02cNYdP_cQZkmAiXhfqo-FyFD4U9j99klDW93qS4DqZrm1hwVX-kDF/s1600/DefensiveTaclke.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1r8bFLkmgEh4V-rraFzyZNjikuZ55GUOS8uGNaxOF6Up1VXdrgCxkpSlgBgEc-BaJ5FODDJfzDcIZFQ5KK53Rc02cNYdP_cQZkmAiXhfqo-FyFD4U9j99klDW93qS4DqZrm1hwVX-kDF/s320/DefensiveTaclke.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Defensive Tackles and Ends</b>.
The defensive line consists of these.
The term "tackle" refers to the offensive tackles, if not the
act of tackling, so the defensive position is usually referred to as a
defensive tackle. The defensive line has
one job: tackle whoever has the ball. On
pass plays they are trying to penetrate the pocket to tackle the quarterback (a
sack). On run plays they are still
trying to penetrate the offensive line to reach the ball carrier. How they do this does vary depending on the
particular play. Defensive tackles line
up in a 3-point-stance on either side of (and facing) the center and usually
try to penetrate the A-gap, the gap between the center and either guard. In a 3-4 scheme, or any time a defensive
tackle lines up directly in front of the center, he is referred to as the nose
tackle. Defensive tackles are usually
the biggest players on the team weighing in between 300-370 pounds. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTrm3MmvNQ2YHWZr5q1K1sHPeRu_6Y7YjIxk3aofKkNQraHMdsA6A1KhVRXiRf-eHuf55pkKNK9iVAfxvcUKVTHjs1iDTr7iIswmBzQAfSToXg2bq44h6_S-l51ONHITrrmnY-Si53rFo/s1600/750px-DefensiveEnd43.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTrm3MmvNQ2YHWZr5q1K1sHPeRu_6Y7YjIxk3aofKkNQraHMdsA6A1KhVRXiRf-eHuf55pkKNK9iVAfxvcUKVTHjs1iDTr7iIswmBzQAfSToXg2bq44h6_S-l51ONHITrrmnY-Si53rFo/s320/750px-DefensiveEnd43.svg.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Defensive ends line up other outside the
defensive tackles also in a 3-point-stance.
They push the tackles while also trying to get around them using their
speed. Defensive ends are usually
smaller and quicker and there's a recent trend that is making them even smaller. The days of 290 pound ends are approaching
their end. Now, most teams (especially
in 4-3 schemes) use 250-275 pound ends that are quicker to get around the
tackle to make a sack, and can still drop back into coverage on specialized
plays (see Jarvis Moss, Derrick Harvey).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTZ9Ll4IQHBx6XtV8h2QWJdgbScub_b4NdAg5gC10G2lXVeiCoE-FBNFyi9rijNshxOI8BYPzIck-cKkD_CeVM5QOPpzZ1wdF4DWKw7dMB4QkZsBm7M0tF7jL2KVHdRzfRtv4edxpTtS2/s1600/750px-Linebacker.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTZ9Ll4IQHBx6XtV8h2QWJdgbScub_b4NdAg5gC10G2lXVeiCoE-FBNFyi9rijNshxOI8BYPzIck-cKkD_CeVM5QOPpzZ1wdF4DWKw7dMB4QkZsBm7M0tF7jL2KVHdRzfRtv4edxpTtS2/s320/750px-Linebacker.svg.png" width="320" /></a><b>Linebackers</b>. The
second level of defense are linebackers who line up, stay with me here, behind
the d-line. Their roles are typically more
complex than that of the linemen. In man
coverage they are assigned an offensive skill player to cover, while in zone
they have a tight zone to cover. They're
also the most common blitzers (whoever rushes the quarterback besides the
d-line). There are usually 3
linebackers on the field, two outside linebackers and a middle linebacker. They also have nicknames to distinguish which
linebacker they are. The middle
linebacker is referred to as Mike, the strong side linebacker is Sam, and the
weak side linebacker is Will. The strong
side of the field is determined by which side of the offensive line the tight
end line up , the opposite side is the weak side. More times than not, the right side (from the
offensive's perspective) is the strong side.
Furthermore, if the tight end goes in motion to the opposite side, the
defensive assignments may shift over so that Sam doesn't have to move with him,
unless that particular match-up is critical for the defense. Linebackers are typically lean but very well
built. They are usually around 245-270
pounds. The middle linebacker is
typically largest of the three but doesn't necessarily need to be. </div>
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<b>Cornerback.</b> The
cornerbacks along with safeties make up the secondary. Cornerbacks line up one on one against the X
and Z receivers, in most schemes. They
must be among the fastest players on the team to keep up with the receivers. Cornerbacks are not only responsible for not
letting his assignment get into open space, if a pass comes his way he has to
put himself between the ball and the receiver without interfering on the
receivers ability to catch the ball (this would result in a pass interference
call), and if he can, make an interception.
Cornerbacks are sometimes called on to blitz. Because of their angle towards the
quarterback, they often sneak up on him, so much so that former quarterback coach
and head coach Jon Gruden calls them corner cats (see Ronde Barber, Darrelle
Revis).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ04MCKHuC7sGQ43Uhyvh7jdqTUJqNYY7sG0oO_FoDGxclfjYAJzliIB50esnW-N3T5yxNkQQuBTQiCFzh9FioCJQHloueKXsA5HJqQUZhHXMp2F9X6z93YXL9JwcRunKEQbNsKZsn7SiR/s1600/750px-AmFBSafeties.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ04MCKHuC7sGQ43Uhyvh7jdqTUJqNYY7sG0oO_FoDGxclfjYAJzliIB50esnW-N3T5yxNkQQuBTQiCFzh9FioCJQHloueKXsA5HJqQUZhHXMp2F9X6z93YXL9JwcRunKEQbNsKZsn7SiR/s320/750px-AmFBSafeties.svg.png" width="320" /></a><b>Safeties</b>. Safeties
come in two varieties and there are usually only two on the field: strong
safeties and free safties. Strong
safeties are usually stronger but the name derives from strong side, where the
strong safety lines up behind the Sam linebacker (see Ahmad Black, John
Lynch). Free safeties line up loosely
behind the strong safety but on the weak side of the field. They typically are a bit quicker than strong
safeties. Safeties in general sit back
and wait to see the play unfold before engaging. If the play develops into a run, the safeties will engage to assist on the tackle from the "north" (the direction the offense is facing) so that in case the ball carrier escapes a few tackles, the safety is prepared to make the last possible tackle. Safeties are taught to never find themselves behind the offense, but different coverage schemes might have them on unusual parts of the field and certain blitz schemes might utilize safeties as pass rushers.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Special Teams Positions</span></div>
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A football team usually has 5 special teams. It could have fewer depending on how the personnel carry over, but there are 5 different needs for a special team: kick-offs, kick returns, punts, punt returns, and onside kicking/receiving (hands teams). Field goals typically use the same team that handles punts but with a kicker instead of a punter, and a holder. The majority of each special team is made up of starters and back-ups of various positions with the addition of a few specialized roles and a few specialized positions.</div>
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Let me begin by differentiating a role and a position. A position is the type of player who handles certain responsibilities. A role is a job that could be filled by a certain position or various positions. A quarterback is a position, the starting quarterback is a role. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOBOmabdgkk7zVB7HYmevFT7KJ4OY7AYLnLUtwqpcJKmtT8cHHj_Ka2xRQPSchFnEticSrNABWu67WEhQ8iS5zpbXpFlZsN3b0xjyXnMbd_pZ1kgAkvizvKUdB82ygKiOVE202JNw_HyU/s1600/kickersturgis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOBOmabdgkk7zVB7HYmevFT7KJ4OY7AYLnLUtwqpcJKmtT8cHHj_Ka2xRQPSchFnEticSrNABWu67WEhQ8iS5zpbXpFlZsN3b0xjyXnMbd_pZ1kgAkvizvKUdB82ygKiOVE202JNw_HyU/s320/kickersturgis.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo: photo-gator (Flickr)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Kicker.</b> The kicker handles the kick-off and field goal kicking. A kicker's experience probably includes punting, but the two positions are specialized, so there is a designated kicker and punter. Keep in mind punting involves receiving the snapped ball, dropping it and kicking, while kicking refers to kicking the ball from a tee or by a live place holder. </div>
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<b>Punter. </b> Already kind of defined above, a punter is called upon on 4th down situations to strategically giving up a down to move the ball as far back as possible for the other offense to use. In the event of a safety, a punt by the nonscoring team is required to return the ball back to the scoring team's offense from the 20 yard line, though a tee-less kick or a drop kick is also allowed. College rules now allow a team to kick off the ball with a tee from the 20 instead. Punters and kickers have no size significance. Their skills lie solely on their abilities to kick, so usually they may vary in height but are usually very skinny.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VjxZBr1RhPboIu0QA-E9pp0vZAYG1U3BLLut0nqHjg_HF5Xec52maxCNr0JFXex_zAd8QrGp3X1MDHKatnNlg2nlBwvko5QRd4Uo8M8YWTGuIsJgwNoMbCcMDzj4s55lqF5mynQVBh9X/s1600/longsnapper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VjxZBr1RhPboIu0QA-E9pp0vZAYG1U3BLLut0nqHjg_HF5Xec52maxCNr0JFXex_zAd8QrGp3X1MDHKatnNlg2nlBwvko5QRd4Uo8M8YWTGuIsJgwNoMbCcMDzj4s55lqF5mynQVBh9X/s320/longsnapper.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo: photo-gator (Flickr)</td></tr>
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<b>Long snapper</b>. The long snapper is a specialized position. On punts and field goal tries, he will line up at center, and snap the ball back to the punter or holder. This requires him to be a much more precise snapper than the starting center. The long snapper also needs to see his snap for precision while a center snaps while facing forward.</div>
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<b>Holder.</b> The holder is a role. It's usually filled by a punter or occasionally a backup quarterback. On field goal attempts they catch the football from long snapper and quickly set it up to be kicked.<br />
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<b>Punt/kick returner</b>. These are also roles filled usually by the fastest shiftiest player, typically a wide receiver, running back, or defensive back. There is usually a separate punt returner than kick returner. Some kickoff formations have two possible returners on both sides of the field. Returners need to be fast, but the ability to read blocks down field, escape tackles, and make quick cuts and jukes are probably just, if not more, important than pure speed.</div>
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</div>Arnaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031800106602904510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564521449939744196.post-37775569746268775472011-11-30T17:14:00.001-05:002011-12-02T00:04:23.381-05:00Xs and Os: Recognizing Penalties: Episode 1<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hvFmqFK9i95lrxO-DLbIXaJzf-wDbSyfCJ9VeqvXN71lHN6dRQNlfUDFcxAVE7lzJKdVeuiSFEOAnA9qusIxCnWH2V8CjgxpFaAMPqvPROfZtUf8TszwDRjpZ6DDyAoFqd0ZTUZO3XB_/s1600/xsandos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hvFmqFK9i95lrxO-DLbIXaJzf-wDbSyfCJ9VeqvXN71lHN6dRQNlfUDFcxAVE7lzJKdVeuiSFEOAnA9qusIxCnWH2V8CjgxpFaAMPqvPROfZtUf8TszwDRjpZ6DDyAoFqd0ZTUZO3XB_/s320/xsandos.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">by Dub</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The stadium</span> is roaring.
The other team is on offense on its own 20 and just ran a deep pass play on 3</span><span style="font-size: small;"><sup>rd</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
and 10. Forty yards down the field lies a yellow penalty flag. Your team’s
number one corner back is walking back to the defensive huddle shaking his head
and trying to speak to the referee. He throws his hands up in frustration and
the referee queues his mic to let us all know, “Pass interference, Defense, Number
31, Automatic first down”. The crowd erupts, as a fan next to you is screaming
and trying to get a “BULLSH*T” chant started among the others. You feel lost,
not knowing what just transpired on the field, and you want to know how to
avoid it for next time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOdyvW6TEdweViFk1kqpTqgoavgrQItPvy18HUJ9ZE5iXn9oNpeeHO532236bmcLbWbaXy2G9KpidGEA99hLCz1tdC-XCMM5bi0t2PzUfBvCFIQU4bPqJBm_SpQOguiln3eBElb1gCXGB/s1600/384MuschampWill1109030785TCase-M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOdyvW6TEdweViFk1kqpTqgoavgrQItPvy18HUJ9ZE5iXn9oNpeeHO532236bmcLbWbaXy2G9KpidGEA99hLCz1tdC-XCMM5bi0t2PzUfBvCFIQU4bPqJBm_SpQOguiln3eBElb1gCXGB/s320/384MuschampWill1109030785TCase-M.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We here at Bruce and
Albert know that watching football with your friends can be a little
intimidating. No one wants to stand up and scream at the television, cheering
and high-fiving his friends, or to rally the marching band to play the penalty
song, only to find out the penalty is against your own team. This is our first
installment of Xs and Os: Recognizing penalties. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The first set of
penalties we will discuss is one that hits rather close to home for us Gators
& Buccaneers fans: interference calls on receivers and defensive players.
There are a number of calls that can be made down field that could
either negatively or positively influence your team's success. For all of our
rules discussions, we will be using the 2011 Official Playing Rules and
Casebook of the National Football League which can be found <a href="http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/image/rulebook/pdfs/2011_Rule_Book.pdf">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I could just tell you
what the penalties are, and have you look them up, but we'll explain here with
some photos to better detail the rules. The most often called penalty down
field is Defensive pass interference, often referred to among football
geeks as "PI". As a precursor to all of this verbiage, though, we
want to make very clear that none of these penalties will ever be called, NCAA
or NFL, if the defensive or offensive player is watching the ball and making a
play without looking back at the other player. This will be explained later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DlPdcPAH0gvl9guJqFrCOMZQzCEVDEQ8n37K5WQAa6AeBAlLV7PfxGVUrr0MMZ6rD6TcKmO76aQMoELI_AxXgIXABdmH-Nlq3rOSZ5KwqZNI3ZhTixyhbhffwK1NCBSfmNqQOB3zw5Ln/s1600/pass+interference.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DlPdcPAH0gvl9guJqFrCOMZQzCEVDEQ8n37K5WQAa6AeBAlLV7PfxGVUrr0MMZ6rD6TcKmO76aQMoELI_AxXgIXABdmH-Nlq3rOSZ5KwqZNI3ZhTixyhbhffwK1NCBSfmNqQOB3zw5Ln/s320/pass+interference.jpg" width="248" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">As defined by the
National Football League in Rule 8 Section 5 Article 1, <i>"It is
pass interference by either team when any act by a player more than one
yard beyond the line of scrimmage significantly hinders the progress of an
eligible receiver’s opportunity to catch the ball. Pass interference can
only occur when a forward pass is thrown from behind the line of scrimmage,
regardless of whether the pass is legal or illegal, or whether it crosses the
line". </i>In short terms, Defensive PI occurs when the quarterback (or whoever is acting as the passer) throws the football to a receiver, and the
defensive player makes contact to prevent the receiver from making a catch, before the ball arrives (see figure to the left).
Offensive PI is the same, but the roles are switched; it occurs when a receiver
is going down field and realizes he cannot make a play on the ball,
so he keeps a defensive player from catching the ball through contact, which is defined as any touching between two players after the ball has left the hand
of the quarterback, but before arriving at a catchable point for either player. These are usually tactics used by players when playing very
aggressive coverage, or if there is possibility of the receiver or defensive
player making a game changing play on the ball, like a touchdown or interception
as the case may be. As a side note, contact down field between a defensive
player and receiver to prevent making a catch is called Illegal Contact, if the
ball has not left the hand of the quarterback. The distinction between the two
is easy to remember, if the ball is thrown its interference, and if it’s not, it’s
illegal contact.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">While penalties are
usually a sign of an undisciplined football team, pass interference is not
always a bad thing. Now we’re going to talk about situational pass interference
using some names you might know. Florida is playing against Tennessee, and
Florida is on offense. John Brantley receives a snap and looks down field
for Andre Debose. He throws the ball down field where Andre and a
corner back are sprinting toward the end zone (for all intents and purposes this
corner back will be referred to as CB). The ball is in the air, arching down
toward the two players racing to make a game changing play. Debose jumps into
the air to make a catch, but jumps too early, realizing he may have misjudged
the ball. He realizes that, not only is he not going to catch the ball, but CB
who ran slightly slower than Debose is closer to the ball and looks to make a clean interception, and
possible return. Mid-air, Debose grabs the defensive player and wraps his arms
around him, dragging him to the ground, preventing CB from making the play. You
know, though, that this will not result in a turnover, and instead just be a
penalty. As a football team, you ALWAYS want to prevent a score, at whatever
cost. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebnbTecNMFhVGNKG7LALOrm1nGw57yLWZTGzns9dGGEKRLerjyR01lUIGPNbnedi7VU5f_Dqjv6RICLM_t6vuiThIJoYqDGZKBdIb1v95EEQGYStNLshaugi-QhP1DU0B58NDL5zMEZBC/s1600/bilde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebnbTecNMFhVGNKG7LALOrm1nGw57yLWZTGzns9dGGEKRLerjyR01lUIGPNbnedi7VU5f_Dqjv6RICLM_t6vuiThIJoYqDGZKBdIb1v95EEQGYStNLshaugi-QhP1DU0B58NDL5zMEZBC/s320/bilde.jpg" width="320" /></a>The other kind of
down field “interference” penalty is Defensive Holding. Defensive Holding is
defined in the NFL rulebook Rule 8 Section 4 Article 6“<i>… defensive holding if a player grasps an eligible offensive player (or
his jersey) with his hands, or extends
an arm or arms to cut off or encircle him”. </i>This occurs when a receiver is
running down field and a part of his body or uniform is held by a defensive
player, who is trying to prevent him from making a play. This call is also very
easy to understand, when you have the right signs. A player might be running
slower than normal, or look hindered; this is a situation when you check the
defensive player’s hands during the play and see if he is grasping any material
or part of the other player. This is a call that, like pass interference, can
be made to prevent a big scoring play. However, sometimes both of these plays
are made by a defensive player who realizes he is beaten and is just making a
last ditch effort to disrupt the play.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As we stated in our
precursor, none of these plays will be called penalties if a player is “playing
the ball” not “playing the man”. Here is a very quick explanation. Imagine two
players standing on the goal line. We’ll use Andre Debose and CB again as our
examples. Debose and CB are looking back downfield toward where John Brantley
is standing and has thrown the ball. As the ball approaches the two players on
its downward arc, Debose and CB bend at their knees and prepare to jump. Debose
is in front (closer to John Brantley than the end zone), and uses hand to
stabilize himself on the other player as he is in the process of jumping. They
both jump and Debose makes the catch, immediately being tackled by CB. This is
what is known as Incidental Contact, and will be a “no call” every time. The
reason it is not called is because Debose is making a play on the ball without
vastly changing the outcome of the play. While it may give him a slight edge,
as long as he is looking at the ball and not making an obvious effort to give
himself an advantage, he won’t get flagged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Hopefully, now you will
be able to watch a football game and know not only the penalties being called,
but how to quickly recognize them, and whether or not they were situationally
advantageous for your team. If you have any questions, please comment on this
post and we’ll respond as soon as possible! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564521449939744196.post-84196899960497697052011-11-30T15:55:00.001-05:002012-01-04T02:28:10.882-05:003 Reason Why We Can't Live Without the BCS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_Nr4UjaCrCNWZaeu13r9eSCnUQv4l1DMCqVEpF663WWeCUB2DjDnPh-3JYu0MICf8hTzfk2XBnXszqL7CADMg0OBBuzsjEAD80-KoI1QMiM1ZGY-4_qv2lvv7UI7BU7rpK4TLvTNf9tJ/s1600/Bcs_logo_2010.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_Nr4UjaCrCNWZaeu13r9eSCnUQv4l1DMCqVEpF663WWeCUB2DjDnPh-3JYu0MICf8hTzfk2XBnXszqL7CADMg0OBBuzsjEAD80-KoI1QMiM1ZGY-4_qv2lvv7UI7BU7rpK4TLvTNf9tJ/s320/Bcs_logo_2010.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;">by Arnaldo </span></div>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">1. There's No Going Back.</span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The BCS</span> was specifically designed to pit the No.1 and No.2 teams together in a national championship game so there would be no uncertainty about which teams is truly the nation's best. You may think this is obvious but it really didn't start happening until the BCS was formed in 1998. Its predecessor, the Bowl Alliance, and its predecessor, the Bowl Coalition, set out to do just that but couldn't get the Pac 10 or the Big 10 involved, which left the Rose Bowl to screw things up for everyone. The result was the opposite of the goal.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXR30L0_qviwHwvIHP0KR3BTPRdH46LZZ_Jln6WhGyv_pPTB83y4god9wBjQBP4Ye5awvZqT0ptcDdpCan_LoccaqFNU3d4yspYfAtxRhJxaPtsVI7WGSA-nT2cTlwmJ4MXTVpuBDGL9QO/s1600/500px-Florida_Gators_logo.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXR30L0_qviwHwvIHP0KR3BTPRdH46LZZ_Jln6WhGyv_pPTB83y4god9wBjQBP4Ye5awvZqT0ptcDdpCan_LoccaqFNU3d4yspYfAtxRhJxaPtsVI7WGSA-nT2cTlwmJ4MXTVpuBDGL9QO/s200/500px-Florida_Gators_logo.svg.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...AM I RIGHT?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkHOC9yIw8J3rbptJlZ_KkROG4V1A1tOLvbNjehkm8EO63YmV1GINvk43uzsdm6DgWGf5ySbastO-fSbdDzwAo3crluLjuPtTrGEZEloH4GIWNvwdZbdOT5iiPw_GqB7Zn0RoF98E-G6s/s1600/500px-FSU_Seminoles.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkHOC9yIw8J3rbptJlZ_KkROG4V1A1tOLvbNjehkm8EO63YmV1GINvk43uzsdm6DgWGf5ySbastO-fSbdDzwAo3crluLjuPtTrGEZEloH4GIWNvwdZbdOT5iiPw_GqB7Zn0RoF98E-G6s/s200/500px-FSU_Seminoles.svg.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The game of the century...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Loyal Gator fans may remember that in 1996, No.3 Florida played in the Sugar Bowl against No.1 Florida State because No.2 Arizona State was locked into the Rose Bowl with No.4 Ohio State. Because of the Rose Bowl's refusal to lose one of its big money-making tie-ins, the national champion would have to be somehow sifted out of that mess. Luckily, Arizona State fell to the Buckeyes while the Gators exacted revenge over Florida State for its embarassing loss just a month before, leaving no ambiguity as to whom should be crowned national champions.<br />
<br />
College football wasn't always so lucky however. Just the following year, No.1 Michigan was locked into the Rose Bowl against No.8 Washington State while the Bowl Alliance dubbed their "national championship match" No.2 Nebraska versus No.3 Tennessee. No matter how decisively Michigan beat Washington State, they would still have to share the national championship with Nebraska. Six years after setting out to match up No.1 and No.2, these systems only accomplished such match-ups three times. Naturally, this left way for the BCS to form, kick the Rose Bowl in the ass and tell them to cut it out, and introduce computer formulas as part of their ranking system.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHajUQNRErOHRx50ZVrZCJuZj01wHhDsFzBPmK3CwFgqLcFIOvfXhkdNvemElpilOJkjByukD0wI8CNgfuIs2J-rXJkFWKQAYseO_O-pYwJjmXW2Fyxvl6nIoXMwOg6opnceV34YVCO-3/s1600/500px-UT_Volunteers_logo.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHajUQNRErOHRx50ZVrZCJuZj01wHhDsFzBPmK3CwFgqLcFIOvfXhkdNvemElpilOJkjByukD0wI8CNgfuIs2J-rXJkFWKQAYseO_O-pYwJjmXW2Fyxvl6nIoXMwOg6opnceV34YVCO-3/s200/500px-UT_Volunteers_logo.svg.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I bet Power T misses those days.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">2. Coaches Can't Be Trusted, but Computers Can.</span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
If you don't know the following names, you probably should: Jeff Sagarin, Jeff Anderson and Chris Heston, Richard Billingsley, Wes Colley, Kenneth Massey, and Peter Wolfe. They're the seven most important men in college football, I don't care what ESPN says. If the BCS were a medieval secret society, these men would be the council of elders.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN73gh-XmGdZHRqPu2jqt1BneA2KtjjAsAW4bJvZkgOeiq9kgV8LihgB4MqabXpJLwQPueN1R_7scu5E8Sydlj8ETbvjmLWgCFIagDocYzRNAX6kmhWz2zw4K68_aZAmP8BgRSE_OdVMNa/s1600/830px-Councilrots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN73gh-XmGdZHRqPu2jqt1BneA2KtjjAsAW4bJvZkgOeiq9kgV8LihgB4MqabXpJLwQPueN1R_7scu5E8Sydlj8ETbvjmLWgCFIagDocYzRNAX6kmhWz2zw4K68_aZAmP8BgRSE_OdVMNa/s320/830px-Councilrots.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like this, but nerdier... ok, less nerdy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
They are the creators of the six computer formulas that make up a third of the BCS rankings and when compared to the other thirds, the Harris Interactive Poll, which is made up of a randomized 115 voters, or the USA Today Coaches' Poll, which is comprised up of only 59 of the 120 FBS head coaches, they clearly hold the most power. Of course, however, they don't actually pick which teams they think are best. Instead, these men create the six (two are a duo; adorbs, I know) formulas and algorithms that determine which teams are. Needless to say, they are incredibly smart; two of them hold Ph.D.s (one in astrophysical sciences from Princeton).<br />
<br />
But don't worry, they're not actually hell-bent on dominating college football with lairs of super computers and lab equipment (a disappointment, I'll admit). Most of them haven't even met each other. The egos alone would be too much to handle, claims Billingsley, and all of their formulas have fundamental disagreements, such as home field advantages, particular effects from strength of schedule, and how exactly to calculate early season versus late season game significance. The point is that these formulas level one another out. Also, keep in mind that the highest and lowest score for each team is thrown out. What they do best is keep those cynical coaches in line.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWJHH_2D3bVsUW5nKWft7tYAq-i-Q0mb1sP9tzsvwwF8po_DvJJogFpmoZEh6r7-EuG72r_SZkh19o491k7SABdhvt7fwONJlyMitxlvQb6p9JJfz7pSSdjwBZf-qpERSZJy1JOkrkoQp/s1600/500px-Ole_Miss_rebels_Logo.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="66" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWJHH_2D3bVsUW5nKWft7tYAq-i-Q0mb1sP9tzsvwwF8po_DvJJogFpmoZEh6r7-EuG72r_SZkh19o491k7SABdhvt7fwONJlyMitxlvQb6p9JJfz7pSSdjwBZf-qpERSZJy1JOkrkoQp/s200/500px-Ole_Miss_rebels_Logo.svg.png" width="200" /></a>Why are they cynical you ask? Go to Les Miles' office and candidly ask him who he thinks is the best team in the nation. No doubt he'll say his own team, and he clearly has the right to do so. Now go ask Nick Saban. He'll probably also say his own team, and he, too, has all the right to do so. Now go ask Houston Nutt. Hopefully he wouldn't say his 2-8 Rebels but to be honest, if I were in his position, I'd sure as hell would. It's only natural to be a bit biased, and the same goes to all those former players and coaches voting in the Harris Poll.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjte_RUNrmf_pxfK436Mvb6Hf3K15nRInMyguHlxEZ9pfL6g8WNdklWjlA4K_q1iGP-Is8nZZCADJCvSWHzzZXDR6r9217C8izM4t6fv0nyj57bq7Si2rrRA5iSM-_mqPhN4r6veHgoWuac/s1600/500px-Oklahoma_Sooners_logo.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjte_RUNrmf_pxfK436Mvb6Hf3K15nRInMyguHlxEZ9pfL6g8WNdklWjlA4K_q1iGP-Is8nZZCADJCvSWHzzZXDR6r9217C8izM4t6fv0nyj57bq7Si2rrRA5iSM-_mqPhN4r6veHgoWuac/s200/500px-Oklahoma_Sooners_logo.svg.png" width="144" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Univesity of Oklahoma = OU?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To throw some proof into my argument (some people still use "proof"), go back to the 2008 college football season. The No.2 Gators were pitted against No.1 Oklahoma Sooners, the team that despite being in a 3-way tie with Texas and Texas Tech for the Big 12 South, had one of college football's most successful offenses scoring a whopping 52.9 points per game. Florida held them to only two touchdowns winning 24-14, beating two top ranked teams back-to-back. No one questioned that the Florida Gators were the best team in the nation... except for one prick.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjSQRekmsYoSwar7j2Pw-wVjnonLL6ToAnySupXuaJZLE1_juwUJA2zDVzwh1Id3NWmn7BPnCuJuH9YDOOaNp5HuB0ko_hxrPoIH8EF8_8R-QFDvAv8QH7onlhyTT4uomhawAkzpzjKlP/s1600/500px-Utah_Utes_logo.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjSQRekmsYoSwar7j2Pw-wVjnonLL6ToAnySupXuaJZLE1_juwUJA2zDVzwh1Id3NWmn7BPnCuJuH9YDOOaNp5HuB0ko_hxrPoIH8EF8_8R-QFDvAv8QH7onlhyTT4uomhawAkzpzjKlP/s200/500px-Utah_Utes_logo.svg.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You mean this powerhouse?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kyle Whittingham, Utah head coach, finished his season undefeated with a Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama and annoucned publicly he would vote his team No.1 and to hell with the consequences. The catch is that the American Football Coaches' Association requires all coaches to vote the winner of the BCS National Championship Game No.1 in the final Coaches' Poll. I'm not sure if he was fined, but I assume there was a reprimand of some sort (no one cared enough to write anything about it).<br />
<br />
The point is that the computers serve as a check and balance for the human voters, much like the American Constitution does for our government, and you support America don't you?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">3. To Play-off or Not to Play-off . . . The Answer's "Not". </span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
The simplest way to settle any multiplayer competition is with a tournament, there's no disagreement there. The problem is that college football isn't at all simple, and the road to simplicity is paved with millions and millions of dollars that aren't yours and aren't going anywhere.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hU5GRBwwW88hLNnMM54GuPpmhyphenhyphenDynRlcySSLZ31srRj3BT9XeJWdVEETrT0O4lDqJ0MC_hKGD4iOlD3JkfLuOlpKL9pwFCgpdW2UurPU8jra9qZD1pRVEt1fWBODjqFSVoLgB9iMHlV9/s1600/yellow-brick-road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hU5GRBwwW88hLNnMM54GuPpmhyphenhyphenDynRlcySSLZ31srRj3BT9XeJWdVEETrT0O4lDqJ0MC_hKGD4iOlD3JkfLuOlpKL9pwFCgpdW2UurPU8jra9qZD1pRVEt1fWBODjqFSVoLgB9iMHlV9/s320/yellow-brick-road.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like this, but green and not as happy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In theory, with 120 FBS teams, you could have a seven game play-off with a few first round byes and then EVERYONE has a shot for the naitonal championship (I'd like to see President Obama's bracket then). But doing so means teams would have to travel across the country every other week, fans would have to follow them, and rivalries would diminish. After all, you can't sustain a rivalry if you don't play that team often. Of course, some rivalries have been established for over a century, so diminishing said rivalries could result in a hot steaming mess of hostility.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsybhoYOBrJzK6LC63xJocyqGY-089oY35-ewwaORHWxA-3oKe5fzDNDgDEuxSObwhAUSwyL9JYILmd50wE8xmsTWLlGf3BJ99eYn5ELv_QHGwD-HwecKaz7B5Rw4Lmd53hbXTx4S38CL/s1600/LSU_Registered_White.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsybhoYOBrJzK6LC63xJocyqGY-089oY35-ewwaORHWxA-3oKe5fzDNDgDEuxSObwhAUSwyL9JYILmd50wE8xmsTWLlGf3BJ99eYn5ELv_QHGwD-HwecKaz7B5Rw4Lmd53hbXTx4S38CL/s200/LSU_Registered_White.gif" width="200" /></a>Obviuosly this is an extreme case and a likely play-off system wouldn't exceed eight teams. This would call for 3 extra games between the conference championship games and the national championship. the problem here is that there is already an extensive system in place that also isn't going anywhere: bowl games. One possible solution is the use bowl games as play-offs. This couldn't be more disastrous in my mind. I already mentioned how reluctant (and stupid) the Rose Bowl has been to loosen its conference tie-ins for the good of college football. This idea would require almost all bowl games to lose their tie-ins and diminish in value altogether. Bowl games make money from television deals and butts in seats at stadiums. These butts sit down because it's there team's last game. Say you're an LSU alumnus right now, but in this proposed play-off system, and say you had a good living with a moderate income. Your team has to play in Atlanta, and then three other places before it can get to New Orleans for the national championship. How many of these expensive trips would you be willing to make? Maybe one if it's close, but the realistic answer is that you're gonna hold up for the big 'Ship. Who wouldn't? The good people who run these tgames and the not-so-good people who televise them know this. The coaches and teams don't want to play more games, and the institutions will never let this radical new idea cut into their regular season revenue.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgrUFp638cmbKFffDdV4ifFYKDiHssX5w7fRpiSPOy9X2mz3EZOVxhhJCXEgN3njmYfKjc8pczgGN3UDKKQ_svJA5HeOTT4YEKqv9Im_8rkplnhKyyYvaeoDWOx2vvJRaHE1QPlvwLD1i/s1600/500px-Sugar_Bowl_logo.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgrUFp638cmbKFffDdV4ifFYKDiHssX5w7fRpiSPOy9X2mz3EZOVxhhJCXEgN3njmYfKjc8pczgGN3UDKKQ_svJA5HeOTT4YEKqv9Im_8rkplnhKyyYvaeoDWOx2vvJRaHE1QPlvwLD1i/s200/500px-Sugar_Bowl_logo.svg.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You mad, bro?</td></tr>
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Also consider this, what happens to the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and all the other classic bowl games we've been watching for over a century? They become stepping stones for the national championship. The winner of the national championship would also be the winner of the Sugar Bowl, and the Rose Bowl, or whatever game was used as a play-off. Where do you think that Sugar Bowl trophy goes in the trophy room? Probably somewhere behind the Coaches' Trophy they won a week later. And the prize money? Are we gonna let one team clean house on all the $17 million payouts these games award?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzKla-Q4CQYuZqgeQDpZ5DGQ2a0RpZR-Me1EKNUPA_fO-paHoe3sdXf3Umtxl135u69qmFSLKsMWzkq9xoe6omtsXOpploHwj6aYYPkAU1yPMmvb7TPpPoFGYR9EHz7fm4YmPGs-ML_Ki/s1600/FAMC_Music_City_Bowl_logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzKla-Q4CQYuZqgeQDpZ5DGQ2a0RpZR-Me1EKNUPA_fO-paHoe3sdXf3Umtxl135u69qmFSLKsMWzkq9xoe6omtsXOpploHwj6aYYPkAU1yPMmvb7TPpPoFGYR9EHz7fm4YmPGs-ML_Ki/s200/FAMC_Music_City_Bowl_logo.gif" width="157" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You mean the Franklin American <br />
Mortgage Company Music City Bowl<br />
will keep its prestige? Thank God!</td></tr>
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I once devised a system that in my opinion is the closes thing to a feasible play-off. It's a play-off plus bowl game. The top eight teams go into a home/away seeded play-off (more money for the schools instead of the BCS), where the losers of each level get selected to a major bowl game to be played the same week as the following play-off, with a bye before the national championship game. All other bowl games are selected as usual. This makes a win-win situation (at least financially) for everyone. There are more games to be televised, the universities make more money hosting games, and the major bowl games are only slightly diminished. They would, after all, be a loser's bracket in this scenario.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaR7WXitxI-a1MaMa-I_P5TsqSAea23K5ggdYBud2A3nVOmMcr7iU4GGNM7zhwWtUTSkQLsjlZWRe5yI1JlUh6dNgHY53Q-gmbAZH37N4fsH1fkVlCRIfjyaZJpDvviLYgEADlBCT2GtKs/s1600/SEC_new_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaR7WXitxI-a1MaMa-I_P5TsqSAea23K5ggdYBud2A3nVOmMcr7iU4GGNM7zhwWtUTSkQLsjlZWRe5yI1JlUh6dNgHY53Q-gmbAZH37N4fsH1fkVlCRIfjyaZJpDvviLYgEADlBCT2GtKs/s200/SEC_new_logo.png" width="200" /></a><br />
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The reason I don't agree with (even my own) play-off system is mostly because of the potential for a loss of pageantry. Any team should be excited to be in a major bowl game. It should be hard to get there. The idea of making them a loser's game changes the entire perception for hungry teams. If you don't believe me see 2008 Alabama. They lost to Florida in the SEC Championship and entered the usually prestigious Sugar Bowl with nothing to play for and lost to a non-automatic qualifier, Utah (as I mentioned before). Sure Florida went into the same scenario the next year and won by quite a margin, but not all teams are coached the same, and not all teams play just for the sake of playing the game. Also, there's the clinch problem. Now, because there isn't a guaranteed clinch in this system, this shouldn't be a big or frequent problem, but it could still happen. This year's LSU team could sit their starters, lose to Georgia, and they wouldn't drop below No.8. Experts are saying they have such a bump over everyone else, they could lose and still go to the national championship at No.2. Not only is the pageantry of college football being diminished, the conference championship would become completely insignificant in this scenario.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_praJitrU7SCrIUzIXdE-Qhao8flROwoY0pVF59XpaoaCNvqDco8LDAn4on2_KK1Pho7kx-IvRX8HR0FOHHyQ1jzvMgFxyQu2xJbL6sRIcnxmByKskkRg2jdMhrCE_Z5KOOgX6JqDi8p/s1600/500px-National_Football_League_2008.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_praJitrU7SCrIUzIXdE-Qhao8flROwoY0pVF59XpaoaCNvqDco8LDAn4on2_KK1Pho7kx-IvRX8HR0FOHHyQ1jzvMgFxyQu2xJbL6sRIcnxmByKskkRg2jdMhrCE_Z5KOOgX6JqDi8p/s200/500px-National_Football_League_2008.svg.png" width="151" /></a><br />
The moral of the story, kids, is that the BCS isn't evil; it's not even a bad idea. Quite frankly, it's still the best idea we've had in the entire history of college football for crowning a national champion. Any changes would just bring us closer to the No Fun League (good closing joke, huh?).<br />
<br />Arnaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031800106602904510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564521449939744196.post-60168987002129585812011-11-30T02:47:00.001-05:002012-01-04T02:28:30.489-05:00Twitter Update: Florida Gators<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">by Arnaldo </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">What</span> <span style="font-size: x-large;">are</span> players tweeting about? Wide receiver Stephen Alli tells full back (athlete) Trey Burton he's craving a banana at 1:30 in the morning. Strong safety Matt Elam replies, "huh?"<br />
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In other news, I'm starting to rethink this entire twitter update idea.Arnaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031800106602904510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564521449939744196.post-13234786032414431562011-11-29T22:13:00.001-05:002012-08-27T21:49:49.307-04:00Xs and Os: Offensive Positions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">by Arnaldo </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">blog</span> plans to have an "Xs and Os" series ofposts giving you an elementary approach to a certain topic, and graduallybecome more and more in depth. They'llbe tagged "Xs and Os" so if you plan on studying up just type thatinto the search bar.</div>
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Thanks to our first request, this lesson plans to break downall offensive positions, their typical player size, and their function.</div>
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Let's begin with breaking down the sections of theoffense. There are essentially two: theoffensive line, and the skill positions. I never liked the term skill positions because I truthfully believegames are won in the trenches and the offensive line is often more valuable.</div>
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The offensive line breaks down into 5 players of 3 positions. They are tackles, guards, and a center. The center lines up where the ball isplaced. He is surrounded on either sideby a guard, who is then followed by a tackle. The five linemen have essentially the same function after the ball issnapped (by the center). This may soundsimple but it requires a lot of focus and quick reflexes. On run plays, they run block by pushingforward (or in a predetermined direction/fashion) and leading the ball carrier,and on pass plays they back up and form a "pocket" around the quarterback"pass blocking" the defender sent in to rush the Quarterback.</div>
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The center has the added responsibility of calling theoffensive line block schemes. This meanshe's telling the rest of the line who to block and in which way, depending onwhere the defense lines up (unlike the offensive line, the defense can line uphowever they like).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGwVoSy-PzxvYm1Y3XkjI9vSTC8cf9jtwJBCn9xFYp5RGHX-5q1S3Fx_HiOSlV-P9MNZmX9_xeRA6Kt9X57fMPjWvsAOmujZxAu1hcT8t5fob8sng-YV7b4fUPD9ydfBa9EobSgJhUX1G/s1600/800px-Football-Formation-QB.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGwVoSy-PzxvYm1Y3XkjI9vSTC8cf9jtwJBCn9xFYp5RGHX-5q1S3Fx_HiOSlV-P9MNZmX9_xeRA6Kt9X57fMPjWvsAOmujZxAu1hcT8t5fob8sng-YV7b4fUPD9ydfBa9EobSgJhUX1G/s320/800px-Football-Formation-QB.svg.png" width="320" /></a><b>Quarterback</b>. Thequarterback's chief job is to pass the ball to any of the other skillpositions. Note that the offensive linemenare considered ineligible receivers, unless they line up in a differentposition and there are 5 other linemen as usual. Also note that football allows one forwardpass per play, which is why those rare double pass plays requires the first oneto be backwards. The quarterback alsolines up in one of three positions: under center, shotgun, or pistol. Under center is pretty self-explanatory,where he is right behind the center reaching under his legs close to theball. The shotgun is the other mostcommon position where the quarterback stands a few yards behind thecenter. This has its benefits and risks(high or fumbled snaps). The pistol(rare nowadays) is about halfway between the center and the shotgunposition. The quarterback also calls thesnap count, hands the ball off on running plays, occasionally becomes a ballcarrier on option plays (we'll get to these later), and calls audibles (on thespot change of play) if he sees the defense is lined up in an unfavorable way. Quarterbacks vary in size depending on theirrole but they are usually not welcomed in the NFL if they are not at least 6feet tall (see Chris Leak). Strictpocket passers may look like they don't play football at all by just looking atthem (see Eli Manning, Tony Romo). Scramblers are usually more athletic whether it be built for speed (seeMichael Vick), strength (see Ben Rothlisberger), or both (see Tim Tebow, AaronRodgers).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LZ6LjgRcNa61kvqhmM62IUUOuGRUV21z-EYghAnMl-W_obGZPMiyCdF58ZQg6QHBYlqyWmfUR96RaIWHCY9z3x8loG4zr1smvTuKE1Y6PH-4nhRBaIgpY5lHdSzLitB9t41XwgcOVrYT/s1600/800px-Football-Formation-RB.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LZ6LjgRcNa61kvqhmM62IUUOuGRUV21z-EYghAnMl-W_obGZPMiyCdF58ZQg6QHBYlqyWmfUR96RaIWHCY9z3x8loG4zr1smvTuKE1Y6PH-4nhRBaIgpY5lHdSzLitB9t41XwgcOVrYT/s320/800px-Football-Formation-RB.svg.png" width="320" /></a><b>Running backs</b>. The termrunning back covers several roles but mainly describes the half back/tail backor rare h-back. Sometimes the fullbackwill be lumped in there if he's utilized as a ball carrier. Running backs line up in several differentpositions in the backfield and don't always run the ball. On passing plays they either help theoffensive line protect the quarterback (this is referred to as max protect) orthey may run a short route and be what's called a check-down or dump-offoption. If the quarterback can't find anopen receiver, he'll throw to the check-down. They vary in size from the smallest players on the field if they're fast(see Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps) to fairly large and strong (see TrentRichardson or LeGarrette Blount).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNs-SZfOHu_iFr_W2Ab0qn37anF9Dn6QsbaYJzrFFK3h6B9ke0sleuzd52b9hwhi-rXNDqEN7coBJmRiTVHW1fvgiqjj7Ge0cBwhez4-_GqJWlSLNDdKPi02xiLZtmncdyN_yJTVBGR-yO/s1600/800px-Football-Formation-FB.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNs-SZfOHu_iFr_W2Ab0qn37anF9Dn6QsbaYJzrFFK3h6B9ke0sleuzd52b9hwhi-rXNDqEN7coBJmRiTVHW1fvgiqjj7Ge0cBwhez4-_GqJWlSLNDdKPi02xiLZtmncdyN_yJTVBGR-yO/s320/800px-Football-Formation-FB.svg.png" width="320" /></a><b>Fullbacks</b>. Thefullback is a dying breed, more so in college football. Some teams literally don't have one, and usea tight end or an undersized back-up tackle when they need a fullback. He's physically something between a tight endand a lineman and are only really used in the I formation and variations of theI. Lined up in front of the half back,he serves as his lead blocker. Thismeans instead of having a predetermined defensive player to block, he will runthe half backs route ahead of him and block whomever gets in his way. He is rarely handed the ball but athleticfull backs may become surprise receivers and ball carriers. Loyal Tampa Bay fans will remember the successwe had running Mike Alstott in short yardage situations (and in regular yardagesituations line up at tail back) and Gator fans should recall the most recentFSU game where Hunter Joyer had some huge plays.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHLVLOAVpaNF5axstPgy81KDdHLE_Et6meekB4jKEbhS9VV6onBcJ0JhqaRM1jIInj8te2wk3XeUMmae-DR1yufw5BG7l_qyfL-ABbkELTEzC90MyzgOOQyVh2jga-8MR5k0_qPiq-huZ/s1600/wr.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHLVLOAVpaNF5axstPgy81KDdHLE_Et6meekB4jKEbhS9VV6onBcJ0JhqaRM1jIInj8te2wk3XeUMmae-DR1yufw5BG7l_qyfL-ABbkELTEzC90MyzgOOQyVh2jga-8MR5k0_qPiq-huZ/s320/wr.png" width="320" /></a><b>Wide receivers</b>. Thewide receivers line up on various positions on either side of the offensiveline. They run a predetermined route andbecome a throwing option. I feel thatpart is pretty self-explanatory. Whatyou need to wide receivers are their positions on the field. There are several. Typically, the most skilled receiver lines upin the X position on the far left side of the field. The second will go to the Z position on theopposite end. These outside receiversare typically tall. Most formations haveroom for at least 3 receivers. The thirdlines up between either the X or the Z and the offensive line. He used to be referred to as the split endbut is now commonly known as the Y receiver or slot receiver, they could be thesame size as X and Ys but small shifty receivers find success here too (see WesWelker). There are formations that willhave up to 5 wide receivers, especially in a spread scheme. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBMUbAh4echf3UvNBhX0AqqEymeJ-Fzw4AcNGKY658hp9XYvVV-DfI9kH0JU1qTe2AmPx4biyD8uftufuPgVD3cGIFmv0UzcObYxSw6vdjK6KhUVAsXfWdQlOLldZruQ9o5YHH-YWMzAP/s1600/800px-Football-Formation-TE.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBMUbAh4echf3UvNBhX0AqqEymeJ-Fzw4AcNGKY658hp9XYvVV-DfI9kH0JU1qTe2AmPx4biyD8uftufuPgVD3cGIFmv0UzcObYxSw6vdjK6KhUVAsXfWdQlOLldZruQ9o5YHH-YWMzAP/s320/800px-Football-Formation-TE.svg.png" width="320" /></a><b>Tight Ends</b>. Tight ends line up tight against the end of theoffensive line, see how that works? They are used as mobile blockers on runplays like fullbacks, but are also used as receivers. Tight ends vary in size. They canapproach the size of a fullback, or as thin as a wide receiver. Typically their routes are short and aredesigned as a match-up problem for defenses. They should be strong enough to earn several yards after catch (YAC), orquick enough to outrun linebackers. Anambiguously sized tight end can be a match-up nightmare for defenses (see AaronHernandez).</div>
Arnaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031800106602904510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564521449939744196.post-18624708707416997552011-11-28T23:58:00.001-05:002012-01-04T02:34:03.721-05:00'11 Florida Gators: Who's to Blame?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGIi8-39csA-tMurEtFYp4rAIUJ3eg7ThEKlYbMqH88AV6q2DsQEOgKoSkkkzd9-gz8yuPNUmrwbT4DX3dc4QjMhnthCoZ_DJFypBquRvGZlZmgTD5I1vKcDiuwZJwXI3CgJQLM6PQHhg/s1600/500px-Florida_Gators_logo.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGIi8-39csA-tMurEtFYp4rAIUJ3eg7ThEKlYbMqH88AV6q2DsQEOgKoSkkkzd9-gz8yuPNUmrwbT4DX3dc4QjMhnthCoZ_DJFypBquRvGZlZmgTD5I1vKcDiuwZJwXI3CgJQLM6PQHhg/s320/500px-Florida_Gators_logo.svg.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">by Arnaldo</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> .500:</span> in baseball if you're a .500 team you're having a good
season, not a great one, but a good
one. In the NFL breaking .500
means you're not a failure, no one is getting fired, but you still have a lot
to work on for next year. Only in top
tier college programs is a .500 record considered failure; miserable, miserable
failure. It didn't stand for the '10
Gators, and they broke .500 by 3 games. Fans
were relieved when Urban Meyer retired, blaming him for somehow "losing
his touch". Funny enough, those
same fans weren't too pleased to hear he'd be "losing his touch" at
Ohio State in 2012. But 6-6 to end the regular season is no laughing matter. Here's a list of who you can point your foam
fingers at in violent anger.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Yourself.</span> I know this whole thing sounds like a trick
but follow me here. First year coaching
staff, transitions in both offensive and defensive schemes, and one of the most
difficult schedules in all of college football.
After losing four in a row, when asked what was wrong with the Gators,
Lee Corso replied, "nothing, they lost to four teams who have a combined
four losses." Do you know how many
other teams had to face the top two teams in the nation back-to-back? One: Tennessee,
and they're next to dead last in the SEC.
If you honestly had high hopes for this season, shame on you. Then again, I will admit I didn't see a .500
regular season coming either.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUW67j2DOkT-pRXHbjBNfhtnttCbuYFm5Cc7lydpqYbtGA-KXiQPtOIyOpLZwDSzeUp0MPcgJETE6Ukui7Bq-jKj9W75rF6D1cvnN74UPDLSaYCab5FPFHijBwzV8aia89AHT-2UcI9U4k/s1600/5649153313_c7eef41cc7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUW67j2DOkT-pRXHbjBNfhtnttCbuYFm5Cc7lydpqYbtGA-KXiQPtOIyOpLZwDSzeUp0MPcgJETE6Ukui7Bq-jKj9W75rF6D1cvnN74UPDLSaYCab5FPFHijBwzV8aia89AHT-2UcI9U4k/s320/5649153313_c7eef41cc7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo: photo-gator (flickr)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Lady Luck. </span> Yeah she can be quite a b... she's not
nice. It's no secret John Brantley
hasn't been the shining star we'd all hope he could be but he's not all to
blame. Sure he threw three interceptions
in one quarter of play against FSU but those are honestly uncharacteristic of
him. Up until then, he had only thrown 3
all year. When he's been healthy and
focused, he has the ability to be a little Tom Brady out there, picking at
secondaries with ease. Refer to his short time in the Bama game where he had a
very successful 11/16 before being sacked twice in a row in Hail Mary situations
sending him straight to the locker room and out of the game. Enter Jeff Driskel the top QB recruit in the
country and like an unlucky charm, everything that can go wrong with him on the
field, goes wrong. I watched the poor 18
year old drop a snap onto his shoe, which bounced through the line of scrimmage
and into the hands of a Bama defender. There's
no skill to be measured here, it's plain bad luck. Injuries didn't stop there, several key
Florida starters were injured in subsequent games leading to 9 Gators
sustaining injuries during the FSU game.
No one can expect to win under these circumstances.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. Not the coaching staff.</span>
Curse your various deities please, but leave Will Muschamp and Charlie
Weis out of your finger pointing. Weis admitted
he had to "teach himself" how to effectively run from the shotgun
again, but game in and game out, I've watched Weis do something I've never seen
an offensive coordinator do. He adapts,
then he adapts again if the circumstances demand him to. First he's brought into a team that was built
for a system he doesn't coach, not a problem.
He refits the players he's dealt into his system, and then reforms the
system around whatever limitations he finds.
Florida has no big back type playmakers that are usually a very key
ingredient in Weis' offense. No worries,
Weis impliments strong Is, weak Is, and full house sets to get the two tiny yet
explosive speedsters into the outside as fast as possible. This works like a charm up until Alabama
whose linebackers are too quick and clog up the sides before Demps or Rainey can
manage and the pass game seems defeated without a healthy Brantley. Weis starts implementing the old spread
option techniques because Trey Burton has had experience running them. And for a time, they work great. When Brantley returns but doesn't have the
mobility to step back into coverage, he introduces the pistol formation to keep
Brantley from moving too much in the pocket, while getting some charge out of
our runningbacks and the merger has some success again until Brantley recovers
going into FSU. Count them up, Weis'
pro, innovative shotgun and I variant running, spread option, pistol, wildcat
(left that out). Charlie Weis has had to
work harder this year than he probably ever did with any other team just so we
can win 6 games. He's by far the most
valuable individual on our team and without him, we'd be looking a lot like Ole
Miss right now. </div>
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When can we expect results?
Give these geniuses 2 years. It
may sound like a long time, but I honestly don't think we'll be having this
conversation on our way to Atlanta in 2013.</div>Arnaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031800106602904510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-564521449939744196.post-80930636618195234482011-11-28T17:01:00.001-05:002012-01-04T02:31:31.981-05:00Welcome!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_oU1agpwytCAut6YmlCcEZ3KMpRsYBtt-9tPEpghGdoAKdujauRyK8KDY4XP5Mu1ZoN9kqwlqA2X6RSLPEyWzVtGgqNB97irYfrR_rVbqWpXgnUNwAY5YRp_GpxMLQardyCMdSOqV2De/s1600/Script_%2560%2560Gators%2560%2560.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_oU1agpwytCAut6YmlCcEZ3KMpRsYBtt-9tPEpghGdoAKdujauRyK8KDY4XP5Mu1ZoN9kqwlqA2X6RSLPEyWzVtGgqNB97irYfrR_rVbqWpXgnUNwAY5YRp_GpxMLQardyCMdSOqV2De/s1600/Script_%2560%2560Gators%2560%2560.png" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Welcome </span>to <i>Bruce and Albert, Xs and Os</i>! As the description states, this blog is about football, mostly the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Florida Gators, but a wide variety of topics are open for discussion. Our chief mission is to educate; to make a blog for those who may not understand all the complexities, rules, plays, and strategies behind America's TRUE pastime. Coaches and broadcasters constantly water down and simplify the game when talking to the public, or use their actual playbook terminology for few to understand. I find it kind of insulting, and have to explain a lot of things to the people around during a football game. There is just no easy way to become a guru, and that's where we'd like to help.<br />
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<i>Bruce and Albert, Xs and Os</i> is made up of Brandon "Dub" Schreihofer and Arnaldo Lopez, two very loyal and ambitious fans, just like you. <br />
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<br />Arnaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031800106602904510noreply@blogger.com0