Loads of interesting stuff! Seminars, etc.
One of the most interesting obsrvations was by a USA Today reporter, but repeated by many other coaches in speeches and seminars after that:
The University of Michigan Wolverines began the 2007 season by losing to the reigning champion in FCS (formerly 1-AA) in a shocking, humiliating upset loss to Appalachian State; and concluded the season with a win over reigning Bowl Subdivision (formerly 1-A) champion Florida on New Year's day....
Football...what a great game!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
'tis the season
...in the States with family. LOTS of college bowl games on TV. Some people think it's too much, but I LOVE it. Much better than playoffs (more on this later).
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Happy New Year!
Next week: American Football Coaches Convention (Anaheim, CA).
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Happy New Year!
Next week: American Football Coaches Convention (Anaheim, CA).
Thursday, December 6, 2007
December
Another first weekend in December with beautiful weather (why does the season for most teams end before the best football weather?).
Two exciting semi-final games: on Saturday, Fujitsu was in control most of the way versus On-Sky 31-21. On Sunday, a come from behind victory for Nichidai over Hosei that didn't end until a fourth down pass fell incomplete in the end zone inside the last minute, 38-34.
More later
Two exciting semi-final games: on Saturday, Fujitsu was in control most of the way versus On-Sky 31-21. On Sunday, a come from behind victory for Nichidai over Hosei that didn't end until a fourth down pass fell incomplete in the end zone inside the last minute, 38-34.
More later
Monday, November 5, 2007
"It doesn't mean anything"
Very true words were spoken by all-pro QB Tom Brady on Sunday, after his New England Patriots beat the NFL (World) Champion Indianapolis Colts in a big clash of the unbeatens:
"We're 9-0 and it really doesn't matter," Brady said. "None of this matters. What matters is January - 9-0, hey, I'm as happy as anybody. But it doesn't mean anything. "
This points out a great truth- in most sports today- especially professional sports, the long regular season seems like little more than a warm-up for the playoff season. I find it nearly impossible to get excited about pro sports like basketball or hockey, which have already been underway for a month now, and will continue with playoffs until long after I and most people have ceased caring, sometime close to the beginning of next summer. Any regular season win or a loss now hardly matters in the long run.
By comparison, football games, especially those played at so-called 'lower levels' really mean something- they irrevecobaly impact standings, championship chances, and bragging rights. Teams- even great rivals- play each other but once a year. The regular season really means something to everyone involved.
"We're 9-0 and it really doesn't matter," Brady said. "None of this matters. What matters is January - 9-0, hey, I'm as happy as anybody. But it doesn't mean anything. "
This points out a great truth- in most sports today- especially professional sports, the long regular season seems like little more than a warm-up for the playoff season. I find it nearly impossible to get excited about pro sports like basketball or hockey, which have already been underway for a month now, and will continue with playoffs until long after I and most people have ceased caring, sometime close to the beginning of next summer. Any regular season win or a loss now hardly matters in the long run.
By comparison, football games, especially those played at so-called 'lower levels' really mean something- they irrevecobaly impact standings, championship chances, and bragging rights. Teams- even great rivals- play each other but once a year. The regular season really means something to everyone involved.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Let's Not be too Hasty
Another somewhat bizarre ending to a game I attended this weekend. On a truly gorgeous autumn afternoon, in an X-2 League Central Division battle at Kawasaki Stadium, the Unisys Bulls led Bullseyes Tokyo 21-13 in the final minute of the game. The Bulleyes had already used all of their timeouts earlier to stop the clock. So when the Unisys came up short on 3rd down, I was quite surprised to see the Bulls call their second timeout, stopping the clock with exactly 25 seconds remaining- before the officials had even given the ready-for-play signal and thus started the play clock (which gives the offense 25 seconds to snap the ball). So that meant that rather than simply letting time expire, they would be forced to punt, thus giving the Bullseyes at least a chance to get the ball back and try to score. Then the Bulls called another timeout- their last- instead of keeping it for any emergencies on defense.
The Bulls finally punted the ball a short distance, downing it immediately, rather than letting it roll, so only a few seconds ticked off the clock. As it turned out, the Bullseyes' QB (for lack of a better word, as the Bullseyes have no actual QBs on their roster this year) was sacked on first down. They were unable to get another play off, so the game ended 21-13.
The Bulls had scored on their opening drive of the game in part due to several missed tackles, but the Bullseyes defense held them scoreless the rest of the afternoon. The Bullseyes offense- and running a version of the Nevada-style shotgun- perhaps better described as single wing offense, with a back in the trigger position- were able to move the ball on the ground despite the 4-4 front the Bulls threw at them, managing to score a touchdown in each half. But breakdowns in the kicking game- misplaying an onside kick, protections, bad snaps, and blocked kicks- ultimately resulted in two second half returns for touchdowns for Unisys to get the win.
Both teams are now 3-1 on the season, with their final game coming in mid-November.
The Bulls finally punted the ball a short distance, downing it immediately, rather than letting it roll, so only a few seconds ticked off the clock. As it turned out, the Bullseyes' QB (for lack of a better word, as the Bullseyes have no actual QBs on their roster this year) was sacked on first down. They were unable to get another play off, so the game ended 21-13.
The Bulls had scored on their opening drive of the game in part due to several missed tackles, but the Bullseyes defense held them scoreless the rest of the afternoon. The Bullseyes offense- and running a version of the Nevada-style shotgun- perhaps better described as single wing offense, with a back in the trigger position- were able to move the ball on the ground despite the 4-4 front the Bulls threw at them, managing to score a touchdown in each half. But breakdowns in the kicking game- misplaying an onside kick, protections, bad snaps, and blocked kicks- ultimately resulted in two second half returns for touchdowns for Unisys to get the win.
Both teams are now 3-1 on the season, with their final game coming in mid-November.
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