Suggestions?

I was thinking, with the New Year ringing in, what suggestions would you have for the site?  I'm always interested in taking my audiences' temperature, so send me an email at footballislifeblog@yahoo.com and let me know what suggestions you have.  Currently I'm still working on the 3-4 defense and the single wing offense.  If you have any information you'd like to pass along, drop me an email.  Anyhow, here's some links to keep you going until my next post.

Here's a good post on the adaptation of the flexbone offense.  I think we are really seeing this offense coming into it's own, and there is no doubt the triple option has made its way back into the limelight of college football.  As always good link from Smart Football to Grantland.

Compete in all Things has a good post on the 3-4 defensive line.  If you're like me and trying to learn more about this defense, then you will want to read this post.  Also if you are like me, finding information on the 3-4 is like finding the Holy Grail!  Good post Mariner!

Coach Hoover really hits home with his latest piece on Tim Tebow.  I don't get all the haters our there, but to be honest, ol' Hoover goes into depth on what he believes is happening to the Denver Tebows...er...Broncos.  I think he's dead on with his opinion here, and I feel the EXACT same way.  Maybe I'm a little cynical, but I do believe in the power of belief, and I do believe that one person can make a difference.  Such is the way with the Broncos.  You cannot deny that the Broncos are not a changed football team.  What makes this even better, is how traditional NFL analysts cannot stand how he's able to be successful.  I also think there needs to be some kudos to head coach John Fox.  He at least had the wherewithal to start Tebow and give him a chance despite all the detractors.  Hey, desperate men sometimes do desperate things.  I hope the ride doesn't end with a few wins either, I'd like to see the Tebows playoff bound!!!  That would be a VERY nice Christmas gift for me.

For those that don't go to Gridnotes to find out your latest update on all your favorite football blogs...GET YOUR FRIGGIN' HEAD CHECKED!!!!!  What a great setup over there.  You can find whatever you need, whenever you want it, and the site is cleanly done, hats off bro, I'll drink a Sam Adams for ya!  Great site, please check it out for all your information needs.  There's great links to articles I frequently check out.  No more searching through this blog or that, all blog posts are referenced and easy to find, again...hats off!

Spread football is at it again with some very useful Air Raid powerpoints.  I'm learning this Air Raid stuff daily, and have "overnight" become a Mike Leach fan (who'd have figured right?).  Take a look at these powerpoints, good stuff and well worth the read!

Well, this is probably the last post before the big day, so to all Happy Holidays, and have a very Happy New Year!!!!




Don't forget the Juice!


P.S. don't forget to follow me on Twitter @theduece02. 

Duece

Tebow and the Broncos: The Power of Belief

I've been pretty quiet about the whole Tim Tebow thing here so far, but what the Denver Broncos are doing is getting too big to ignore.  Despite his limitations as a pro-style passer in the mold of Rogers, Brady, Manning, etc., Tebow has managed to help lead a 1-4 Broncos team that was 4-12 the year before to win six in a row and seven out of eight.  Certainly the Broncos have enjoyed strong play lately from their defense, running game, and special teams, but the change at the QB position has made the difference for this team.  Another factor that makes this streak even more remarkable is that the team has done all this without their best WR, Brandon Lloyd, who was traded to the Rams just before Tebow got his first start.

The addition of Tebow at QB has clearly had a synergistic effect on the Broncos.  Synergy, according to freedictionary.com is "the interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects."  Right now, the Broncos as a team are playing greater than the sum of their individual parts.  The way they are winning games is even more mind-boggling: six of their seven wins involved second-half comebacks, including three overtime wins.  They have trailed in the 4th quarter the past four weeks; yet no matter how badly they play, they manage to find a way to win ballgames.

From this article: "I don't want to give him all the credit," Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey said of Tebow. "But at the same time, he comes through at crunch time every week. Every single week it's like, 'You've got to be kidding me.' It gets to the point where you say, 'What the frickin' is happening here?'"

"Merrill Hoge, one of Tebow's detractors, has finally come around as well (Mike and Mike show podcast) and is now "a huge fan" of the Broncos and Tim Tebow.  I heard him talk this morning about his amazement in what Tebow has accomplished in leading this Broncos team on this winning streak (bearing similarities to the theme of Hoge's new book, Find A Way).  Hoge says, "Now, I'm not saying they're going to win a Super Bowl, but the lessons that they are showing what sports is about; that regardless of your skills set...is how you maximize that skills set."  He genuinely admires what the Broncos are doing from a team standpoint and the value of the sport of football and he made a great point that a team doesn't have to win a championship to be champions.

Peter King quoted K Matt Prater here in his MMQB column after the improbable comeback win vs. the Bears: "You know what's fun about this?'' said Prater. "Everyone keeps saying what Tim can't do. And he goes out every week and we win. We love the guy. He's so real. Now we just feel like anything's possible.''

Mark Kisla from the Denver Post says this here: "There are more talented squads in the NFL. But right here, right now, nobody in the league is playing with more heart than the Broncos."

The answer to Champ Bailey's question about "what is happening here" is that the Broncos as a team have an incredible belief in one another that has this team playing greater than the sum of its individual parts.  The adversity that they have overcome again and again in coming back to win games the way they have only fuels this belief and the "legend of Tim Tebow."  But Tebow quickly gives his team credit here: "I don't think it's Tebow Time.  I just think it's Bronco Time, and the team steps up."  He adds here: "I think because we’ve been through these situations it makes us more comfortable.  But I think overall we count on the guy next to us. We trust the guy next to us and lay it all on the line on every play. When that’s your mentality, and you have that perseverance, and you believe the guy next to you is going to do his job, then until the clock hits zero and maybe even after that, we’re going to keep believing." 

 

Many former players say that the camaraderie among teammates is what they miss the most about the game.  I can only imagine what it feels like to be a part of the Denver locker room and having the confidence that they must have.  It is truly a special thing this team doing right now—unlike anything I have ever seen in sports.  Tim Tebow has given this team faith to not just believe that they can do the impossible, but that they expect to do the impossible.

Revolutionary Safeties and Quarters Coverage- Smart Football/Grantland

Good article on the revolutionizing of the safety play in the NFL.  This has been important to the success of many teams down through the decades as most often safeties are asked to be some of the most versatile players on the field.  

Nothing like versatility!

From playing the run to covering receivers in both zone and man coverages as well as rushing the passer, safeties like Polamalu and Ed Reed have revolutionized the game.  Their ability to do this has been greatly enhanced in the invention of Quarters Coverage.  Read more over at Grantland.

Looks like the Huey board is up and running, thanks Coach Huey for all you do!!!  Thought I was going to have to medicate myself this past weekend...oh wait, I did!

Also, for all you Tebow haters out there, really?  Yes he looked ugly at times, but he's a rookie quaterback in the NFL, don't forget that.  Please also don't forget he's not responsible for pass protection, catching passes that he throws, hanging on to the football he just handed off, or stopping the opponent's run game.  Tebow did just what he was drafted to do, make those around him better.  Isn't this what you want out of the most important postion on the football field?  I think so.  I didn't really think his throwing motion looked that awkward, but hey, being a Gator fan and alumni, I'm biased!

Well, one more game to go for us!  No matter what level I coach, or what the record is, the end of the season still sucks.  I always miss the guys I coach, no matter how they played, or how the season went.  Is that weird?  Hit me up and let me know what you think at footballislifeblog@yahoo.com.  Hope all of ya'lls seasons went well, and those headed to the playoffs, now's not the time to let off the gas, keeping pushing...full steam ahead.  For those with less than stellar season, get ready for the off-season, as the time is NOW!




Keep your foot on the gas baby!


Duece