Less Foot, More Finesse

Fortunately, I read an article about the kickoff moving to the 35 yard line before I said too much about my opinion, because now I agree with the decision. Yes, it may cause an increase in touchbacks, but I think it will also encourage kickers to further hone their game. With less need for pure power and more room for finesse, we may see an increase in the craft of the kicker, and an ability to pinpoint the opponent in a deep corner.

The supreme athletes on special teams may not get up the enormous heads of steam that can lead to crushing injuries, but let them craft their tackles, too. Less helmet, more finesse.

It Doesn't Matter Who's Playing

I don't even know who's playing this weekend. Still -- I'm going to watch the games, regardless. After all, it's the playoffs, but lately I can't even keep track of the Wild Card Teams.


It's not that I've been occupying myself with highly productive/lucrative/charitable tasks. Just the daily stuff, but when I think of getting to watch the games this weekend, I'm looking forward to a vicarious smashing out of everything that has to be put-up-with in real life.

I keep my eyes out there on the action. And keep the momentum drama of the game and its players going in my head, which reminds me of my own rise and fall in life. So much effort -- and reward -- in moving even one yard down the field.

The Romance of Football

Sports offer up glorious metaphors for life.

The week Brett Favre's streak ended, the sky fell down in Minnesota.

My way into the romance of football came when I was 9 or 10 years old, and I stumbled upon a few NFL trading cards on the street. Naturally I picked them up. Back in those days (the 1970s, so far gone!) many players posed for close up pictures, and many of those without helmets.

Topps Trading Card, 1970s ...................... Eve's Trading Card, 1970s

Inspired>>>>>>> !

I would put row after row down on floor or table and study faces, consider personalities, thoughts, emotions of those players. Some looked angry -- game face on -- others innocent and hopeful, or determined. Some stood in the 3 point stance and smiled good-naturedly, and one looked up with pleading eyes as if he needed protection.

In my mind, I created alliances between the players on the cards whether they were on the same teams or not. And on Sundays I'd watch as many as I could.

This was my original Fantasy Football.

Why Football?

What You Already Know

The men are huge, and then they build themselves up with pads and helments, and they grunt and sweat and then plow into each other again & again. Frankly, you like men just fine, but in this guise you have historically chosen to leave them to their caveman antics. Sunday afternoons are better spent enjoying just about any other pursuit.

And yet seeping through the culture, all the way through to your father/husband/brother... there is football.

It's not that you don't enjoy sport. You may be an athlete in your own right, physically fit from hiking to basketball to dance. But really, what could you ever get out of a sport like football, a sport you could never actually play? The ultimate boys club. "Let them have it," you say!

But wait... men are only seeing half the picture. It's women who get the 360 degree view.

up next... The Romance of Football

On the field, forgiveness

Michael Vick has taken his second chance seriously. I'm not surprised by how much of me is ready to forgive and cheer and enjoy the quarterback's return. But I know he must look morally ugly to some people.

Part of me has already forgiven him, and part of me hopes he feels awful about what he did for the rest of his life. If he does, then he really has been rehabilitated.

The Vikings Cardinals game was not on my local TV this past Sunday. But really, I made plans to go out and volunteer making care packages for the homeless BEFORE I knew that.

So Iwould have missed it, anyway. Ho hum, just another another Brett Favre return from a chin-splitting knockout to pass for ultimate yards and win in OT.

Are You Game for Two More?

It's not that I don't think four pre-season games is too many, I do. But adding another two regular season games to the NFL season will really change the sport.

Sure, they're thinking it will rake in two more weeks of fan purchasing in oh so many forms, but it's not just the player rosters that will have to increase to support the increased losses in battle, it's all the long term injury this will cause. Just how much of the future are they willing to sign away for the present?

Say goodbye the smattering of first string players who are able to last to the final game of the season. The playoffs may become an entirely different beast, with 3rd string quarterbacks throwing to the tight end who's also filling in for the linebacker on defense, etc. And of course and lots of mid-season trading and improvising.

The NY Times rolled out some blunt information about concussions http://www.nytimes.com/info/concussions-in-football/ . Statistics show the incidence of Alzheimers in ex-NFL players is at "a rate of 19 times" the national norm for men aged 30-49.