Sports Shorts Saturday – MLB, NFL and The Ocho

Actually, it is Sunday morning. Set my alarm to watch the Women’s World Cup and almost halftime in the match between U.S. and Sweden. U.S. looks much better, and I will root for the U.S., or what is also typically American, the underdog in the tournament. Hoping the U.S. advance, and play like the underdog for the rest of the tournament.

I am no Colin Cowherd. I can’t match his smarmy nature and his outlandish predictions. I am also no Skip Bayless. I can’t match his swanky neck jewelry and his outlandish predictions. I am a humble coach and a true sports fan.

MLB

The Atlanta Braves and Tampa Devil Rays are really good; some other teams are playing. Not going to lie. I have not watched a single game of baseball in a long time. Now, just like everyone, I enjoy being at the ballpark as it provides three hours of people watching, conversation and hot dogs, but I feel like our national pastime has passed its prime. It is too slow, even with the pitch clock, and the season is far too long. Couple that with the watered down pitching and the fact that even the best players are only successful 1/3 of the time, and you have a recipe for a sport that does not suit the current distracted and impatient spectator.

NFL

I have not played baseball since I was 13 years old. Ah, the days, but I have played and/or coached football for most of my life. Here’s my quick take.

Running Backs

One of the major stories during the preseason was the devaluing of the running back position. It is just sad that the days of the stalwart running back are gone, and the position has become an afterthought and something done by committee. The days of the workhorse running back are gone (nod to King Henry) as this is a pass first spread the field game. More entertaining, but I long for the days of Tony Dorsett, Walter Payton and Barry Sanders.

G.O.A.T

Add Jim Brown to the above list, and you have at least three of the top 10 payers who ever played the game. I realize that the G.O.A.T is Tom Brady, mostly because of his postseason success and the position he plays. The quarterback is the most important and recognized position in all of sports (I would argue the goaltender in hockey especially the playoffs), and Touchdown Tommy is a cultural icon. He is a Cinderella long shot who parlayed his marginal physical abilities in to tremendous achievement. He also eats avocado. Lots of avocado.

Many say Peyton Manning is on par. Many would choose Joe Montana to start a must win game. Many taut Dan Marino’s cannon arm as the best in history. And what about Patrick Mahomes. Here’s the thing. Everyone mentioned here are phenomenal players, but the best player that ever laced up cleats was Lawrence Taylor. He changed the way coaches looked at defense, and how the game of football was played. He was also an unblockable menace. Rice, Reggie White, and my favorite player Steve Largent are on the short list, but give me Sharky Any Given Sunday. Give me L.T.

Hall of Fame

Just a quick word about the HOF inductee class and the accompanying game. I was quite young when some of these players were in their prime. I can recall collecting the football cards of Joe Klecko and Ken Riley. I am uncertain if they had Hall of Fame numbers or had a huge impact on the game. For my money, there are two names that jump of the list in this current class. Joe Thomas and Darrell Revis.

Open for debate.

The Hall of Fame game and all of preseason football is unwatchable. The analogy is easy. Have you ever seen a comedian who is still working out the bugs and honing new material. Sometimes acceptable, but mostly cringeworthy. All about revenue and sating the palate of the avid fan, but scrimmages are not entertaining nor indicative of regular season success. I’ll admit preseason football is better than the slate of games shown on Amazon last year.

Final Comment

The NFL is rigged.

The Ocho

If you are familiar with the film Dodge Ball, starring Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller, then you know about ESPN 8, the Ocho. It was a parodied poke at the proliferation of the sports network and the constant need to create content for ubiquitous, unrelenting sports coverage. The network, itself has leveraged this parody to increase brand awareness, but in the past few weeks, I have seen Corn Hole, Darts, and Pickle Ball broadcast. I know the summer is slow for major sport (see comment on baseball), but I think the Ocho has gone from reel to reality

I would like to close with a suggestion about coaching. I call this segment Coaching 101 1/2. I have plenty of drills for all of the sports I have coached, so if you have specific questions, please just let me know; however, I would like to focus on coaching young athletes from my point of view.

COACHING 101 (and a 1/2)

Start Them Late

Football is a collision sport and the threat of concussion is real. Numbers are down in participation. Some of this attrition is due to myriad other options and or the trend of playing the same sport year-round (specialization), but I can attribute some of it to fear.

In order to ally the fear of the parents and players themselves, and limit the amount of collisions and contact, I have two simple solutions.

1. Do not play tackle football or have prospective players pad up until at least middle school, and even then, make sure you are matching players of like skill and ability. Flag is enough to learn the game and strategy. Potential linemen can also learn technique and scheme without pads and full contact. If you are going to provide equipment to younger players, let them get used to it gradually. At the high school level, we start in helmets, then go uppers, then full pads. Younger players may find this useful in adjusting.

2. If you have younger players playing tackle football, please teach proper techniques to enhance confidence and maximize safety. Tackling drills should be conducted in as condensed a space as possible. You can still teach approach, fit and finish while improving muscle memory as well as limiting injury.

Update

U.S. and Sweden Tied 0-0 in second half stoppage time.

Love and laughter,

Coach P.