Have you looked at the standings in the National Football League lately?
If so, you're seeing what I'm seeing: A LOT of parity (or incompetence) as only 15 of the league's 32 teams hve a record of better than .500.
Commissioner Bert Bell (1946-1959) was a HUGE friend to the Green Bay Packers. Fond of saying "on any given Sunday, any team can beat any other team", Bell was a champion for the small town Packers and helped keep the Green Bay franchise in the NFL.
Commissioner Pete Rozelle (1960-1989) oversaw the growth of television's impact on the league (financial as well as fan popularity) along with the merger with the upstart American Football League. Rozelle was big on parity in the NFL, balance between the big city teams and the smaller markets.
Looks like both Bell and Rozelle would be pleased with this year's NFL. Eight weeks into the season and only one unbeaten team (Philadelphia at 6-0). The New York Giants are 6-1 while Buffalo and the hated Minnesota Vikings are 5-1. Close behind are Dallas, the New York Jets and Kansas City at 5-2.
At the bottom are the 1-5 Detroit Lions while Houston is 1-3-1 and Pittsburgh, Cleveland and New Orleans are at 2-5.
Suprising 3-4 clubs are Green Bay, Tampa Bay, Arizona, San Francisco and Chicago. With the exception of DA Bears, the other four were supposed to be Super Bowl worthy clubs.
Fearless Field Leader of the Packers, #12, says it's time to cut down on the mental mistakes, bench/limit playing time for those making said mistakes, etc. Perhaps his own body language could help a bit...
Remember the Lombardi teams ran a limited playbook, but ran plays to perfection. NFL teams have gotten a lot more sophisticated in their offense approach, but mental mistakes have always been a part of the game. Guys miss a check-down, guys miss an assignment. In the 1970s and '80s, as part of the newpaper's Packer beat, I was well aware of a certain wide receiver who seldom ran the called route.
How he stayed employed, I could never understand. (Note, it wasn't one of the stars.)
Hey Jim, I couldn't agree more about AR's body language. I am no Tom Brady fan (though I admire him), but until recently, you could see him walking around exhorting his players. Same went for Kurt Warner.
ReplyDeleteI've thought that if AR did some of that, the Packers may have won another Super Bowl, more close games, etc.
BTW, do you know where Coach Bob Collins is now? I hear he was in Phoenix- I am going there for Christmas.