NFL ABCs

With the 2009 National Football League regular season beginning tonight (Tennessee Titans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers NBC 8 ET) and going through this weekend into Monday night, it made me think of all the things that I have missed during each and every off season without football. Wow, it has been a long 7 months. I went over to Stacey’s after work last night and I got the idea to make a list of all the things that I miss the most. So, below is a list of the things that I always miss the most and also look forward to every year heading into the NFL season. I have to give Stacey some credit as she did help out in one way or another. This was fun, but also challenging as well. Call it the NFL ABC’s.

1. America’s Game

American football really is our game. Football is played in other countries around the world with the most notably foreign league in Canada (CFL), but with little or no widespread interest. The experiment of NFL Europe has also failed in recent years. So, there is no question that football is the most popular sport in our country. Beginning in the late 19^th century, Walter Camp known as the “Father of American Football” helped introduce the game we know today. First football game ever played was Rutgers vs. Princeton in 1869.

2. Bad Weather Games

One of the best aspects of football that I enjoy are the “elements” Unlike other sports, the game of football can be played in all weather conditions, good or bad. Some of the most memorable games in NFL history have been played in terrible conditions. Not only should the players be given credit but the fans attending the game as well. Below is a list of some of the most memorable bad weather games in NFL history:

“Ice Bowl”- 1967 NFL Championship game, Packers vs. Cowboys

“Fog Bowl”- 1988 NFC Championship game, Bears vs. Eagles

“Freezer Bowl”- 1981 AFC Championship game, Bengals vs. Chargers

“Tuck Rule”- 2001 Division Playoff game, Patriots vs. Raiders

3. Cheerleaders

To be honest with you, I do not care much for cheerleaders. However, they are a part of the game. Worst case scenario they are at least good to look at or page through the yearly calendar.

4. Defense

I love the defensive side of the ball as I played on that side as well. As they say “Defense wins championships.” Below is a list of some of the most memorable Defensive units in NFL history:

“Steel Curtain”- 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers

“Monsters of the Midway”- 1985 Chicago Bears

“Purple People Eaters”- 1971 Minnesota Vikings

2000 Baltimore Ravens

1962 Green Bay Packers

5. Endzone Dances/Celebrations

Everyone loves to see what happens after a player scores a TD. Even though the NFL has cracked down on excessive celebrations in recent years, they are still fun to watch. Below are a few that come to my mind:

“Lambeau Leap”

“Mile High Salute”

“Dirty Bird”

“Ickey Shuffle”

“Touchdown Spike”

6. Fans

Fans are crazy about their respective NFL team. No other professional sports league in the world draws more fans. Around the league every week in 16 NFL host cities, fans flock to the stadium to cheer on their team. I myself, as most people know am a diehard Packer Backer.

7. Gameday Food

Beer, brats, cheese, hamburgers, chicken wings, and chips. Need I say more?

8. Halftime Shows

While the game is the most important thing, I also look forward to halftime shows as well. Most notably being the Superbowl. I wonder who will play at Superbowl XLV?

9. Instant Replay

I know most of us hate the stoppage of the game, but ever since the NFL began its current instant replay system in 1999, no individual can argue that it has not made the game better. The game is played at such a high speed even Ed Hochuli can make a mistake.

10. John Madden

I really am going to miss John Madden. He has had such an impact on the game on both as a coach and broadcaster. Heck, the most successful NFL football video game even bears his name. For the first time in nearly three decades John Madden will not be in the booth calling NFL games for television broadcasts. He did it all on CBS, FOX, ABC’s Monday Night Football, and NBC’s Sunday Night Football.

11. Kickers

Kickers are probably the most isolated individuals in locker rooms. However, everyone loves the kicker when he hits the game winning kick as time expires. When he misses?

12. Longshots

The great thing about the NFL is that the schedule is set up for all teams to go 8-8. I mean who saw the Arizona Cardinals who had a 9-7 record in the Superbowl. Below are some of the biggest longshots with the smallest odds in Las Vegas to win the Superbowl.

Detroit Lions 100/1

Cleveland Browns 100/1

Houston Texans 100/1

Oakland Raiders 70/1

13. Monday Night Football

NFL Football Sunday is a great thing. Monday Night Football is even better. After the weekend is over and are forced to go back to reality there is still hope as Monday Night Football is on primetime as you come home from a hard days work. This season will be no different.

14. Nappy Hair

Is it just me or is the NFL getting uglier as a whole? Troy Palamalu and Domata Peko are among the worst. Ha

15. Offense

The offensive side of the ball is the most entertaining. Now with the emergence of the spread offense and “Wildcat” formation teams are capable of putting up some serious numbers. Below is a list of some of the most memorable offensive units in NFL history:

“Greatest Show on Turf”- 2000 St. Louis Rams

1998 Minnesota Vikings

2007 New England Patriots

1994 San Francisco 49ers

16. Pep Talks

For all of us who have suited up and put on the pads we all know some of the most valuable life lessons can be learned through playing this great game. Most of those lessons learned and messages have been conveyed though great speeches. Nothing can be more motivating than a pregame or postgame speech.

17. Quarterbacks

The NFL is a quarterback driven league. It is the most important position on the field. Manning, Brees, Rivers, Rodgers, Warner, McNabb, Palmer. Oh, and another unnamed quarterback is back for his 19^th NFL season.

18. Rivalries

The NFL has some great storied and traditional rivalries. Bears/Packers, Steelers/Ravens, Broncos/Chiefs, Cowboys/Redskins.

19. Superbowl

Ever since the inaugural Superbowl back in 1967 as Lombardi’s Green Bay Packer’s beat the Kansas City Chiefs, the game has gotten bigger and bigger. Might as well be made a national holiday. I would not mind work off the next day. The Superbowl which culminates the end of the NFL season is a great celebration to America’s game. I can not think of a bigger game in the sports world.

20. Thanksgiving Day Classic

Football and Thanksgiving Day go hand-in-hand. The game has been played ever since the leagues founding in 1920. Nothing is more satisfying then eating turkey and watching the game with your family. I look forward again this year as I do every year going back home to Madison, WI to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with the Manvilles. Below is a list of the 2009 NFL Thanksgiving Day Classic schedule. For the record Stacey thought of “Tight pants” for “T.”

Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions

Oakland Raider vs. Dallas Cowboys

New York Giants vs. Denver Broncos

21. Uniforms

Uniforms have a lot to do with a team’s identity. Some NFL teams have great uniforms and team colors and other have bad uniforms and team colors. It just depends on what you like personally. Me, I like the Detroit Lions uniforms the best. I just think the Blue on Silver with the black outline looks really sharp. The alternate black uniforms are the best. This year will be a crazy year for uniforms. As this year marks the 50^th Anniversary of the AFL, the NFL will celebrate the occasion by having former charter members of the AFL suit up in their classic AFL uniforms. Participating teams include: Bills, Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs, Jets, Patriots, Raiders, and Titans.

22. Violent Acts

Football is an aggressive, violent, and punishing game. Do you know of any other game on Earth where two opposing teams line up across from each other and physically beat each other where people show up and cheer them on?

23. Wild Card Weekend

This marks the beginning of the NFL playoffs. The NFL playoffs are the greatest of all professional sports. No best of five or seven game series as in basketball, hockey, and baseball. Its sudden death, single elimination, one and done.

24. Xtra Time

I love overtime football. There were 14 OT games last year in the regular season. However, I believe the NFL needs to change their OT policy. The NFL needs to do the same system as they do in the collegiate game, so that each team has at least one fair chance. NFL offenses are just too good. Win the coin toss and your one big play away from FG range and winning the game.

25. Any ideas?

26. Any ideas?

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