Filed under: College Football, Football Greats, Football Movies, Football Quotes, General Football, High School Football, NFL Football, Super Bowl, Women's Football
Volume II, No. 4
By Donni Coley
Would you whether have your team gelling on all cylinders, or operating individually as talented parts? Which is more important for a team to be a Super Bowl champion, gelling or athleticism?
I believe a team needs both, chemistry and talent, but a team is in a better position to get the big fish, a Super Bowl title, when they are gelling on all cylinders. A talented team with three or four key parts can win games, but to win a Super Bowl the gel factor creates the turbo drive a team needs to raise the Lombardi trophy at the end of the season. For those teams where gelling was at an octane level, they were able to hoist up a multitude of Lombardi trophies they now proudly showcase in their facilities.
On Sunday night the two most gelling teams in the NFL this season, the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts, will go to battle in South Florida, for the covenant Super Bowl XLIV title.
Yeah, a team can get away with having talent and almost no chemistry, however, when it comes to winning a conference, a division or a national title, the team with the greater gel factor holds the ace of spade. Because all NFL teams have “talent” at the skill positions once they make the playoffs.
My top five gelling teams of 2009 are the New Orleans Saints, the Indianapolis Colts, the Minnesota Vikings, the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Jets.
Who are your top five gelling teams?
Filed under: College Football, Football Greats, Football Movies, Football Quotes, General Football, High School Football, NFL Football, Super Bowl, Women's Football
Volume II, No. 3
Riding Miss Destiny
By Donni Coley
Sunday evening Howie Long, of Fox Sports, picked the New Orleans Saints to win against the Minnesota Vikings, not because the Saints have a better offense or defense, but because he felt it was their time…their fate…THEIR DESTINY. The Big Dog was right.
What an interesting way to make a prediction, from the heart; not from statistics, not from the last three games played, or from the team’s record, but from deep down inside the pump of life.
That’s not how I made my pick; I struggled, agonizing over which team to pick. So I did the most common thing in football, I flipped a coin, heads for Minnesota, tails for New Orleans, it was heads, so I went for the Vikings.
1-New Orleans Saints (13-3) vs. 2-Minnesota Vikings (12-4)
Miss Destiny worked overtime for the Saints, well passed 11’clock Sunday night, their fate sealed by only 3 points, winning the NFC Championship and a trip to South Florida for Super Bowl XLIV.
I can’t go back into the past to examine Howie’s destiny pick because I promised my co-worker Sam Jones, a native of New Orleans; I wouldn’t write anything about the “K” while writing this blog. He told me I should write other things about the Saints without including the “K”, such as, the nucleus between a head coach and quarterback. He’s right, so that will be my next week blog, The Gel Factor-Coach and QB pt2.
Two weeks from now, I don’t know if Miss Destiny continues to ride with the Saints, but, their trip on the one lane highway to Super Bowl, NFL was a long, long, long, stretch, 43 years.
Is lifting the 44th Lombardi Trophy for the first time in franchise history the New Orleans Saints destiny?
Filed under: College Football, Football Greats, Football Movies, Football Quotes, General Football, High School Football, NFL Football, Super Bowl, Women's Football
Volume II, No. 2
By Donni Coley
The last college football game was wrapped up on January 7th with the Bowl Series Championship game. Now that the college season is over, and the National Football League will finish up its season in about two weeks, my question to you is, what level of football you watched more of, college football or the NFL?
If you only watched college football this season and didn’t even grab the remote to watch the NFL, does this make you a true grit football fan?
I recently learned that one of my two friends only watches pro football and don’t even turn on his flat screen on to watch one of the highest level of amateur sports, college football. I was like, Are you crazy man? How can you not watch college football? His reason I’m shame to say was he didn’t know any of the college players by name. What! With all the media coverage giving to top colleges and elite players today, how can you not know them by name? Who doesn’t know Mark Ingram, Tim Tebow or Cody McCoy?
During the season my remote gets its most intense training, from me watching both college and NFL games on the weekend. Since I have more free time on Sundays I watch more pro games than college games, but college football is more exciting to watch. As most of you know my heart is with the Big 12 Conference because I was born and raised in the hearty state of Nebraska. Cornhusker country!
I must confess, I don’t watch any high school football games, at this time my Fridays don’t allow me the leisure.
I tremendously enjoy football at all levels. To me the true essence of football comes from the amateur level, especially the pee-wees, who are getting their first taste of America’s game. The pro players we see on Sundays come out of many of these amazing amateur associations.
I guess I am a 50/50 true grit football fan.
So, are you a true grit football fan?
Filed under: College Football, Football Greats, Football Movies, Football Quotes, General Football, High School Football, NFL Football, Super Bowl, Women's Football
Volume II, No. 1
One Year…
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY WEEKLY BLITZ READERS!
Two thousand and ten ALREADY! Time truly flies when you are having fun.
When I first started writing the Weekly Blitz I had no idea how many blogs I could write or how long I would keep it up, because writing on a weekly basis was and still is a challenging endeavor for me. A hundred times I have started an idea and didn’t see it all the way through. But 2009, I was determine to tackle my imaginary dummy and keep this blog going. So YES! I finished my first volume of the Weekly Blitz. And now my goal for 2010 is to put my blogs into book form. Man, I don’t know how those writers that write a blog daily do it. I take my pen cap off to them with much love.
I took some time off for the holidays; I went home, to Nebraska, to a welcoming snow storm for Christmas. The snow definitely brought back some childhood memories. I love my family but they are going to have to make the trip to Atlanta next Christmas.
Now it’s time for me to get back to the business of writing and producing. My radio show End Zone To End Zone just turned one year old; and I also celebrated another year on planet earth almost two weeks ago. Check out the new and improve End Zone To End Zone website, www.endzonetoendzone.com, it is still a work in progress. If you have any suggestions for the website please don’t hesitate to email me at donni@endzonetoendzone.com.
Enough about me, now back to football, college football ends with the Alabama Crimson Tide (14-0) winning the 2010 BSC National Championship. But, are the Crimson Tide really the true national champions? There is still another undefeated team out there, the Boise State Broncos (14-0). For those that actually read my blogs last year, you know I am one of many cheerleaders for a playoff system. So, the mystery question is, where will Boise State be ranked in the 2010 BCS polls this fall, 2nd or 3rd? We know Alabama has the first spot.
This weekend I saw some great NFL wildcard games, but the Arizona Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers game is one of those games that must be an entry into my life journal. The fourth quarter literally had me on the edge of my bed, luckily for me there was a rail to keep me from falling or I would have been watching the overtime finale from my bedroom floor. Around this time last year I wrote a blog on the Cardinals after they made the Super Bowl, “The Cardinals That Could”. Last year I had the Cardinals to win the Super Bowl. This year I think they still can make it to the big dance and win.
Thanks to all the listeners of End Zone To End Zone and to all the readers of the Weekly Blitz, together let’s make 2010 memorable.
Filed under: College Football, Football Greats, Football Movies, Football Quotes, General Football, High School Football, NFL Football, Super Bowl, Women's Football
Hamlet spoke these infamous words, “To be, or not to be, that is the question.” The question for the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints is, to go, or not to go for 16-0?
With three weeks left in the NFL regular season thousands of football fans, including myself, are wondering if the Saints and Colts are going to go for the perfect season or rest their starters to have them fresh for the playoffs.
Indianapolis has already clinched the AFC South Division title, a first round bye and has homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. New Orleans has clinched the NFC South Division by beating Atlanta last Sunday and a first round bye.
If I was a head coach of a 13-0 team and have the opportunity to go 16-0 and possible 19-0, I think I would accept this enormous challenge and motivate my players to play for a perfect season. They’ve worked too hard through mini camp, training camp and at practice to at least try to go for an undefeated season, in my opinion. Of course, the ultimate goal is winning the Super Bowl, but if it can be done by going undefeated, now that would be the fudge icing on a piece of two layer chocolate cake.
So far, only one team has gone undefeated, that is the 72’ Dolphins, but the 2007 New England Patriots came mighty…mighty…mighty close, going 16-0, losing to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.
What team might possibly get the bragging rights of going19-0? At this moment the question remains unanswered. Two contenders, the Colts and the Saints are heading down that 19-0 yellow brick road, unfortunately, there can only be one undefeated team.
Hey! Wouldn’t it be great…and a NFL first…to have two undefeated teams heading to Miami for Super Bowl XLIV. Now that would be something to write in my life journal.
Filed under: College Football, Football Quotes, General Football, NFL Football, Super Bowl
Superman is ready to turn in his Florida Gators blue, orange and white cape for any one of the team colors of the National Football League. And if it comes down to him playing another position in the NFL Tim Tebow says he’s ready to make the switch, according to an article in the Dec. 9th blog, “ The Huddle”.
Superman “aka” Tebow leaves Flotropolis after three years as the Gators starting QB with one SEC East Division title, one SEC Conference title, and the ultimate, one BCS National Championship title.
Now, Superman is heading to the NFL. How will he fair in the big boys league, where players are bigger, faster, stronger and in some instances meaner? There are questions to whether he will be a NFL quarterback. He stated he wants to be a quarterback and is willing to do whatever it takes to be one in the NFL. I have to admit, he is a good athlete, buuut…I see him getting the ball instead of delivering the ball. I don’t know if he can catch a zipping tight spiral, but he is built like a NFL tight end.
There is a Tim Tebow campaign brewing in Jacksonville, Florida. Governor Charlie Crist is already singing the draft pick song “Draft Tebow” into the ears of the owners of the Jacksonville Jaguars. He believes in 2010 Superman “aka” Tebow would be a simple solution to filling a lot of empty seats that fans didn’t occupy at the Jaguars home games this season.
When the 2010 NFL Draft comes around, I don’t know what draft order or round Superman’s name will appear, however, I would be completely surprise if this super hero doesn’t go in the first round. Whatever team gets him though, will be getting a true-grit football player.
Many headlines flooded the sports sections of newspapers and internet pages on Monday morning.
Titans 21 Cardinals 17 with 2:37 remaining!
Tennessee Titans first team to win 5 straight after starting 0-6!
Vince Young, 99 yards and the win!
Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to watch “The Miracle on LP Field” on football Sunday. But, like most, I did get the opportunity to see the replay of the most amazing 99 yards drive, 99 times the next day on ESPN’s Sports Center.
It has been said that Sunday was Vince Young’s defining moment (387 career high passing yards). He finally showed us football FAN-atics he can be a pocket passer, using his arm, instead of his legs. If the Titans finish 10-6, will this be his defining season?
We sportswriters and analysts love to put athletes on pedestals, pump them up, especially during an unbelievable moment. We definitely live in the NOW. Winning five games straight is wonderful…terrific…great and some would say amazing. Now, I don’t want to take anything away from Vince’s accomplishments so far; I’m happy for the brother, but it’s just five games. His challenge is the next five games and the biggest test is this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.
Filed under: NFL Football
Have you seen the State Farm commercial, it started airing sometime last year during the NBA’s playoffs, of Lebron James being the Cleveland Browns’ first round draft pick of the NFL? Can you see LeBron James on a football field in 2011, wearing the number 23? What position do you see him playing?
In an Associated Press article on foxsports.com, The Browns would give LeBron a shot, if he’s serious. Eric Mangini is you serious? I know the Browns aren’t looking pretty in their brown this season, but Lebron James! I smell desperate in the air. Brady Quinn is looking forward to throwing the ball to him, if he ever decides to make that transition into the NFL.
In the same article, it stated James was an All-State wide receiver in high school. I did not know that! I wanted to learn more; so, I continued my research on the illustrious worldwide web and I came a across another article, in which Jeremy Shockey feels Lebron James wouldn’t make it in the NFL, because he is too slow. I don’t know when Shockey timed James in the 40 yard dash, but he claims James runs a 4.9 40.
Shockey’s and James’ numbers were compared in their last seasons of playing high school football. In 2001, as a junior at St. Vincent-St. Mary in Ohio, Prince James had 1160 receiving yards on 57 receptions with 16 touchdowns. In 1998, Jeremy Shockey had 1107 yards on 50 receptions with 5 touchdowns, as a senior in high school. As, I see it 16 TDs are a lot more than 5 TDs and he was a junior, just imagine if hadn’t turned all his focus to basketball his senior year.
Now let me turn my attention to King James. What! You think you can help the Cleveland Browns? Is it possible that you may have inhaled too much chalk dust?
You think you can compete in two professional sports, play pro football by day and play pro basketball by night. Score two or three touchdowns for the Browns on Sunday afternoon, and then on Monday night, score 50plus points for the Cavaliers…wait…wait a minute…that sounds do-able.
I have to admit it the Browns do need some S.E.R.I.O.U.S help. LeBron if you feel you are the man that can bring some respect to the Cleveland Browns, by all means give it your best shot (no pun intended).
Maybe his comment about helping the Browns is a sign of the future…
Filed under: NFL Football
On Sunday, November 8th, I read an article in The HUDDLE, a blog, which I receive daily in my inbox of my email. One of the articles was about a statement Tony Dungy made on Football Night in America about the possibility of the Buffalo Bills being a good place for Michael Vick next season.
“I think a dark horse is Buffalo.” says Tony Dungy. He feels Buffalo could be a good spot for Michael Vick, because of the conversation between the Bills and the QB. Ummm, Terrell Owens’ contract with Buffalo is only for one year and I seriously doubt he will return to the Bills in 2010 to be a target for Vick. There are a few teams struggling this season (the Browns, the Redskins and the Rams) and need a quarterback, like…yesterday.
Also, in the article, it stated that Michael Vick would be frustrated, ‘an everyday struggle’, if he was stuck behind Donovan McNabb if he is back with the Eagles next season. This is what I have to say about that statement, Vick, where else would you be? If you return to the Eagles, of course you will be behind McNabb.
Michael Vick also commented, “I won’t be a Wildcat guy”. He doesn’t want to be a decoy or back up next year. He was surprised that he wasn’t able to return to the NFL as a starter. What! Man, you haven’t played football for two years and you were surprise you didn’t get a starting job, taking the infamous words of Chad Ochocinco, “Child please”.
This season 2009 with the Eagles, Vick hasn’t been able to show the football world that he still got it. Head Coach Andy Reid has put him in games sparingly. Some football analysts are wondering what Coach Reid has up his sleeve when it comes to Michael Vick’s playing time. Vick has been averaging about three plays in the past six games. Maybe Coach Reid is waiting for the right time.
Could the right time be in two weeks? On Sunday, December 6th the Philadelphia Eagles will be landing in Hotlanta, it won’t be hot; it will be cold, for “The Battle of the Birds” in the Georgia Dome. There will be a lot of love shown for Michael Vick. The no.7, either in black and red or green and white, will take over the City of Atlanta that afternoon.
Filed under: College Football
Why is it hard for us (Americans) to do the right thing? Why must we get the government involved to legislate our conscious? Throughout our illustrious history the government has always been brought in to be the peacemaker or lawmaker to our conscious, (Civil Rights, Women’s Rights and Voting Rights) having to create bills or laws to make us (Americans) DO THE RIGHT THING. What am I getting at this week? Well…
The Playoff PAC, a political action committee, is seeking to push for a true playoff system for college football. Their mission…to mobilize the voices of fans through elected officials in Washington. Being in existence for only three weeks, the Playoff Pac is ruffling the feathers of the Bowl Championship Series.
Each college football season it is becoming more apparent that the bowl system needs a major overhaul. But, the BCS refuses to respond to the wishes of us college football fans or the general public to create a more just playoff system. BUT! Let our politicians, like Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Congress get involved and their so-called mighty muscle flinches, because they don’t like it.
In June I wrote a four part series, “The Road to the BCS”. I pointed out that in 1992 the Bowl Coalition was created to exclude conferences from playing in the top five bowls. It is virtually impossible for a non-BCS conference team to play for a national championship title. Where is the sportsmanship in that?
I expressed my agreement to a playoff system, and that still has not changed. When a team goes undefeated, it should be rewarded with the opportunity to play for the highest award in college football, a national championship.
The debt for a playoff system gets louder each college football season and this year is no exception. The BCS top 10 ranking is looking very interesting; two of the top seven teams are non-BCS conference schools. TCU and Boise State as of this week each team is still undefeated, with a record of 8-0. If either one of these teams remain undefeated, will it get invited to the big game, the BCS Championship? What’s the old saying, “When pigs fly!”
Has it gotten to the point in college football where we (Americans) need our Congressional representatives stepping in, again, to correct a conscious wrong? I feel getting Washington involved shouldn’t be the answer for college football or any sport for that matter.
So, BCS…JUST DO THE RIGHT THING
