Football: Love of game vs being a fan

[ewagner]

Maybe I'm wierd, but I love the game of football so much that it surpasses my ability to be a rabid fan of one team or antoher. The game itself is a masterpiece of strategy, teamwork, skill and courage and to watch it played close to perfection is a treat.

For example, in the Rose Bowl, Michigan was a sentimental favorite because a kid who graduated with my son was playing for Michigan. But from the onset, it was obvious that USC had planned the game well and found ways to take away Michigan's advantage as well as ways to maximize their strength. It was masterful. To some extent, LSU did the same thing to Oklahoma. In each case, strategy followed with near-perfect execution lead both teams to victory.

Although I was raised in Florida, I was a big fan of Vince Lombardi. Especially after I heard him tell his team, "We're going to chase the hell out of perfection and in the process we're going to catch up with excellence." To me, that put the game in a nutshell.

My 105 pound frame wasn't cut out for high-school football but being a student of the game, I was able to coach kids later on in life. I tried to teach them to love the game and to experience the joy of executing the perfect play as well as the fruits of victory that came from playing the game well.

Okay. So the Packers lost. They lost because they didn't play to perfection on sooooo many levels. Now, in the playoffs and the Superbowl, I'll look for the team which plays the game the way it should be played and enjoy every moment of it.

Just my two-cents worth.

[beawr]

1. You are NOT weird

n/t

[wysimdnwyg]

2. Love of the game is the best reason to watch

Sure, I like to watch hockey, but I don't love the game. I just haven't absorbed enough of the intricacies, I guess.

When it comes to football or baseball, though, I watch because of the intricacies. Noting that a fielder moves one way or the other for a particular batter so as to take away a hitting lane, or watching the QB call an audible to take advantage of the cover scheme the defense has set up. It's all about trying to not only out play your opponent, but to out SMART them, as well.

Lombardi's 1960 team was WAY over matched on talent, but he was still able to take them to the NFL Championship game. He did it again in '61 and '62, winning it both times, with mostly the same group. Guys like Nitschke, Hornung and Gregg were good enough to make it to the Hall of Fame without a coach like Lombardi. Bart Starr and Willie Wood would have rarely even played under someone else. Lombardi knew that he could make these guys that much better through their intelligence. THAT is what makes the game great.

[ewagner]

3. Agree

that has a LOT to do with the game!

[Whitacre D_WI]

5. Starr would have played anywhere.

7.8 yard/attempt in th '50s and '60s? Over NINE yards per attempt in two seasons? The man was insanely good.


I love Brett Favre; but when people tell me he's the greatest quarterback of all time, I respond that he's not evet the greatest Packers quarterback ever!

[wysimdnwyg]

13. Starr MIGHT have played elsewhere, but...

He never would have had the same numbers.

First, Lombardi didn't even play Starr in '59, and used him in a platoon in '60. It wasn't until '61 that Starr showed Lombardi he had the intelligence required to run that offense.

Second, Starr wasn't the greatest athlete in the world. He was incredibly intelligent and was just as driven as Lombardi to win. Lombardi's offense was perfect for Starr, and they were a great team.

So Starr might have played in other cities, but he very likely would not have been nearly as successful. Thus, I don't think he would have made the Hall without Lombardi.


As for Favre, I have a difficult time calling him the best of all time. ONE of the best? Absolutely. Better than Starr? Undoubtedly. But THE best? Well, that's a whole other discussion. And one I don't think we'll be able to answer until several years after Favre's retirement, if ever.

[beyurslf]

4. Not weird at all.

I am the same way. I like to see the Chiefs do well but never have high expectations. I said all season the Chiefs have an amazing ability to lose the first game of the playoffs no matter how well they played all season. I was even willing to give them the first game this year since it was at home. I think their defense must have thought they had a Monday night game or something.

All in all, though, I just like to watch a good game.

Basketball, on the other hand, it can get mean when KU plays--especially against another Big 12 team.

[GumboYaYa]

6. I will watch any football game that is on, regardless

of the teams and league involved. As an example, I watched the Pop Warner league championships the other day.

I love the game. I love watching the defensive and offensive schemes no matter who is on the field.

I have my favorites (LSU for college - what a great year for us, and the Saints for Pros - will we ever have a great year), but I enjoy any game.

I had the good fortune of playing high school football. I would do just about anything to get to strap the pads on one more time and play competitive football.

[ewagner]

7. I tried out in High School

in Spring tryouts...I was soooo small but pretty fast. During spring tryouts the coaches used me like they use the electric rabbit on a greyhound track. LOL........

Looking back, it was great fun!

[Beetwasher]

8. Talk About Perfect Football: How about Manning and the Colts?

Holy cow, I've never seen an offense perform like the way they did against KC. That was offensive perfection if I've ever seen it, and I'm no Colts fan. No punts in the last TWO games!!! Incredible...

If any D can stop them it will be the Pats though, so they will be put to the test on Sunday...

[ewagner]

9. Sorry for the oversight

It was a truly great game. Sorry I forgot to mention it.

[GumboYaYa]

11. It's funny how perspectives differ.

I'm a big fan of defense, so I saw the Colts/Chiefs game as an example of the worst defense I have ever seen in the playoffs. It's all a matter of perspective.

Having said that, Manning is on a tear the past two games. I'm pulling for him to do well in the championship game. I lived next door to Peyton and the rest of the Mannings when Peyton was in high school; I played ball with him, Cooper, and Eli all the time after school. Peyton is a helluva nice guy.

[Beetwasher]

12. That's Why Sunday Will be THE Big Test for Them

Bellichick's D is sure to be a challenge...

While KC's D is nothing special, the Colt's made NO mistakes. Practically every play worked as it was supposed to, and I don't think I've ever seen a quarterback in such total control...But yeah, I guess it is all about perspective...

[fishnfla]

10. The Packers are in my blood so

I'll watch any game they play. But for pure love of the game, give me college football, any teams, any game. The enthusiasm of the younger players is exciting to me.
If I had my druthers though, I would listen to the games on the radio rather than watch on TV. You can do chores, yardwork or wait for the fish to bite, while you are listening.

[Faygo Kid]

14. My love of the game? Lions fan for 42 years. 'Nuff said.

Since I was 11; went to the great '62 Thanksgiving Day game where Bart Starr was sacked 11 (?) times and the Lions hung the only loss on Green Bay that year (sorry 'bout that). One playoff win for the Lions since 1957, yet I remain hooked. It's mystical, I guess.