Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Pistol Offense: Is It The Best?

Each year the Pistol Offense gains more converts but is it the best offense? Last season the Nevada Wolf Pack, whose coach Chris Ault invented the Pistol produced the first back field to have 3 one thousand yard rushers in one season. Colin Kaepernick the quarter back and running backs Luke Lippincott and Vai Taua all produced more rushing yards than thought possible.

November 26,2010 in Mackay Stadium, home to the Nevada Wolf Pack the nation got an up close and personal look at how the Pistol Offense operates. They were playing host to #4 in the BCS Polls, the Boise State Broncos. One of the most balanced teams in the country that has one of the stingiest defenses in the nation. Giving up just over 215 yards per game and holding teams like Virginia Tech and running backs like Quizz Rogers to less than normal performances, the Pack was about to face the toughest defense they had faced all season.

The Pistol is designed to create a downhill running game and with a quarterback that can dun and pass, it becomes a bigger threat to the defense.

What the viewing audience saw was a second half where the Nevada running game shredded the Boise defense at will, gashing the Broncos for good gains on every run.

The Pack was able to gain 269 yards rushing, more yards than the average combined passing and rushing attacks of the previous ten teams Boise played this year. Earning 239 yards in the second half as the Nevada line wore down the defensive line,doing exactly what the Pistol is designed to do.

The Boise State defensive strategy was to place spies on the Nevada Quarterback Kaepernick and prevent him from getting to the edge and turning up field. During the first half they were successful however using effective blocking schemes the Pack offense was able to open large holes in the line. The running backs were not getting first contact till at least two to three yards past the line of scrimmage. Their running attack averaged over four yards per carry. In the fourth quarter it was very evident that the Bronco Defense was gassed and the Nevada running game operated at will.

This offense is very lethal to any defense when it is operated by a running passing quarterback. It makes the defense put a spy on the QB taking away a would be tackler from going after the running back. Nevada has Colin Kaepernick, the perfect quarterback for this offense, he can pass and run. These last two seasons he has rushed for over 1,000 yards.

The Pistol Offense is here to stay, it takes good offensive linemen blocking schemes and a quarterback who can run and pass to make it work, when it does, it is very effective.
Use the following links to see the Nevada Pistol Offense DVDs and linemen blocking for the Pistol.
Pistol
Offense DVDs

Offensive Linemen in the Pistol Offense

TCU Horned Frogs: Did They Kill The WAC Conference?

TCU has finally made the long anticipated move and will join the Big East in 2012. It puts them in a automatic qualifying conference for BCS Bowl games and gives them more money. The move will help open new television markets while escaping the grim MWC television deal. This will only add to their recruiting, culling athletes from the talent rich east coast.

Will this move be the final nail in the WAC Conference coffin? I tend to think it will. The minimum amount of teams a conference must have for division 1 football is six. Right now that is where the WAC is sitting after the defections of Boise State, Fresno State and Nevada. All three teams are moving to the Mountain West Conference. Boise next season and Nevada and Fresno in the 2012 season.

A couple of weeks ago Hawaii announced they had a good faith verbal agreement to be invited to the MWC. The move by TCU all but assures that the invite to Hawaii is soon to be forth coming and the Warriors will accept. This will bring the WAC football teams down to five.

The problems this creates is many. First they have lost their premier teams to another conference. The teams that ESPN showed most on television. The loss of the most marketable teams could cause ESPN to renegotiate the current contract. The worse case scenario is to drop the WAC from the 2012 line up even if the conference is alive.

Adding insult to injury, the WAC is having trouble finding replacement schools for the current teams that have departed. so far Montana, a Big Sky power house and North Texas have declined WAC invites. Should Hawaii leave, the big 4 will have left and leave slim pickings in the conference, making it harder to attract teams.

Sadly they wont be able to attract teams that can come in and electrify audiences with offense or defense like Boise, Fresno, Hawaii or Nevada have.

The MWC will be the new WAC and I fear the days of the WAC are numbered.
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Sunday, November 28, 2010

Big Ten Refs Cool Your Jets

Nike and Ohio State teamed up for a special "Pro Combat" look in their uniforms to commemorate the 1942 National Champion Buckeye Team. These new unis had everything going for them. Including the special "Vapor Jet" gloves featuring "premium Magnigrip CL technology" and custom art specifically designed to display a block 'O' when the palms are brought together. The new uniforms were worn for that annual Michigan - Ohio State game.

It seems Nike and Ohio State did everything right but forgot to check them out with the Big Ten Officiating Office. As the game progressed it became apparent the game officials were not impressed with all the uniforms could do.

The problems start in the second quarter of the game when receiver DeVier Posey hauls in a touchdown pass from Terrelle Taylor to make it 24-7 OSU.That is where the problem arose. Posey put his gloves together to form and O and was immediately penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Later in the third quarter after Boom Herron scored on a 32 yard run, making the score 31-7 OSU, offensive lineman Mike Adams flashed the O to the fans and he too was hit with a 15 yard penalty.

Come on Big Ten Officials, loosen your knickers, get some air and stop taking the fun out of the game. Kids score, they are pumped, the fans yell and cheer. Its not like the players were taunting anyone or being poor sports. They were celebrating their success and sharing it with the fans.

Whats next, excessive celebration penalties for the still allowed chest bumps. Will we see 15 yard penalties for cheer leaders doing flips?

This is just stupid on the part of the officials, the games are to be fun and entertaining. Fans want to interact with their teams. Teams want the fans to be part of the game. We see in games all over the country where the players encourage the fans to stand and cheer.

Big Ten Officials get your act together and stop taking the fun out of the game.
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Saturday, November 27, 2010

Congrats Nevada

I really expected us to beat Nevada by 21 points, be WAC Champions, leap frog TCU and be invited to the Rose Bowl.

Those dreams ended on a cold wintry night in Reno, Nevada. The Pack bested Boise State 34 to 31 in overtime.

Boise started the first half on its usual fast track going into the half leading 24 to 7 and leaving some scoring opportunities on the field. Receiving the second half kick off made me think we had this game well in control and that covering the spread would be easy. Not the case.

Nevada made the Broncos punt three times in the 3rd quarter while recovering some of their own fumbles. The Pack came out with their hair on fire and for the first time in years, the Broncos were man handled.

Nevada ran between the tackles like Boise State was nothing. Their offensive line pushed our defensive line around as their running backs ran on us at will. Kaepernick injected his running skills into the game.

He did what he does best if he can get to the edge, he takes off and is gone, he was in trouble, we had him and yet he escaped and went for 6.

It was a very hard fought game, Nevada never quite but neither did Boise. Nevada tied the game up and Boise had 9 seconds to go over 70 yards to win the game. Kellen Moore hit Titus Young on a bomb that left them 2 seconds on the clock and a 26 yard field goal from the center of the field. Something that Kyle Brotzman makes in his sleep but that was not to be. He missed it sending the game into overtime.

Nevada won the toss and chose defense. Their defense held and Boise had to try another field goal from the center of the field. Nevada was not to be denied last night. Brotz pulled a 29 yarder to his left.

Nevada played for position and their freshman kicker became man of the hour as he put one through the uprights.

It is not often the Broncos lose or are out coached, last night was one of those nights, ending the nations longest winning streak of 24 and Boise States longest winning streak as well as all hopes of playing for the national title or even going to a BCS game.

It hurts to lose and lose all the dreams we had hoped for, but better to lose it on the field of play than at the hands of the computer rankings or from voters that never see you play. Last night Nevada proved this year they are the better team, cant wait till we play them next time.
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Thursday, November 25, 2010

Bevo XIV Had It Better Than Bevo 1

Bevo is one of the most recognizable mascots in college football and no expense is spared in the caring of Bevo and transporting him to games but that was not always the case.

The University of Texas have always been known as the Longhorns, even before they first appearance of their first Long Horn they named Bevo. Prior to his appearance on Thanks Giving Day against Texas A$M in 1916 the Longhorns had a dog as their mascot.

The original Bevo was a straggly long horn purchased by alumni. Legend has it that UT alum Stephen Pinckney had spotted the orange-tinged longhorn on a cattle raid in Laredo and bought him with $1 contributions from 124 fellow alumni.

He was transported by rail with no food or water and made his first appearance that Thanks Giving Day at half time. The Longhorns went on to win that game 21-7 and have had a Longhorn mascot named Bevo ever since.

After the game Bevo was shipped to a stock yard in South Austin where photographer taking his picture for an alum magazine was charged by the steer and he was dubbed Bevo.

Back in those early days, Bevo was not as highly regarded or protected as are his Bevo descendants. During the winter of 1917 Texas A&M students snuck into the pen housing Bevo and branded the poor creature with a 13-0 the score of the Texas - Texas A&M score from the 1915 game played in College Station.

The final insult to Bevo was the winter of 1920. The cost of maintaining and feeding Bevo was 50 cents a day, big money back them. Bevo was invited to the team banquet after Texas defeated A&M. Unfortunately for Bevo, he was the main course and the A&M players were fed from the side their students had branded 3 years earlier. They were also presented with the hide that bore the brand.

How times have changed, today`s Bevo like live college mascots across the nation is pampered and well cared for and would never be thought of as part of the main course for a joint team banquet. Now you know more about the legend of the UT mascot, Bevo.
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Ohio States Presiden Gee Makes The Case For The Non AQ Teams

Mr. Gee the president of Ohio State University has done more to help the case of the non AQ teams than help the BCS.

Earlier this week he went on a rant defending the BCS operations and how the select teams to the various BCS Bowl committees. In doing so, not has he only help make the case for teams like Boise State and TCU, he has put their process under more scrutiny than they care for.

During Mr. Gee`s rant he stated that the schools from the non qualifying conferences do not play tough enough schedules to play for the national title. He explained that the BCS which if comprised of 6 conferences must look beyond the " shiny won loss record" and look at who the teams in the elite play.

Gee qualified his remarks and expertise on the subject stating he has been president of schools in the SEC and Big 10, stating that these schools, "that it’s like murderer’s row every week for these schools,” Gee, formerly of Vanderbilt, said. “We do not play the Little Sisters of the Poor. We play very fine schools on any given day."

Dr. Kustra of Boise State took exception of President Gee`s remarks and to Gee`s lack of knowledge of the Buckeyes opponents of the last two season and pointed out that the SOS of Ohio State is not as strong as Gee would have the public think. Kustra went on to say that maybe Ohio State and others in the BCS conferences don't play the little sisters of the poor but they must play the little brothers.

BSU and others have filed an anti trust law suite against the BCS using the Washington DC law firm of Arent Fox who is urging the Justice Dept. to investigate the case.

What Gee has done is given the plaintiffs a wonderful Thanks Giving present, in defending the BCS he has admitted that the BCS does deliberately exclude the non AG schools from the mythical national title game.

Dan Wetzel has written an excellent column regarding Gee`s comments and the potential fall out his remarks may create.

To read the article by Wetzle read the link below.

Dan Wetzle


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Monday, November 22, 2010

Did The Minnesota Vikings Do Something Right? We`ll See

Yesterday I asked the searing question, can the Vikings do anything right? When they cannot even correctly spell the last name of a 5 time Pro Bowler by the name of Williams, you do have to wonder.

Well today they have decided to make a coaching change. How their fortunes have turned. Last season they were a Brett Favre pick away from going to the Super Bowl. Most likely they will seat the playoffs out, watching the games at home.

What happened to the Vikings? First Brett Favre has stayed on season to long. His picks, forced passes and injuries have taken their toll. He is no longer a younger player in his late 20's or even mid 30's. Favre is a 41 year old quarterback rife with injuries, his skills have left him and he is playing like what he 41 and too old now for the rigors of the game.

The Randy Moss situation and the way Childress handled it left a team divided. As many as 6 members of his team secretly told reporters Childress is the one that must go, not Moss. Throw in yesterdays humiliating loss of 31-3 to the Packers and maybe the " dump Childress" crowd is right.

Seems yesterday was the straw that broke management`s back. Today the Vikes did just that, gave the old head coach his walking papers.

Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier has named interim coach till the end of the season. His first move should be to meet with Favre and ask him to step aside or face being benched. Old #4 no longer has the skills or body to compete at this level. It is time the Vikes put some new blood in at QB and start Tarvaris Jackson.

Under Childress`s leader ship, have fallen from Super contenders last season to the NFL`s most dysfunctional in pro football this year.

Did the Vikes do something right by firing Childress, will Frazier bench Brett and get Jackson under center? We will see as time reveals all.
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Sunday, November 21, 2010

Minnesota Vikings: Can They Do Anything Right?

The Vikings started 2010 with great promise and great hopes. They had Bret Favre back, Adrian Peterson in the back field. In their minds this might be their year to shine, shine they are doing but in all the wrong ways.

Between Favre turnovers and picks this has not been the season of promise the Vikings had hoped for. Toss in Brett making as many off field head lines as on field and this has been the season where Favre stayed too long. He still faces the sex scandal and it is not going away any time soon.

Tonight against the Packers the Vikes came another step closer to being kept out of the play offs. Childress must decide whether to bench Favre or continue this farce of a season with Brett at the helm.

With all that is going on with the Vikings you would think the most simple of chores would go smoothly. Like getting the players names on their jerseys.

Granted some of the Vikings players name are hard to pronounce or spell like Favre or Tahi, Kleinsasser just to name a few.

They even have some easy names to spell like #93s Williams.


But for the Vikings it seems even this chore is too difficult. Begging the question, can the Vikes do anything right?
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Saturday, November 20, 2010

Is Boise State The Best Team In The Country?

I am biased but I think they are. Regardless of my opinion they are making a strong case.

Last night a good Fresno State Bull Dawg team came into Bronco Stadium hoping to upset the Broncos who are currently 4th in the BCS polls. It wasnt even close.

I predicted Boise would win by 21 and knew Fresno would get its yards and points, but that the Bronco Offense and Defense would be too much for the men in red from the Valley.

The Bronco Defense never ceases to amaze me. Lat night they faced a running back who had over 750 yard rushing in his previous 4 games, including two games that were 200 yard plus outings. Last night he was held to 70 yards. With only minutes left in the game Fresno had been held to 7 yards total rushing and ended the game with a total of 49 yards rushing, they acquired 42 yards their last drive. Fresno could not get un-tracked on the ground or in the air. Fresno had 11 possessions and were forced into 8 three and outs. Even the famous Fresno State Special Teams were rendered ineffective. Boise State 51 Fresno 0 their first time being shut out since 11-07-98

The week before against the hapless Vandals from the University of Idaho. Boise State put on the best 1st quarter of football I think I have ever seen. Idaho received the opening kick off and was forced into a three and out and punted, Chris Potter ran the ball back for a 76 yard score with only 55 seconds burned off the clock. All in all Boise State showed total dominance of their cross state rivals in that quarter, blocking a punt, two picks two sacks and putting 28 points on the board in less than 15 minutes of play. Boise took their foot off the gas after that and settled for a 52 - 14 win, the Vandals scoring late in the fourth quarter.

On Saturday November 6 the Broncos hosted Hawaii a team having a good season and all ready bowl bound to their own Hawaii Bowl. Moniz and company came into Bronco Stadium with the nations leading passing offense. They were riding a 6 game winning streak averaging 360 through the air and 39 points per game. This year Boise has been vulnerable to the pass. At the half the had a total of 89 yards in offense. Bronco Heisman candidate Kellen Moore had a Bronco record setting day. He threw for over 500 yards 3 TDs passing hit 30 of 37 and destroyed the Warriors 42 - 7

When a team is dominating its opponents the way Boise State is and is in the top five in offense and defense and is only team doing that, I have to believe they are the best team in the country, Boise State is doing that and that is why I think my beloved Broncos belong in the National Title Game.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Some Things Are Bigger Than The Game

I took my time to really think about the story I am going to share and know regardless of my best efforts I cannot due it justice.

Saturday November 6th Boise State marked the passing of its annual rivalry game with The Hawaii Warriors. Boise State has a long history of playing Hawaii and that days game was special. A day I will always remember.

Saturday we were given a new one time special assistant coach. He was a young man 12 years of age from Texas. He came to Boise State through the Make A Wish Foundation.

A few years ago this kid lived in Oregon and was flipping through channels looking at different football games, he came across a Boise State game and fell in love with the Blue Turf. See not everyone dislikes our Blue.

He became and instant fan of Boise State, even after his family moved to the Dallas area of Texas, he remained loyal to Boise State.

The boy has been diagnosed with cancer and probably has little time left. He was granted a wish through the Make a Wish Foundation and he asked to see the Boise State Broncos play in real life.

Boise States Coach Petersen`s wife is a volunteer at the local Make a Wish Foundation, when she saw the request she took it to her husband to make it happen. When Petersen was told he asked don't you think he meant the Denver Broncos.

Like any coach in any league Petersen reached out to the kid and said it would happen and that he would make it very special for the young man. That is where this story becomes as special like when the USC Trojans adopted a young man who lost his eyes to cancer and Pete Carroll and the Trojans made him one of theirs.

When the Broncos come onto the field at home games, a young lady rides a horse out onto the field followed first by the Boise State player carrying the sledge hammer and the rest of the team.

Saturday was different after the horse came out the Broncos walked out instead of running. Leading the team onto the field was the player with the sledge hammer in one hand and the hand of the young boy in his other hand. As they walked onto the field with the team behind them, hand in hand, the fans and both benches gave them a standing ovation. For me it was difficult to see, its hard to see clearly when the eyes are fogged over with tears.



The boy was an honorary coach and was even given a working head set. Coach Pete said it would be special for the boy and it was not just for him but for us as fans. Both teams and all the fans present at the game got to part of this young mans special day. Pete shared it with us all.

Also special was Pete getting to go full circle with the Make a Wish Foundation. See a few years ago when one of Pete's boys was around 12, he was diagnosed with brain cancer, fortunately his son is ok. Pete and his son were beneficiaries of a wish through the Make a Wish Foundation. Pete got to give more than being a coach, he was able to give back as a father that had been through the same thing.

I know I did not give this story justice, it is the best I can do. Some things are bigger than the game. Saturday we as fans got to participate in it. Thanks Coach Pete for the way you did it, thanks to the boy for choosing my team and allowing us all to open our hearts to you and keep you in our prayers.
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Monday, November 1, 2010

Randy Moss: Should Minnesota Fire Him?

Today we learned that Minnesota Vikings Coach Childress announced to the team this morning that Randy Moss is a ghost.

According to different ESPN sports shows that showed interviews with Viking players, they have not been able to confirm the story with Childress, the Vikings or Moss`s sports agent.

ESPN said today`s waiver list did not have the troubled wide receivers name on the list.

The question is does Randy Moss deserve to be fired from the Minnesota Vikings? I believe he does and will make my case in this posting.

First of all Moss quit on a play. He did draw the pass interference call but he was in the end zone and the ball fell two feet from him. He just flat quit on his team and the play.

Sadly later on the drive when Moss quit on the play, Brett Favre was hurt and carted off the field. Many are already blaming Moss for the Favre injury. I am not sure I go along with that, a player can be injured on any given play. What he did do was cost his team a touch down that took four more plays to make happen.

Rany Moss conducted one of the most bizarre post game press conferences I have ever seen. He started out saying how was fined $25 K by the NFL for not answering the presses questions and added he answered questions during the week. He then went on to say that he would not answer any more questions the rest of the year. Adding he would conduct his own interviews asking himself his own questions and supplying the answers. So is this combined with the play he quit on enough to terminate his services. In my opinion no, it was what else he said in his interview that as a football fan disturbs me.

Moss went on to praise the Pats, he said how Belichick is one fo the greatest coaches of all time. He continued saying how he loved his former team mates. He added he did not know when he would get back to New England and said how much he missed his former team. Combine that with his refusal to listen to his Minnesota coaches about how the Pats will play the game,to me it makes me wonder if he chose to make that touchdown catch for different reasons.

His press conference came across as a please take me back New England please get me out of here and let me be part of the team I love.I saw it as a complete slap in the face to the Minnesota Vikings and the fans.

When you combine his total lack of effort to help the Vikes beat New England and the post press conference it is time for Moss to be moved out the door. Below are links to videos of the pass he quit on and his post game presser.

Randy Moss
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