Wednesday, August 20, 2008
McCarthy a Brutal Hire for the Packers!
...Sometimes I just don't get it !!!
As offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers last year, Mike McCarthy's offense finished 32nd and dead last in the NFL. How bad was it ??? That offense finished 32nd in passing, 22nd in rushing, and was 30th overal in points going eight games of a sixteen game schedule without an offensive touchdown.
As quarterback coach of the Packers during Ray Rhodes short-lived and ill-fated 1999 regime, McCarthy guided Bret favre to his second worst season as a professional with the future HOFer throwing 24 pics to just 23 touchdowns. Favre's 74.7 QB rating was was only supraceeded by his 1993 sopomore season rating of 72.2 and this year's train-wreck of 70.9 yet this week Mike McCarthy was brought back to green Bay and hired as the 14th Head Coach in arguably the most storied franchise in NFL history.
The Packers had to know that this was a controversial hire as the McCarthy news conference seemed to be more of a damage control preemptive rather than a celebration of the man that was going to restore tarnished lustre and return green Bay to the promised land.
McCarthy was lauded for his p...more
Super bowl Props: Do Your Homework
...teams erupted for 35 points in the wildest fourth quarter in Super bowl memory.
Three years ago, the Buccaneers led the Raiders 20-3 at the half. Thats 23 point. The Bucs went on to win 48-21, so there were 46 second half points! Four years ago, the Patriots led the Rams 14-3 at the half, then the teams combined for 20 second half points.
Before that, the Ravens were up 10-0 on the giants at the half, then the teams combined for 31 second half points. Before that, the Rams led 9-0 at the half over Tennessee. The teams combined for 30 second half points.
Before that, Denver led Atlanta 17-6 at the half, a combined 23 points. Like the Patriots/Panthers Super bowl, there was no scoring in the third quarter, and then the teams erupted for 30 ...more
The Benefits of Explosive Strength Training for Rugby Football
...nchronicity are lacking the attempt is likely to prove futile or even counterproductive.
Tackle In a tackle situation there is great advantage in forcing the opponent, whether ball-carrier or tackler, back from the line of engagement. In order to do this effectively, the action has to be both powerful and virtually instantaneous.
In addition, ball-carriers with explosive leg drive are often able to brush past attempted tackles, while tacklers with similar attributes can forcefully secure the ball-carrier and take him to ground.
Ruck At the breakdown of play following a tackle the ability to push back or "clean out" opposing players from the ruck offers opportunities to win the contest for the ball or at least put the opposing team in a disadvantageous situation. The only effective way to win the breakdown contest is to apply very considerable force in an explosive manner.
Lineout The outcome of the lineout contest is largely dependent on how high the jumper can ascend, but also on ho...more
Soccer Systems of Play, Positional Dynamics and Team Formation 4-5-1
...ers.
This is also known as playing it around the back.
Sometimes the defenders can be lined up in a diamond shape. This is to utilize the last player back as a "sweeper" who clears the ball up the field and out to the other defenders and mid fielders.
This player is in constant communication with the goalkeeper and relays the message to the other defenders. This is because the goalkeepers can see the complete field from their vanatge point.
At times and in some cases too often this central defender will by-pass the midfield and play it up to the forwards. I say too often because this usually has the forwards out numbered by the opposing defenders.. However there are a few "power forwards" who could handle this situation, but most are unable too.
It does create a certain amount of excitment with this surprize attacking option.
The defender at the top of the diamond is considered the "stopper" whose duty is to challenge any att...more
