Because the regular season is coming soon (!!!), we’ll start doing divisional breakdowns again in the next few weeks. But in the meantime, here’s a pocket guide to all of the NFC Teams that might come in handy this season.
(Don’t feel left out, AFC fans. Next week is your time to shine!)
Football is no longer a single season. It’s a year-round affair.
And the people rejoice!
Wondering what happens when? I made another Pocket Guide – and will probably make more as the regular season approaches – to give you a handy printable to keep around so you know what’s going on and when!
Today is Super Bowl Media Day. It’s the day when the players and staff of both teams are available to all media outlets for questions of all kinds. Which means it’s a circus of mayhem under very loose control.
So today, we’re having our own version of Media Day. It’s bound to keep a much tighter grasp on reality. Here are some resources for more information on this year’s Super Bowl:
Just so we’re clear: I’m copping out of this week’s Game Play Thursday post because I didn’t make time to write it. That’s what’s happening here.
But in other news, the entire house is decked out for Christmas and I’m pulling ahead in this year’s race to watch as many cheesy Christmas movies as possible between now and December 25th.
SO, instead of actually writing a Game Play Thursday post, I’m letting you write it: What do you want to see explained on these days? What should we cover over the next few weeks of Game Play Thursday? Defensive schemes? Penalties? Passing routes? What would be most helpful for you?
Let your thoughts loose in the comments! I’d love to hear from you!
Don’t get me wrong. SportsCenter is a staple in my daily routine. I visit NFL.com more than nearly any other website. There are so many great outlets for instant updates. But if you’d like to go one step further than just headlines in your quest for football knowledge, here are a few lesser-known resources that you’ll love:
Online:
Peter King’s Monday Morning Quarterback (MMQB) column is a must-read. Seriously: must-read. I think Peter King does the human side of football better than anyone else, and he doesn’t leave the X’s and O’s behind, either. Consistently outstanding sports writing.
Similarly named but different content: Pro Football Weekly (the Spin Cycles are a great way to catch up on news in each division).
Quickish, still my favorite source for witty instant reactions to all sports news.
Television:
NFL Turning Point is my new favorite show. It takes games and breaks them into the key turning points that led to victory. The explanations of the plays/personnel/schemes and why they were successful are SO helpful and not at all too technical to understand. If you only pick one NFL show to watch every week, pick this one. Airs: Wednesdays at 10:00pm and 11:00pm (NBC Sports Network)
NFL Matchup is probably the best show you’ve never heard of. Unbelievably, since this show is a) on ESPN and b) about the NFL, it’s somehow terribly undermarketed. Excellent analysis and game play breakdown. Airs: Sundays at 6:30am (ESPN) and 8:30am (ESPN2)
Mike and Mike’s Best of the NFL (also surprisingly undermarketed) is a great quick-hitting catch up of everything that happened in the prior week. I’m inclined to it because I love the Mikes, but I think a lot of people would appreciate the show for it’s good-natured humor and approachability. Airs: Tuesdays at 3:00pm (ESPN)
If you’d like a primer on a wide scope of football history, A Football Life is your best bet. Each episode focuses on a specific prolific person in football history. It’s wonderfully produced and told like a classic story. Even if you aren’t a football fan, chances are you’ll love these documentaries. Airs: Wednesdays at 8:00pm (NFL Network) (You can also buy the Season 1 DVD Set here.)
Podcasts:
Tailgate 32 is two guys tailgating their way around the entire league this season – well-shot and well-produced!
For all of you fantasy footballers out there, draft time is approaching. And luckily, ESPN is going to help you with the process.
As a general rule, you’re going to want to draft your high-scorers in the first round. This usually means taking the best available quarterback or running back. After that, it’s up to you, but I always like the approach of taking the best player on the board. To do that, use this Top 300 list. Cross off the players as they’re drafted and then go with the best available player at the position you need when it’s your turn to pick.
If you’re more of a by-team or by-position drafter, check out the first two cheat sheets on this list.
For those of you who want to play fantasty football but aren’t looking to get knee-deep in draft strategy, try checking out a Pick ‘Em league. All you have to do is guess the winners and losers of each game every week. It’s easy and fun!
If you are on the fence about playing fantasy football: DO IT! Seriously, do it. Playing in my first league a few years ago gave me a whole new appreciation for and interest in the games every week. You’ll be invested in a way that you wouldn’t be otherwise and you’ll learn so much. No matter what kind of league you join (and if your friends/family/coworkers don’t want to play, there are always free leagues to join online), just join one! Any one!
You’ve got nothing to lose except time and sanity and everything to gain.