Editor's Words
WELCOME to the first ever edition of NFL From Across the Pond (NFL FATP) This is a unique view of the NFL from the UK. I am an English and American Literatures graduate and have had the privilege of watching American Football since 2005. I am an avid fan of the sport and all of the eccentricities, but am particularly fond of the New England Patriots. Over the course of these weekly issues I hope to have special guest writers and interviews, to provide even more of an insight into this amazing sport.
Matthew Torrington,
Editor, August 2013.
Training camps are, lets face it, dull. The players for the most part hate them as they are incredibly tough and monotonous. They are also just the preamble to the preseason, which is all getting in the way of meaningful football and that is what we're here for! But some of the position battles being resolved in camp are brilliant to watch. So here are a few:
Nick Foles vs Michael Vick - QB Philadelphia. Vick gets the start after proving his is far better suited to Chip Kelly's system. This is only a short term solution, Foles will have to step up soon.
Chad Henne vs Blaine Gabbert - QB Jacksonville. The lesser of two evils battle. Gabbert will probably get the start despite looking terrible.
THE RECEIVERS - WR San Francisco. A muddy one. AJ Jenkins is gone, Jon Baldwin is in, Austin Collie has been signed, whilst Manningham and Williams can't get healthy. Look for Manningham to get the start opposite Boldin if he is able to suit up. Baldwin and Collie will complete for slot reps. It wont be pretty.
NFL FATP - 21/8/13
Position Battles
There has been a revolution over the last season in the NFL. The read option attack has completely changed the way defences have had to approach their game. The main proponents of this attack are young quarterbacks, RGIII, Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson. So why has this happened. and how long can it be sustained?
Many college systems use a very basic form of the read option attack, and this has previously been seen as a weakness coming out of college as it was said to inhibit the quarterback's ability to throw. Evidence of this can be clearly seen with Tim Tebow. He is a brilliant person and has a canny ability to pull off a win, but his passer rating and accuracy are appalling.
This reluctance has abated over the last few years however with increasing reliance on young QBs to start and have an impact. This has also then meant offenses have had to adapt
The Young Guns
to the incoming talent. The truth is however, that the likes of the three QBs mentioned before are outstanding passers as well as athletes, which makes it much easier to run the scheme. This trend seems likely to continue with EJ Manuel coming in to the league, Terrelle Pryor competing to start in Oakland and Chip Kelly taking over in Philadelphia. I am concerned that this scheme will go the way of the Wildcat once defences have had a season or two to scheme properly for it. I also think that there is far too serious an injury concern with this scheme. It will only take one or two more heavy shots for RGIII to seriously lose his mobility. Running backs only have a 5 or 6 year peak lifespan, and I fear that if this trend continues the position of Quarterback will have much the same. I would strongly suggest that out of all the hugely able young quarterbacks, look for Andrew Luck and Ryan Tannehill have the best careers, as they are able to win from the prototypical dropback attack, which can both be successful and prolong careers. Just ask Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.
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