NFL Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh’s recent passing reminds me of the massive influence the San Francisco 49ers coach had and still has over the sport. On the field the Walsh delivered a dynasty to a franchise that was the Detroit Lions of the day; off the field he sponsored the Minority Coaching Fellowship and saw many of his former assistants achieve success across the league. When I recall Walsh’s decade of dominance, naturally "the Catch" in the 1981 NFC Championship game as well as the last-minute drive in Super Bowl XXIII come to mind. I look to a few other pivot points that contributed to the Hall of Fame career:
NFL Draft-1979. Dallas is picking and the Cowboys extensive scouting system has produced their “master list” as always. The braintrust of Gil Brandt, Tex Schramm and Tom Landry never go against “the list”. But with Roger Staubach coming off a Pro Bowl season and Danny White leading the Cowboys to a playoff win in relief the previous winter, they take tight end Doug Cosbie instead of Joe Montana. Walsh and Niners GM Jim McVay take the Notre Dame QB and the first seeds of supremacy are planted.
NFL Draft-1983. The Los Angeles Rams take All-American Eric Dickerson in the first round, making Wendell Tyler obsolete. Somehow the Rams decide to trade the oft-injured running back inside their own division—to a Niners team that boasted no running game whatsoever the year before (the one glaring weakness of the ’81 champs was their lack of a ground attack). Paired with rookie Roger Craig, Tyler cranks out three straight 800 yard seasons and the team wins Super Bowl XIX with a devastating ground game to complement Joe Montana’s heroics.
NFL Draft-1986. Tampa Bay picks Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson first overall; instead of signing with the Buccaneers Jackson opts for the Kansas City Royals and a Major League Baseball career. The Bucs finish 2-14 for the second straight year and choose Vinny Testaverde first in the ’87 draft—clearing the way for Steve Young to be traded to San Francisco. Young’s broken-field run against Minnesota the following year keyed a four-game winning streak that delivered the NFC West and sparked the Niners to the Super Bowl in Walsh’s final season.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Major minors... plus a Spice lineup...
The British Open tees off Thursday at Carnoustie with the opportunity for Tiger Woods to equal a feat he wants no part of. Woods finished second in the Masters and the US Open; another runnerup finish would equal Ernie Els’ dubious run in 2000 when the South African placed second in the Masters and tied for second at the US and British Open. I’ve always enjoyed following the British Open. It seems as though the elements and course layouts take lives of their own, providing plenty of problems for PGAers and giving hope to links specialists like Paul Lawrie. If one can compare links specialists to tennis’ clay court gurus, one can then paint the golf and tennis majors with a broad brush: British Open & French Open= odd conditions award non-traditional play, most of the action is over by noon and the ball takes very weird bounces. Masters & Wimbledon= tradition-rich tournaments where the past is always present, there’s plenty of sophistication and colors (green jackets & all-white outfits) are front and center. US Open and…the US Open= obviously it’s for our national championship- we want one of our guys to win, especially if it’s a veteran looking for one last shot at glory (think Jimmy Connors in ’91, Corey Pavin in ‘95). PGA Championship & Australian Open= the red-haired stepchild of the majors, primarily because in order to have a grand slam you have to have four tournaments.
I’m so glad Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy “introduced” David Beckham and his wife Victoria to the American press last week—I would have had trouble recognizing them otherwise. What a coincidence the Spice Girls are having a reunion tour! Like all other 5-member groups (from the Rolling Stones to INSYNC) this quintet resembles a basketball team comprised of superstars (think Mick and Timberlake) and role players (Ron Wood and the Joey guy): Sporty Spice=Point Guard. Sets up each vocal possession while getting everyone involved on each verse; can lead the chorus-break with incredible efficiency. Posh Spice=Shooting Guard. Scores 15 points a game and plays NO DEFENSE. Doesn’t sing and dances very little—just poses (and what’s wrong with that?). Baby Spice=Small Forward. Soft vocal touch on the perimeter of most of the SG hits, she can spot up from three all day while providing another outside option. Ginger Spice=Power Forward. Brash, makes her presence known—picks up more than her share of fouls and very tough in traffic. Scary Spice=Center. First option on every song—-scores consistently with listeners while providing defense on every instrumental break. Thank goodness the slow sports month of July is ending soon (I have breakdowns of Fleetwood Mac, the Moody Blues and Oasis already prepared for a rainy day).
Redskins training camp kicks off July 27th. You’ll be pleased to know that Redskins Lunch with Larry Michael and Bram Weinstein returns, giving you a daily trip to the inner workings at Ashburn. |
Friday, July 13, 2007
Bogeys, Barbecues and Supplements...
Random thoughts as college and pro training camps are just around the corner...:
This is a big anniversary year for the burgundy and gold-- the 75th season of the Redskins franchise, the 25th anniversary of the 1982 Super Bowl season and the 20th anniversary of the '87 campaign that yielded the best quarter in team history (thank you, Denver Broncos).
Great inaugural weekend for the AT&T National Tournament. K.J. Choi played smart Sunday while Stuart Appleby imploded on the front nine and Steve Stricker suffered a troubling back nine. Tiger had chances but missed a couple of key putts each round--watch him scorch the field next year when play returns to Congressional. And 137,000+ in attendance puts this tournament on that upper tier of non-majors; congratulations to the Tiger Woods foundation for putting together a first-class tournament in only 117 days. Let's hope this year was the first of many phenomenal July weekends.
The NFL Supplemental Draft saw the Baltimore Ravens take ex-Maryland tackle Jared Gaither in the fifth round; the 6-9, 330 pound behemoth will provide the Ravens with depth in the present and a potential major-sunblocker in the future. I'm surprised the Redskins (with an aging, thin line that wasn't replenished in the draft) didn't take a stab at this guy.
Barbecue/cookout season is in high gear-- hope you all have a chance to enjoy the weather-- and the big hit this year was a seven layer dip. We ran out of chips, so the dip became the primary burger condiment--ridiculously good.
This is a big anniversary year for the burgundy and gold-- the 75th season of the Redskins franchise, the 25th anniversary of the 1982 Super Bowl season and the 20th anniversary of the '87 campaign that yielded the best quarter in team history (thank you, Denver Broncos).
Great inaugural weekend for the AT&T National Tournament. K.J. Choi played smart Sunday while Stuart Appleby imploded on the front nine and Steve Stricker suffered a troubling back nine. Tiger had chances but missed a couple of key putts each round--watch him scorch the field next year when play returns to Congressional. And 137,000+ in attendance puts this tournament on that upper tier of non-majors; congratulations to the Tiger Woods foundation for putting together a first-class tournament in only 117 days. Let's hope this year was the first of many phenomenal July weekends.
The NFL Supplemental Draft saw the Baltimore Ravens take ex-Maryland tackle Jared Gaither in the fifth round; the 6-9, 330 pound behemoth will provide the Ravens with depth in the present and a potential major-sunblocker in the future. I'm surprised the Redskins (with an aging, thin line that wasn't replenished in the draft) didn't take a stab at this guy.
Barbecue/cookout season is in high gear-- hope you all have a chance to enjoy the weather-- and the big hit this year was a seven layer dip. We ran out of chips, so the dip became the primary burger condiment--ridiculously good.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Tiger takes over the town...
Ordinarily this week, Independence Day would take center stage in Washington D.C.--but then again Tiger Woods is no ordinary individual. Golf's best player and the most recognizable name in the world of sports brings his game and aura to the area Tuesday for a press conference and practice round that will have a Major Championship feel. The AT&T National is upon us; get ready to enjoy a confluence of legend, greatness and spectacle-- a par three of excellence.
CONGRESSIONAL. The historic course hosted the 1964 and 1997 U.S. Opens, as well as the 1976 PGA Championship. To describe it as a drawing card for players on tour is a major understatement. Everybody wants to play here.
THE FIELD. In addition to Tiger, Phil Mickelson will be playing this week. With Jim Furyk and Adam Scott also in the field, the top four golfers in the world rankings will be squaring off. And there's quantity of quality-- the smaller invitational field of 120 will allow for faster play Thursday and Friday with the chance of quality pro's fighting to make the cut. Sunday should be something else, especially if it's Tiger tangling with Phil. Everybody wants to see how it ends.
On tap this week: we'll be at Congressional Tuesday for Tiger's press conference, Bram's on the course as the tournament begins Thursday for first round coverage, and I'll be at Congressional over the weekend. We look forward to bringing you tee to green coverage on the new Triple X ESPN Radio.
TIGER. It all begins and ends with Mr. Woods. Not only is the sports top player coming off four straight top-2 finishes in Majors, he's playing his first tournament since the birth of his daughter. Everybody wants to see him.
CONGRESSIONAL. The historic course hosted the 1964 and 1997 U.S. Opens, as well as the 1976 PGA Championship. To describe it as a drawing card for players on tour is a major understatement. Everybody wants to play here.
THE FIELD. In addition to Tiger, Phil Mickelson will be playing this week. With Jim Furyk and Adam Scott also in the field, the top four golfers in the world rankings will be squaring off. And there's quantity of quality-- the smaller invitational field of 120 will allow for faster play Thursday and Friday with the chance of quality pro's fighting to make the cut. Sunday should be something else, especially if it's Tiger tangling with Phil. Everybody wants to see how it ends.
On tap this week: we'll be at Congressional Tuesday for Tiger's press conference, Bram's on the course as the tournament begins Thursday for first round coverage, and I'll be at Congressional over the weekend. We look forward to bringing you tee to green coverage on the new Triple X ESPN Radio.
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