UK NFL Analysis, Salary, Predicitions, Features, Uniforms | Until Kickoff

Gloucester Centurions victorious in first game of the 2013 season

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:03:00 +0000

FT Score: Gloucester Centurions 30- 18 Bristol Apache

2013 Rosemary Watts

With the British American Football National Leagues (BAFANL) well into its fifth week of the season, the Centurions hosted their first home game against local rivals the Bristol Apache. The game was set to be an interesting one since the teams last met in the final game of the Division 2 South West 2012 season.

Conscious that the Apache were holding a two game winning streak led by ex-Aztecs player Coach Pete Jones, it was clear that the Apache team had improved drastically since last season. Yet the Centurions, led by newly appointed Head Coach Mark Hopkins, were driven more than ever for a win.

The game began with the Centurions kicking off to the Apache. Quick on their feet, the Apache offense moved the ball into the Centurions’ end zone for a touchdown on their first drive of the game to take a 6-0 lead.

It was now time for the Centurions offense to take to the field to see whether new Quarterback Dave Keen could drive a quick response. With a mixture of running and passing the ball moved easily, however a determined Apache defense made a strong stand in the red zone and the Centurions had to settle for a field goal made by Gary Claxton taking the score to 6-3 still in favour of the Apache. The next couple of drives saw neither side take control until QB Dave Keen started to throw the ball around more, using a multitude of receivers to keep the chains moving. Success eventually came when full back Ian Lakin drove the ball deep into Apache territory with a 24 yard carry which was quickly followed by a superb pass by QB Keen to young receiver Sammy-Lee Baker to secure a touchdown in his first ever senior league game.

Claxton added the extra point to make the score 10-6 to the Centurions. With half time approaching a slight lapse of concentration in the Centurions’ defense allowed the Apache to execute a screenplay pass up the right hand side of the pitch, which their receiver ran in for a touchdown to give a half time score of 12-10 to the Apache.

The second half started with Gloucester receiving the ball, with the introduction of Levi Smith at full back, a run heavy offense was played with several notable runs by veteran running back Shaun Griffin including a 38 yard lead off the back of offensive linemen Karl Friston and Phil ‘Big Bird’ Bowers. The drive was capped off with a short pass to Drew Newiss who then only needed to step over the goal line for a touchdown, for the Centurions to take the lead back 16-12.

However this lead was short lived, with Bristol not prepared to give up on their perfect record they began driving with a mixture of hard running and some key third down plays. Their hard work was rewarded with a touchdown but no extra points were made due to an excellent block on the extra point attempt by Centurions defenseman Sam Bonner. With the Apache regaining the lead again 18 -16 it was time to see what the Centurions were made of!

Gloucester’s offence had to change gear and did so. With key third down conversions from QB Keen to Tight End Stuart Toogood the Centurions soon found themselves once again in the Apache red zone from which Griffin powered through the middle for a running touchdown, another extra point conversion by Claxton took the score to 23-18 in favour of the Centurions. With less than 5 minutes left to play this made for a tense finale. Desperate to continue their winning record the Apache took the field and a series of well executed plays by their offense rapidly took them into the Centurions half but with big hits flying in from Craig Harris and Rob Rees the Centurions were holding their own and a key sack by Gloucester’s defensive end Ben Lee Harris deep in their own brought the drive to a halt and turned the ball back over to the Centurions on their own 7 yard line. Now with less than 2 minutes remaining the offense took to the field and all they had to do was retain possession of the ball and run down the clock for a victory. However the drama wasn’t to end there, with Gloucester fighting for every yard an unexpected gap opened in the Apache defense allowing full back Levi Smith to make a monster 83-yard carry for a touchdown that sealed a hard fought and well-deserving victory for the Centurions, final score 30-18.

The next Centurions’ home game against the Solent Thrashers is scheduled for Sunday 26^th May, kick-off: 14:30 at Sir Thomas Rich’s Grammar School, Oakleaze GL2 0LF.

Brit Bowl XXVII Location and Venue Confirmed: Saturday October 5th - John Charles Stadium, Leeds

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Sat, 11 May 2013 11:04:00 +0000

It has been confirmed that the 2013 Brit Bowl will be played in Leeds on Saturday 5 October. John Charles Stadium, which has hosted the BUCS/BAFA national finals, will be the venue for the marquee games of the British American Football Season. Details are scarce, with teams still missing several key aspects of the playoff format despite the season being over a month old.

The confusion is to be expected with the disarray that is currently facing the upper echelons of the sport. The resignation of Drew Anderson, along with the issues facing the funding and application of the sport's player managerment system (CRS), are painting the sport as inefficient and inept.

A source from a top flight team that did not wish to be named said:

"It's basically a shambles.We want to grow American Football in the UK but it seems some of those who are meant to be custodians of the sport are doing everything in their power to undermine it."

No details are available for what the Brit Bowl on October 5 2013 will entail, or the other national title games, but it is hoped that the upper management are at least trying to avoid a repeat of the lackluster showing to last year's final at Don Valley Stadium. My thoughts on last year's season closer can be found here.

Good luck to all the teams involved and I will see you in Leeds on October 5!
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Lewis English is the Editor of Until Kickoff. You can follow him on Twitter here.

Craig Burgess: Cat-Fight! Bobcats beat Wildcats for first win

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:28:00 +0000

The Leeds Varsity Bobcats began their campaign with a win on Sunday in their opening match against league favourites Highland Wildcats.

The Bobcats defence looked strong from the start by locking out the Wildcats’ offence, and solidifying their strong display with a safety on the opening 4th down, leaving the Bobcats with the first points on the board at 2-0.

After the turnover the Bobcats showed off their strong running game, pounding the ball down the field with Joe Nicholson and Nick Whitehead.

Just inside the 20 yard line and on fourth down, the Bobcats elected to go for a brave passing play. Ben Green connected with Nathan Clayton for the first touchdown of the game. A failed conversion left the opening score Bobcats 8, Wildcats 0.

After a few running attempts and a 5 yard penalty, a long pass for the Wildcats put them on the scoreboard to bring the game to 8-6. A failed 2 point conversion left the Bobcats in the lead at the end of the first quarter.

After a turnover, a long third down pass for the Wildcats left them at first and goal, and all that remained was for them to punch the ball into the endzone for a touchdown. The Bobcats stuffed the Wildcats’ 2 point conversion, leaving the score Bobcats 8, Wildcats 12.

The Bobcats’ offence heated up with strong running from Joe Nicholson and a good catch from Nick Whitehead, leading to 2 consecutive first downs in 2 plays. Another brave fourth down attempt didn’t work out this time, with the ball being turned over to the Wildcats on the 40 yard line.

The Wildcats showed off their running game but was shut down following a tackle in the backfield from Callan Henderson, and an interception from Nick Whitehead on the next play.

With the ball back in the hands of the Bobcats’ offence and the play clock running down fast to half time, the Bobcats opened up their running game again to get the ball to the halfway line.

On another 4th down attempt Ben Green connected again for a 30 yard gain to put them within the 30 yard line of the endzone.

2 failed long passes left the Bobcats with one more attempt to make a touchdown before the end of the half, and Joe Nicholson once again punched the ball right down to the endzone, stopping short by a couple of yards and falling short of a touchdown, leaving the halftime score Bobcats 8, Wildcats 12.

With the Wildcats receiving the kickoff in the second half, the Wildcats opened up the Bobcats’ defence to run in for a 60 yard touchdown on their opening drive. With a penalty on the point after attempt the Wildcats had brought their lead to 18-8.

On the next Bobcats’ offensive drive a great flea flicker play saw Matt Hale pick up 40 yards. Following some strong running and another catch from Matt Hale the Bobcats got inside the Wildcats’ 20 yard area.

On the next play Ben Green once again connected with Nathan Clayton for a touchdown. A good 2 yard conversion brought the score back to Bobcats 16, Wildcats 18 at the end of the third quarter.

After unsuccessful drives from both teams, the Bobcats’ defence drove the Wildcats’ back to around 3rd and 30 after penalties and a big sack. The Wildcats had no choice but to punt, leaving the Bobcats around the 40 yard line after the punt return.

A 20 yard touchdown pass from Ben Green to Matt Hale followed by a 2 point conversion by Joe Nicholson put Bobcats in the lead Bobcats 24, Wildcats 18.

After a punt return that left the Wildcats on their own 1yd line, the Wildcats connected with a series of long passes to put together a good offensive drive.

With the Wildcats only needing 1 touchdown to even up the game and not enough time left on the clock for the Bobcats to respond, the Wildcats continued to pound up the field.

The Bobcats defence had other ideas however, intercepting a potential touchdown in the endzone and running it back to the 30yd line to finish the game and leave the Bobcats with their first win of the new season.

Lewis English is the Editor of Until Kickoff. You can follow him on Twitter here.

Sussex Thunder @ Ipswich Cardinals Highlights 5/5/2013

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:42:00 +0000

Lewis English is the Editor of Until Kickoff. You can follow him on Twitter here.

Gridiron Britannia: The Trials of Brit Ball, Small Clubs and Big Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 10:55:00 +0000

Is the future in good hands?

Grass-roots in sports are important. If there is a passionate following at ground level, with local teams getting local fans to pitchside to watch their local team then the benefits for everyone can be untold. Coupled with the showcasing of a major sporting event such as the Olympics, or in this case the Super Bowl, local teams should be receiving potential players who want to try to emulate Ray Lewis or Colin Kaepernick.

Just like the Olympics, my biggest criticism of grass-roots American football in the past has been that it is too London-centric, but that appears to be changing. There are now powerhouse teams throughout the UK, organisations that are trying to take on the dominance of the south.

I have long been fascinated by the machine that runs behind an American football club in Britain. I wanted to learn how much it really takes to be part of something that gives an opportunity to help the local community but gives no financial reward.

The Cost of Doing Business

To find out more, I contacted Jeff Rutter, CEO of the DC Presidents, who pulls few punches on the amount of effort and funding that is required to run his team.

"We have to raise £36,000 every year to keep the club going. This is mainly done through subs and local and national funding but it only works if we have a solid fan base and players willing to commit."

The last point seems to be a sticking point for Jeff:

"My biggest pet hate is mercenary players, they do not progress the clubs at all and take only for themselves without giving anything back to the sport."

With three teams in the Newcastle and Durham area it is a challenge to entice both new and old players to be part of the Presidents revolution. To differentiate themselves from other sports teams in the local area they aim for a professionalism that will not only grow the sport but provide an experience to bring in fans and revenue.

The game looks great but with facilities lacking it's hard to get fans to attend

Forward Momentum

"Our 2013 aim is to progress the DC to becoming a High School standard on and off the pitch and draw back fans old and new to enjoy the British game. The management team have worked hard to create one of the best setups in the country but we are not finished yet."

To run any club it seems you need a good team and strong commitment, attributes which are not always given by new recruits.

"It varies. We are only in our second year [and attract] about 25 brand new rookies a year, but we are encouraging past players in the region to come out of retirement. We also recruit from the surrounding 5 Universities as well."

One of the biggest problems facing all of British American football is the lack of specialist facilities, and the knock-on effect it has on revenue:

"We need to improve the standard of facilities if we are to grow as a sport, spectators won’t last long standing in a field with no facilities, many clubs don’t see this as vital and they will not progress past where they are now. We need to set minimum standards even if it means some clubs must move or fold."

Brit Bowl Problems

Too open, too big, not enough people - Brit Bowl XXVI

But when it comes to the Brit Bowl it seems that they may be going too far in the wrong direction:

"It needs to take a big step back. Long gone are the big crowds, we need to utilise existing teams' facilities instead of wasting money hiring a big neutral venue and only getting small crowds. Teams should be able to apply each year for it like the NFL do."

I disagree with Jeff on this aspect but I understand his sentiments. The Super Bowl is something that a lot of people watch even if they don't follow the sport. It is a spectacle and could really help grow the British game.

I went to the Brit Bowl last year and my thoughts have been set out here. If we can make it a true spectacle that is well organised, family-oriented and above all profitable then it can become the season-ending blowout everyone deserves.

NFL in UK?

American football in Britain should be flourishing. The centrepiece of the sport worldwide is shown on terrestrial TV and there are two live games a year. There needs to be more connection between the NFL and local teams in the UK but I don't think this will happen. Jeff Rutter agrees.

"The NFL is too big of a franchise to worry about growing the sport over here. There are easy markets to aim at and they have already tried Europe back with the World League."

Lewis English is the Editor of Until Kickoff. You can follow him on Twitter here.
A massive thanks to a fantastic photographer Nathan Sharrocks for the pictures

Rex Ryan Has Big Plans For the Jets - Yet No Specifics

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 09:12:00 +0000

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan has been in the news quite a bit lately and not always for the best reasons. Ryan angered many Jet fans recently after a photo of a pretty hilarious tattoo on his right arm circulated around the internet. The tattoo appears to be his wife wearing the #6 jersey of struggling quarterback Mark Sanchez, who, despite being paid $8 million a year, has turned out to be one of the worst performers in the NFL.

This came after a report issued at the end of December that claimed Ryan would be better off getting fired if the owner, Woody Johnson, does not pour more resources into the team. This resulted in Ryan holding a press conference where he was clearly pissed off at the report and claimed that the Jets were his team.

Now it appears that Ryan is dedicated to building up his offense. He recently fired offensive coordinator Tony Sparano after just one year on the job. Ryan admitted that he thought that Sparano did a good job but wanted the team to go in a different direction.

What direction he is going to go in is yet to be determined. Ryan said that, "Where I've come up short in my opinion, in four years, I don't think I've done as good a job of implementing who I am throughout this team. And I want a physical, aggressive, attack-style of football team. … to be unpredictable in all three phases. That's what I want."

He talked further about his search for a new offensive coordinator stating that, "When we look for a new offensive coordinator, I want somebody with that same type of belief that I would have as a defensive guy. … I want to be more of an attack-style of team, whether it's running the pistol or different types of offenses. As hard as we are to attack defensively, I want to be the same way on offense."

Ryan went on to state that job at Quarterback will be wide open next year and many do not expect either Mark Sanchez or Tim Tebow to return next year. One thing that Ryan is certain of is that next year's team will not be one that should be taken lightly. He told reporters that, "We are going to be a dangerous football team. I can promise you that. How many wins and all that, I don't know. But I'm going tell you: You're not going to want to play the New York Jets."

My Name is Lewis and I Am a Jilted Texans fan

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:17:00 +0000

This is tough. I am here to admit my team has a problem, and by default I have a problem. Over many years I have supported a team that has never promised me anything and I was happy with that. I felt like I was ironically supporting a team with no hope of success.

Then came our new General Manager Rick Smith. A fantastic player evaluator who built through the draft and sound free agency signings. He brought in fantastic athletes such as Arian Foster, Jonathan Joseph and JJ Watt and propelled them to the forefront of the organisation, providing fans with a reason to believe in a brighter future. This was my mistake.

I supported the Texans like a hipster. I was into the Texans before they were cool and rather than moving onto the next cool hip thing, like the Browns or Jaguars, I realised that I now loved this team. It was like every teen romance every made. Boy meets team and only likes it as a friend. Then falls hopelessly in love with them when they realise their true beauty.

The ending to this story is particular story is slightly different. In this story the boy then gets kicked repeatedly in the scrotal area by a team that won the first half of the season by a mile, only to lose their collective minds, arms and kicking legs. Hell, they even prolonged the agony by winning two back-to-back games in overtime to two of the worst teams in the league - The Detroit Lions and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

They teased me with their power and then allowed Matt Schaub to loftily, and without much power, throw it all away.

Last night's loss to the Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round is endemic of the issues that face me as a lovelorn fan. We are so good - except Matt Schaub. I contemplated that we should get Alex Smith this morning and that is why I need help. Help me.

I miss the utterly predictability of David Carr and Dominik Williams. At least I knew where I stood with those guys. They treated me like crap but they never teased me, not once.

Lewis English is the Editor of Until Kickoff. You can follow him on Twitter here.

Until Kickoff's NFL Most Underrated - Bruce Arians

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 11:56:00 +0000

This week ESPN has conducted a poll for the most overrated person in the NFL and not surprisingly it was Rex Ryan. This is interesting but not too interesting. I think a more important question is who is the most underrated and after careful consideration I believe it is Indianapolis Colts Interim Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians.

The Indianapolis Colts have had quite a year. They have lost their star quarterback, dismantled a team and their head coach Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with cancer. Pagano is currently receiving treatment for leukaemia, and although is a talisman for the Colts is not involved with the day-to-day management of the team. That responsibility now lies with Arians.

Before this season Arians was the Offensive Coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers before being unceremoniously 'retired' and replaced by 'Super Beard' Todd Haley. He is now in the position of being both head coach, offensive coordinator and counsellor for his team - an unfamiliar position of ultimate responsibility. He seems to be a natural.

Arians has kept this team together without overshadowing Pagano, who by the video above still is the beating heart of this team. Arians has no NFL head coaching experience and is tasked with moulding a team that was ripped apart after the departure of Peyton Manning. Nobody expected the Colts to be 5-3 at the halfway stage of the season, especially after the devastating news of Pagano's illness.

Just look at the players who were released by the Colts this off-season -

Position	Player
QB	Peyton Manning
QB	Curtis Painter
QB	Dan Orlovsky
WR	Pierre Garçon
WR	Blair White
RB	Joseph Addai
FB	Jerome Fulton
WR	Anthony Gonzalez
TE	Dallas Clark
TE	Jacob Tamme
C	Jeff Saturday
DE	Jamaal Anderson
CB	Jacob Lacey
LB	Gary Brackett
DB	Melvin Bullitt

To me that is almost a who's who of the Indianapolis Colts. Building a team in the draft that can replace all of those players was no small task - to take those new players and integrate them so seamlessly, especially on offense, is incredible. This is a team that went 2-14 last year. The best news for Colts fans is that they have a fantastic run of games to end the season and could finish 10-6 - which I believe could be enough for a wild card spot in a tumultuous and substandard AFC.

If they get to the post-season who knows what happens then? Are the Colts the best team? Definitely not, but let me pose this question to you -

Is there any team in the NFL that has more of a reason to succeed? Arians is a great coach. He and Chuck Pagano are giving them the tools and the reason to succeed.

Watch out for the Indianapolis Colts.

Updated for 2012: Why the London franchise will NEVER EVER happen

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 10:45:00 +0000

Over the past few years, roughly around the time they announce the next NFL International Series game someone always comes out and states that the aim of the NFL is to one day have a franchise in the UK. This year it has been even worse. With two games and the possibility of a third the idea of a London franchise in the NFL seems to be growing ever closer. Not since the invention of the inflatable dart board has a decision been made to benefit a sport (Easier to deflate and carry) that was so utterly wrong.

On the face of it this seems like it would be a good idea for all concerned; every game played at Wembley so far has sold out.

There is a large-ish fan base that is passionate and supportive of what NFLUK is trying to do and it is an untapped market with bags of potential, not just in the UK but across Europe. Below are some of the main reasons London or anywhere else outside North America will never get a franchise. For ease of talking about the potential team this article will call them the “London Warriors” after the UK team.

Logistics

The world is getting smaller. You can now get to New York from London Heathrow in around seven hours which doesn’t seem unreasonable. However, at least once or twice a season the Warriors would have to travel to the West Coast. After a quick search it seems the average flight to Seattle from London is 12 hours and to San Diego it is 17 hours; both have changes in Chicago. I know this because my wife is going to San Diego next week and having a meeting at Petco Park, not that I am bitter or jealous.

The real problem is not actually the distance or the time, it is the proximity of the games to each other. Currently the teams that come over the UK have a bye week either before or after to recover from the trip. A 16 game schedule would cripple a franchise before it even got started.

Time zone is also a huge factor. If the London team was on Monday Night Football they would have to kick off at 1:30am! No thank you.

Location

Where would a potential team play? They couldn't play at Wembley every week. The home of association football has a busy schedule of games throughout the autumn including England internationals. I remember after the first NFL match-up at the new Wembley between the Giants and the Dolphins there was uproar about the state of the pitch and some believed it contributed to England’s soccer team failing to qualify for the European Championships.

Would a purpose built stadium need to be built? Would they take it on tour to places like Germany, Ireland and Scotland? The middle ground would be to have a team that is based in the US but travels some of the season. Again this would be a logistical nightmare for the schedulers.

There are several other cities in North America that are much further up the list as potential relocation or expansion cities. Los Angeles is the second largest city in America but has no football team. LA could easily accommodate two football teams. There are also other potential cities such as San Antonio, Toronto, and Salt Lake City. London is not a hotbed of football like the cities mentioned.

Support

Everybody who watches NFL in the UK already has a team that they support. If the NFLUK forums are anything to go by the UK are passionate and fiercely loyal. As a Houston Texans fan I love nothing more than sitting down with Until Kickoff contributor and Indianapolis Colts fan Andy Mackay and arguing about the goings on in the AFC South. I am not sure how many people would switch allegiances to a team they know nothing about. The International Series is a special event and as such people will pay the one-off fee of a couple of hundred pounds for tickets. travel and accommodation to the game, especially if it is a team they support. They will not be willing to pay this 8 times a season.

Players

How many NFL players would like to be drafted from, let's say, the University of Southern California to come play in Europe? Not many, I suppose.

Tax

The tax in the UK is much higher than in any US state. Each state provides tax breaks, stadium funding and even law to help teams stay in the city. Sports just don’t work that way in the UK - just look at the Olympic Stadium uproar regarding West Ham United. Laws would have to be signed to exempt the team, the players, the stadium from the UK tax codes and regulations. This would be political suicide for any Government. As much as I like to think, American Football just isn’t that popular in the UK.

Now that my rant is over. I am not trying to be a killjoy, just realistic.

I'm trying to think of a good name for the franchise. Some of my ideas are below. What are yours?

London Riots
London Monarchs
London Royals
European Union
London Never Happenings

Brit Bowl XXVI: A Review - A Great Weekend but the Experience Could be Better

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 10:45:00 +0000

I have just returned from a fantastic weekend attending Brit Bowl XXVI in Sheffield. My throat is sore and my bones are wet, but it was a fantastic experience and one I am keen to repeat in future years. Below are some random thoughts on what I think worked and what needs to be improved to make this an even better event.

What Worked at Brit Bowl XXVI

Neil Reynolds

Sky and NFLUK pundit Neil Reynolds commentated and compered both days of action and was top notch. How he saw the numbers on the Peterborough Saxons jerseys I will never know, but he was professional and approachable at all times.

The Action

All the games provided entertainment and good plays. I enjoyed the Sussex Thunder and West Coast Trojans match-up most, even if it did have the single stupidest football play I have ever seen: spiking the football on 4th down with only seconds left on the clock. Unfortunately this was not put into the record books due to another penalty but I will always remember!

The Location

Sheffield's Don Valley Stadium leaves a lot to be desired (more below) but the location compared to previous years was much improved. I think everybody learnt that hosting the event in London last year was a big mistake. I would be happy to travel from Manchester to see the Brit Bowl at the Don Valley Stadium again.

The Merchandise

For those interested in purchasing new pads or helmets, there was a great selection on offer. The sponsors seemed friendly and helpful. More on the merchandise below.

What Needs to be Changed

The Location

I know I just said that I liked the location, but the stadium itself leaves a lot to be desired. For those who don't know Don Valley Stadium it has a full running track between the field and the stand. This makes the pitch detached from the crowd - leading to a complete lack of atmosphere. This event should be played at a football or rugby stadium with full sided stands. Salford City Stadium, Keepmoat and Edgeley Park would all be great locations for the finals.

The Entertainment

Beyond the games there was very little entertainment. There could have been opportunity for some great family fun. Between the youth final and the Premier final on Sunday there was a two hour wait with nothing but The Whistle Song for company. Events in the car parks outside could have also gotten those - like myself - who love the NFL but do not play more involved. It seems like there was very little effort to try and entertain those who attended.

The Cheerleaders.

I will try and keep this positive. Cheerleaders are meant to lead cheers, they are meant to involve the crowd in the games and help with the atmosphere. The TWO cheerleading squads who were at the Brit Bowl on Saturday did not do this. The Deva Academy Cheerleaders were traditional and if given a PA and correct instruction could have helped improve the atmosphere. The Crew Girls seemed to be a dance group and brought very little to the atmosphere. There must be a real cheerleading squad out there who could engage the crowd, which sorely needed to be involved in the action. I am not a critic of dance and so any other thoughts I may have will be kept to myself.

The Merchandise

The Merchandise was tucked away in a small corner of the stand far away from the entrance. Two of the stands were aimed at those who played the game and only one had NFL merchandise in great numbers. All of the stands seemed to offer a good selection but there was a severe lack of jerseys and apparel from British American Football teams. My wife wanted to buy Manchester Titans merchandise but was unable to. I know I can get this from their store but this is meant to be the show piece of all British American Football.

Junior and Flag Football

The pitch for these games was a considerable walk from the main stadium. None of this was included in the main programme of games within Don Valley and with two hours of dead time on Sunday afternoon, this accessible option for new players and fans should have been showcased on a bigger stage.

Marketing

The marketing for this event as almost non-existent. There was no mention on the front page of the Brit Bowl on NFLUK and there is never any mention of British American Football at the International Series game. If the NFL really wants to keep the momentum they create every October with the Wembley game they should get actively involved in the grass roots football in the United Kingdom. All of my information on the British American Football scene comes from Double Coverage and Gridiron TV - independent sites.

Brit Bowl weekend could be a fantastic family occasion. With the right marketing and the correct message, they could attract a whole new group of fans, from a young age.

Final Thoughts

It is easy to be negative and as I said at the very top of this article I had a fantastic time and met some great people from across the UK and beyond. I just think that the Brit Bowl is a massive opportunity waiting to happen. In Poland their national final attracted tens of thousands of people. We have an incredibly passionate fan base in the UK, we need a national finals to be proud of.

UPDATE: I would like to express my appreciation to all of those who helped with the Brit Bowl, I know this was done by volunteers and that many of the things discussed above are funding issues. This article is meant to be positive and I hope it is taken that way. I want to be able to share this great experience with other British American Football Fans.

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Lewis English is an NFL Fanatic and a Brit Bowl convert. You can follow him on Twitter here.

Jim Schwartz: Giving Courage Back to the Lions

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 10:44:00 +0000

One of the feel good stories of this past NFL season was the emergence of the Detroit Lions as an actual football team. They have, for the last 10 years at least, been the low water mark for every NFL team. Teams would have bad seasons but at least they weren’t the Lions.

This season was different. Everything was different. A team has risen from the state of Michigan with a belief and a purpose. A massive turnaround has taken place in the Motor City.

The reason this turnaround took place, I believe, is due to the coaching staff and specifically Jim Schwartz. Schwartz never played in the NFL but he did play four years as a linebacker at Maryland University whilst gaining a degree in Economics. On completion he became a Graduate Assistant for the football program at his alma mater before moving around the college football landscape with stints at Minnesota, North Carolina Central, and Colgate. From here he moved in to the NFL, working in the Personnel department of the Cleveland Browns between 1993 and 1995. He then became OLB and Quality control coach in Baltimore before finally moving to the Tennessee Titans in 1999. Schwartz started off as a Linebackers Coach and a 3rd Down Package Coordinator and over the next 9 seasons he rose to the position of Defensive Coordinator, working to create one of the most dominant defensive units in the league. He became Lions' Head Coach in 2009.

What, in my opinion, makes Schwartz’s story so interesting is the economics degree. Having started work in the NFL personnel in the personnel department Schwartz has developed an analytical and statistical approach to coaching.

An anecdote regarding Schwartz from his time under Bill Belichick, in the mid-nineties, is that he tried to convince his boss that fumbles are random occurrences. The idea was that over the course of the season all teams fumble roughly the same amount. Belichick didn’t agree, so Schwartz pulled out a statistical analysis he had prepared as part of his degree at Maryland.

Schwartz seems to approach football much as Billy Beane approaches Baseball. For those of you who don’t know Beane, check out this book. Schwartz tries to work to statistics, much as a blackjack player does, to turn the odds in his favour.

In an interview with the New York Times in 2008, Schwartz pleads his case for statistical coaching –

“If you ask me, Would you rather have a great fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants guy on Sunday, a guy who can dial up plays and he’d be the best in league, or a guy who is best in the league from Monday to Saturday preparing, I respect the guy who prepares. You’re not always going to be rolling 7, 7, 7 and be hot every week. But if you prepare well during the week, you’ll be consistent from week to week.”

When the Lions hired Schwartz they knew what they were getting. The second smartest thing the Lions did, after hiring him , was give him time. Schwartz went 2-14 and 6-10 in his first two seasons and some cases coaches have been fired for similar. Josh McDaniels and Mike Singletary come to mind. Schwartz has said all along that this is a rebuilding process and after the Matt Millen debacle in Detroit, the owners have given Schwartz the time he needs.

Schwartz clearly has a philosophy. Having served under Jeff Fisher, one of the best coaches of the last two decades, Schwartz saw that proper planning and a commitment to a philosophy, in Fisher’s case the West Coast Offense.

“Seeking talent based on what he commonly refers to as “multi-dimensional” players. Like his defenses in Tennessee, he firmly believes success is a product of the team’s ability to adapt, and all three phases of the game—offense, defense and special teams—are tailored on both personnel and particular game strategies.”

If you look at the players Schwartz has drafted over the last few seasons, Picks like Jahvid Best, who is a space player who can run and catch the ball, or Brandon Pettigrew, who can block and catch, they both show this commitment to adaptability.

However, Schwartz has changed more than the personnel of the Lions, he has changed the very mentality of the team; creating a consistent and stable base from which to build a successful team.

Under GM Matt Millen, a fantastic player but catastrophic front office manager, the team had no chemistry and constantly capitulated against teams they should have beaten. There was also no vision. A famous stat from Millen’s Lions is that in the first round they drafted four wide receivers in five years. Only one of those, Calvin Johnson, is still with the team.

Millen’s Lions would not have bounced back from a 24 point deficit like Schwartz and Co. did against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4. You can read my thoughts here on the game but suffice to say although Tony Romo did not have the best of games it was the never quit attitude of the Lions that ensure a magnificent comeback.

The Lions had a play-off season and seem poised to have a very successful few years, not just by Lions standard but by any standard you care to mention. I hope they do well and I hope Schwartz continues to employ his cerebral approach to football.

Lewis English is an NFL Fanatic and doesn't care for boxing, but if he did he would pay to see Harbaugh Vs Schwartz II in Las Vegas. You can follow him on Twitter here.

Philosophy Overview: The West Coast Offense

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 10:44:00 +0000

The reason American Football is my favourite sport is the strategy. Each week is a battle of bodies but also a battle of wits. In the NFL you set up your strategies, follow your philosophy and then hopefully execute on Sunday. Over the decades many different approaches to both offense and defense have been developed and passed down, forming connections between different coaches who have been mentored and then gone out on their own. From time to time I give a quick overview of these philosophies. These aim to be accessible and informative. I will provide links to more in-depth stuff if the article has whet your appetite for more.

Some philosophies are more successful than others. The most dominant system over the last 20 years has been the West Coast Offense [WCO]. This philosophy runs contrary to the traditional belief in football that you must draw the defense in by running the ball; then pass when they are committed to defending that run. This is known as "stretching" the defense and aims to create holes downfield that you can exploit.

The WCO utilises this theory of stretching but in a different way. Instead of running the ball, it uses short horizontal routes that are easy to complete. This has the effect of stretching the defense both across and down the field, which allows longer runs and passes in the holes that are left.

This theory was initially implemented by NFL legend Paul Brown but was honed into what it is today by San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Bill Walsh, who won 3 Super Bowls with the 49ers between 1979 and 1988. This was due to the implementation and the tweaking of the WCO. There are many different versions of the WCO with different nuances and ideas. I will be referring to the Bill Walsh philosophy unless otherwise stated.

The philosophy of the WCO can be summarised as follows:

Pass First, Run Later

This is something that is seen all over the modern NFL but at the time it was a radical departure from the smash-mouth trench warfare of the 60s and 70s. The aim was to get an early lead and then literally run out the clock.

Make the defense accommodate you.

Walsh would line more players up on one side of the field than the other, meaning the defense could not utilise its normal packages and had to adjust to the WCO. This put the defense at an instant disadvantage, which increased the chances that holes would open up. Today, the WCO is run out of almost all formations.

Get the ball to the receiver quickly.

Walsh implemented the 3 step drop for his quarterbacks in the WCO - again so the horizontal routes that were the bread and butter of the WCO could be implemented. The WCO philosophy demands that the QB gets the ball out of his hands quickly so the defensive blitz cannot take hold. Players with quick releases such as Dan Marino have thrived in the WCO for this reason.

Efficiency through complication
Bear with me here. Because most things happen within 15 yards of the line of scrimmage, possession receivers - who know the routes and have safe hands - are a massive commodity. If you ask a wide receiver about the first thing to go when you get past ten seasons, the answer is speed. Speed is not as important in the WCO as it is about precision and possession. Jerry Rice is the supreme example of this idea, participating in 20 seasons of NFL football.

Quick Feet

One of the weaknesses of the WCO is that short blitzes and blocking of receivers at the line can lead to a lack of options. The majority of WCO plays are within 15 yards of the line of scrimmage. With defenses knowing this, it is much easier to defend a smaller part of the field. Some WCO teams employ a mobile quarterback to counter this problem. Players like Steve Young, Randall Cunningham and Michael Vick have all thrived in WCO systems as they assume the role of a runner, turning a WCO weakness into a strength.

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The WCO coaching tree is immense. Nearly half of all the current NFL Head Coaches come from the Bill Walsh Coaching Tree and while each team uses different aspects and ideas, the basic philosophy is the same. For more in-depth study of the West Coast Offense visit http://www.westcoastoffense.com/

Kneelgate: Schiano, Coughlin and A Brief History of the Quarterback Kneel

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 10:42:00 +0000

On Sunday, during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers/New York Giants game, there was a controversy involving the Bucaneers attacking the line during a quarterback kneel. With that in mind here is a brief history of the quarterback sneak. The kneel is not counted as a sack but -1 yard rushing.

What is a Quarterback Kneel?

The quarterback kneel is an offensive play in which, after the ball is snapped, the quarterback immediately kneels. This ends the play but continues the game clock. It is usually used at the end of the game to run down the clock when the opposing team either does not have enough timeouts to get the ball back, or is too far behind to level the game.

What is the Official Rule for a Quarterback Kneel?

Rule 7, Section 2, Article 1 of the official NFL rule book states:

"An official shall declare the ball dead and the down ended … when a quarterback immediately drops to his knee (or simulates dropping to his knee) behind the line of scrimmage."

Why do teams use the Quarterback Kneel?

Teams use quarterback kneels when they want to take time off the clock and they are ahead on points. It is considered a safer way to end the game than risk a fumble or interception.

What is the Controversy involving the Buccaneers?

By rushing the line at the end of the game on Sunday, the Buccaneers broke an unwritten rule of football - that only hand-slapping will occur during a quarterback kneel.

What do the coaches say?

The following quotes are taken from the New York Times website:

New York Giants Head Coach - Tom Coughlin: ”I don’t think you do that at this level. You don’t do that in this league. You don’t just, you jeopardize the offensive line, you jeopardize the quarterback. Thank goodness we didn’t get anyone hurt — that I know of. ”

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach - Greg Schiano: “I don’t know if that’s not something that’s done in the National Football League, but what I do with our football team is we fight until they tell us game over.

“There’s nothing dirty about it. There’s nothing illegal about it. You know, we crowd the ball, and we try to knock it loose. At Rutgers, if you watched us, that’s what we did at the end of games. We’re not going to quit.

“I don’t have any hesitation; that’s the way we play — clean hard football until they tell us the game’s over.”

Until Kickoff's Take

I am conflicted on this. The QB kneel is there to protect the players at the end of the game, but they are not protected like this at any other time. American Football is a full contact sport and every play can and should be contested. I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Sound off in the comments below.

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Lewis English is the Editor of Until Kickoff. You can follow him on Twitter here.

Via Unibet: Mike Carlson's Value Bet and One to Avoid

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:42:00 +0000

Value bet: Cincinnati (+1) v Pittsburgh at 1.95

I was very tempted to pick the Bengals straight-up, but I feel the Steelers will hit a big play or two against the Bengal secondary, and they know the Bengals far too well to be surprised by them. Up front the Bengals have the advantage on both sides of the ball and in AJ Green they have a playmaker who might give the Steelers’ secondary a fit. It would be worth checking Ben Roethlisberger’s injury status before you bet, but a rolled ankle is something he has always been willing to play through. A similar bet that might be worth considering is Cleveland (+1) at Indianapolis. I would have taken the Browns straight up, but if the Colts put up a couple of scores early that could change things severely.

One to avoid: New England v Jets (+10.0) at 1.95

Coming off a big win over Indianapolis you might think that the Jets are a sure thing, especially given Rex Ryan’s penchant for getting into Tom Brady’s head and confusing him with weird defensive sets. The Jets have to be able to run the ball to make their offence work, and the Patriots are better against the run than they are against the pass. So the Jets ought to come out passing – but you get the feeling that they are not happy putting the game in Mark Sanchez’s hands – with some justification. So if the Patriots execute their offence and get a lead this is one team that likely won’t catch up by exploiting a weak New England secondary. The last 11 margins of victory between these two teams have been 24, 10, 9, 3, 7, 17, 14, 42, 7, 9 and 21 so STAY AWAY.

For the rest of Mike Carlson’s weekend NFL tips please visit Bet.Unibet.com

The Pick of It: Week 7 Predictions

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 11:59:00 +0000

Five Ways Five Teams Can Secure Victory: Captain Obvious's Tips for a Better Football Team

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Like a sugary Gimli it's short and sweet. These may seem stupid but I seriously believe that if teams just listen to me they would win games. I am a genuine Vince Lombardi.

The Patented Until Kickoff Three Step Plan for a Guaranteed Baltimore Raven Victory

Step 1: Give the ball to Raymell Maurice Rice
Step 2: Keep giving the ball to Raymell Maurice Rice
Step 2: NEVER stop giving the ball to Raymell Maurice Rice

The Patented Until Kickoff Three Reasons Why the Philadelphia Eagles Lose

Step 1: They don't give the ball to LeSean Kamel McCoy
Step 2: They keep not giving the ball to LeSean Kamel McCoy
Step 2: They almost NEVER give the ball to LeSean Kamel McCoy

How to fix Detriot Lion's Matt Stafford problem

Bench him for the first three quarters. He has seven fourth quarter comebacks and eight game winning drives but he is abysmal in the first three quarters of games this season. Just punt on 1st down until Stafford gets warmed up in the fourth. He is the NFL equivalent of Mariano Rivera. Did you know that Matt Stafford's first name is John?

Brandon Weeden is old but he must be senile if...

He keeps throwing the Greg Little. Little is a running (but not catching) joke with five dropped passes this season and a league high 22 dropped passes since he was drafted. Throw it to Josh Gordon if Gordon is breathing. GORDON'S ALIVE!

Buy Tony Romo a pocket watch

Tony Romo is potentially an elite quarterback. One of things stopping him is his sloppy time management at the end of games. Against the Ravens they blew a chance to win the game. The Cowboys had 36 seconds and one timeout to get down the field but only managed to get one play off before a failed field goal by Dan Bailey. To me that is ample time to get down the field and either get the job done or give Bailey a better chance of making the field goal.

Tony Romo is a great quarterback hampered by stupidity and a lack of concentration.

Bonus via @richlloyd: Key to Jaguars Success

Method 1: Stay on the bye week
Method 2: See Method 1

Via Unibet - Mike Carlson Sneak Peek: Sure Thing and Underdog

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 13:44:00 +0000

Sure thing: Arizona (-4.5) v Buffalo at 1.88
The Bills have given up massive yardage in the past two games, and although the Cardinals are not necessarily the best-positioned team to take advantage of they should come out on top. The Buffalo offence has real problems with any pass over six yards downfield. The acquisition of Mario Williams was a much-hyped move but they don’t represent this century’s version of the Steel Curtain; they’ve been more like the Rust Belt so far. As much as it pains me to say Arizona ought to be a touchdown better at home.
Underdog: Houston v Green Bay (+3.5) at 1.90
I have actually picked the Texans straight-up but I don’t really have great faith in my pick. That is something I can say about almost all of my straight-up picks this year. But the Packers, despite struggling with injuries, aging, and a failure to force the turnovers that were key to their great run last season, are still better than a 2-3 team - of course they did actually win at Seattle. Without linebacker Brian Cushing, the Texans’ defence could be vulnerable, especially if tight end Jermichael Finley is ready to go for the Packers. The combination of Aaron Rodgers and Randall Cobb could be just right to get behind the Texans’ defence, while Packers’ defensive coordinator Dom Capers ought to be able to scheme the Texans’ stretch-play offence in check. So you can expect to see the Texans and Packers thrash out a close one at in Houston with less than a touchdown separating them.
For the rest of Mike Carlson’s weekend NFL tips, visit bet.unibet.

Con-Guess-ions of a Dangerous Mind: UKPL Week 6

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Lewis English is the Editor of Until Kickoff. You can follow him on Twitter here.

RG III's Concussion: Mike Shanahan Should Know Better

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:02:00 +0000

Something terrible happened yesterday. It was not that Michael Vick's hands appear to have been Teflon coated, nor the fact that Sean Payton was allowed back in the Superdome - it was to do with concussions.

Yesterday Robert Griffin III was hit so hard that he couldn't remember what quarter it was and was described as "shaken up" by the Washington Redskins staff. For those who did not see it the hit is below:

This is a dark day for the NFL.

This should have been called a concussion outright and they should let everybody know this immediately - "shaken up" is not a medical term and adds to the long standing tradition of the NFL putting a stigma on having a concussion. They should have done more. Washington Redskin's Head Coach Mike Shanahan should have done more.

Shanahan is a typical old school coach and he appears to believe you can walk off serious head injury. Someone needs to teach him that once he cuts

players it is they who have to deal with the mental health issues that can lead to players committing suicide in later life.

Long term effects of concussions can be serious and no game of football is worth the mental or physical health of even a single player.

Players won't hide concussions if they believe they won't be penalised by their teams and the first step on that journey is teams admitting when a player has a concussion. The league does not help with piecemeal gestures on concussions. To show you have a handle on this situation do the following

Mandate concussion dampening helmets such as the Xenith.
Mandate teams report concussions as such, with penalties for failing to do so
Make coaches check helmets fit correctly before they leave the locker room.

Why do player's helmets keep coming off? Answer: Idiocy

Another thing that really annoys me about player safety is the ease with which some players helmets come off. I am aware that this is a player centric issue but the coaches should be checking this also, if only for selfish reasons. Keep your best players on the field and win the game. Everytime a player's helmet comes off it aggravates me. A properly fitted helmet should not come off without causing serious injury to the ears - just ask Matt Schaub.

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Lewis English is the Editor of Until Kickoff. You can follow him on Twitter here.

Via Unibet - Mike Carlson's Column: Value bet and One to avoid...

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 13:05:00 +0000

We have associated ourselves with the good people at Unibet to bring you a weekly value bet and one to avoid - enjoy

Value bet: New England v Denver (+6.5) at 1.95.

This one comes hyped as yet another Peyton Manning vs Tom Brady match-up, but the reality is that neither of these teams has impressed consistently this season. The Patriots' maniacal second half last week came, after all, against a Bills team that invited them to run the ball (and refused to tackle them when they did), so this one really is a coin-flip match-up. My feeling here is that the Patriots will feel the pressure of letting this one go to script, which suggests that Denver might keep it within a touchdown.

One to avoid: New Orleans v San Diego.

I can't think of another time when an 0-4 team would be better than three-point favourites against a 3-1 team, but these are Norv Turner's Chargers, who run hotter and colder than a British shower. Also, those are the Saints, who've been running around like chickens with their heads cut off in a weird Sean Payton voodoo ritual. The Chargers ought to be able to score points against the Saints' defence, which is unsuited to the kinds of schemes new coordinator Steve Spagnuolo likes to run. The subtext of this game, however, is that Drew Brees is the quarter back that Chargers general manager AJ Smith discarded to go with Philip Rivers, while Darren Sproles was also dumped by Smith. I've decided the jilted pair could have their revenge this week, but I would still advise against going with the spread!

For the rest of Mike Carlson’s weekend NFL tips visit Bet.Unibet.com.

Road to Prediction: UKPL Week 5 Predictions

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 11:18:00 +0000

Frankenstein's Quarterback: Building The Perfect NFL Quarterback from the Waist Up

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 17:11:00 +0000

Unless you are the 1972 Dolphins there is no such thing as perfection and even then that was team perfection. To build the perfect quarterback you need a mix of the best bits of every player in the league. There are some fantastic quarterbacks in the NFL but each superstar has a weakness. Factors such as decision making, age, durability and accuracy are all aspects that can ruin a quarterback's legacy.

In the first part of this article we will be looking at what makes the perfect quarterback from the waist up and who we would pick to build the perfect quarterback. If you disagree let us know in the comments section below.

Will we create Robocop, Frankenstein or something from Silence of the Lambs? Let's find out.

The Mind

Decision making is probably the most important aspect in creating and modern NFL quarterback - they aren't called field generals for nothing. You may be able to throw like John Elway or run like Randall Cunningham but most quarterbacks in the NFL fail to make it for two reasons - confidence and decision making. If you look at other sports, for example association football, the best midfielders are those who can distribute the ball and see openings before the opposition. It is the same with quarterbacks. Confidence and decision making are linked together because without one you can't rely on the other. Who in the modern game has the combination of knowledge, instinct and belief? Peyton Manning.

Manning was the Indianapolis Colts. Now he is the Denver Broncos. What do I mean by this? Peyton Manning cannot play in the West Coast or Run n' Gun offense. Peyton Manning plays in a Peyton Manning offense. This involves reading the defense, changing the play multiple times, before finally snapping the ball. Does it matter that most of his gesticulating and random words mean absolutely nothing? Not at all, its all part of the plan.

Manning has 11 seasons with least 10 wins, the most passing yards in a decade with 42,254 yds, the most games over 300 yds in the playoffs with 8; and is currently 3rd all time in career touchdown passes, passes completed and passing yards.

Why isn't Peyton Manning the perfect QB?

He is old and broken. He has a neck which has the consistency of stunt glass and at 36 years old is in the downward section of his career. At his height he was arguably the single most dominant player in all of football. Now he is just a superior football brain on a neck made of silly string.

The Arm

In the modern NFL the vertical passing game is key. Wide receivers are getting faster and faster, which means quarterbacks need to throw further and further. For a great analysis on passing vs run check out this article. The average passing play is almost double what it was in 1940 and this means a stronger arm. Chad Pennington in 1943 would have had one cannon of an arm - in the modern game he has a water-gun.

So who has the strongest arm in the NFL? Jay Cutler. Mike Shanahan was once asked "If John Elway's throwing power was a 10, what number would you give Jay Cutler?" he answered "10.1." Jay Cutler is not my favourite person, hell he isn't even my favourite Jay Cutler. This is my favourite Jay Cutler. He may be eratic and sometimes not have good decision making qualities but he has one hell of an arm. We can bolt all of the other attributes on, like accuracy and an actually offensive line later.

Why isn't Jay Cutler the perfect QB?

Are you serious? He does not play well with others, he has been pounded by substandard offensive line play for the last three years and has average accuracy and suspect decision making. If you type Jay Cutler into a search engine you don't get the quarterback - that is pretty lame.

Arm Accuracy

If you could throw the ball from end zone to end zone but couldn't hit the numbers of your receiver on a 10 yard curl you would be a pretty terrible quarterback. Accuracy is key in the NFL. In college the opposition defense allows quarterbacks a larger window to throw the ball than in the NFL. The increased size and speed of linebackers, safeties and cornerbacks means that once you are drafted into the scary world of the NFL, those windows become small.

Some quarterbacks have made a career out of being accurate. Chad Pennington has no arm whatsoever but had a career completion percentage of 66%. Chad Pennington will not be going to the hall of fame because teams like the Jets and Dolphins didn't build teams around him, and provide a game plan to succeed.

Pennington is the all-time leader in completion percentage but number 2 on that list is pretty special - Drew Brees. Brees is the pick for accuracy in the NFL. Traded by San Diego for not being a prototypical quarterback he has flourished in New Orleans where he has had the coach, the system and the players to succeed.

Why Isn't Drew Brees the Perfect Quarterback?

Out of all the players on this list, Brees could be considered the most likely to be considered perfect. His height has always been touted as an issue but if you give me a quarterback who can shred defenses week in and out, he could be three foot tall for all I care.

Other Things to Consider

Kevlar Jacket

Out of all the Kevlar jackets in the league right now, few come with an injury free guarantee. It doesn't matter if your quarterback plays great or terrible he will always be healthy in this Kevlar jacket. Which Kevlar jacket? Michael Vick's Kevlar jacket,

Jersey Number

Jersey number is very important. Some numbers are forever linked with certain players. Warren Moon is number 1. Joe Montana is number 16. To set our Frankenstein's quarterback apart we need a number that has never been worn by a good quarterback: number 3

Look out for part two of our Frankenstein's Quarterback series over the next few weeks. The next installment will be durability, legs and luck.

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Lewis English is the Editor of Until Kickoff. You can follow him on Twitter here.

Tom, Pick and Harry - UKPL: Week 4 Predictions

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 10:38:00 +0000

Stars in Stripes: A quick Q&A about NFL referee's equipment.

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Referees are the talk of the town at the moment and not for the right reasons. They are making bad calls and generally looking out of place. They are proving that being a referee in the NFL is possibly the toughest job in sport. This week we answer a few frequently asked questions about referees:

Why do referees wear stripes?

Referees wear stripes because nobody else does. Black and white stripes are easy to differentiate from solids. You will rarely see a screen pass to a line judge but could confuse everybody by allowing Newcastle United to field a team.

Why do referees throw their hats?

1) Quite simply referees throw their hats when there is nothing left to throw. If two fouls have already been committed on a play and a third foul happens a referee will throw his hat

2) A referee will also throw his hat if a player goes out of bounds and then returns to the field

What is the orange thing on a referee's belt?

This is a bean bag used to mark the spot of the ball after various penalties and plays. For example, you will see it thrown on the spot where a player catches a punt or when a fumble occurs.

What is in a yellow flag?

You may have noticed that the flag is usually wrapped around something but what is it? It is usually sand or another soft weight. It used to be ball bearings but in 1999 a referee struck Cleveland Browns tackle Orlando Brown in the eye and the NFL was sued for $25 million!

Before 1941 horns and whistles were used to denote penalties. Oklahoma City was the birthplace of the yellow flag.

Why are penalty flags yellow and not red?

Yellow is easier for TV announcers to see. They used to be red, but the all powerful networks usually get their way.

How many referees are there?

There is only one referee but he has six officials in his crew. The referee is the one that talks to the camera to explain things and wears a black hat. The officials wear white. Full information on referees positions and duties can be found here.

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Lewis English is the Editor of Until Kickoff. If you would like a Q&A on another subject you can let him know by shouting at him on Twitter here.

UKPL: Until Kickoff Prediction League Week 3 & Analysis

noreply@blogger.com (Lewis English) — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 17:16:00 +0000

I am a broken man. I have been beaten by my wife in a prediction competition for a sport I claim to be an expert in. Woe is me and all is lost. In addition my fantasy team has dropped to 0-2. This has been a particularly bad week for me. Sympathy can be tweeted here.

If you look at the UK Inter-Blog Prediction Competition over at The Pulling Linemen you can see that I have slipped into second place. It is my 1st wedding anniversary this weekend and so I will not be around until Monday. Have a great weekend and pray for my terrible fantasy team.

Predictions for the league are below: