Bonus: Colorization of the Day

NFL ARTWORK
By John Turney

As a companion to A Convivial Suggestion for Jerry Jones: Re-serif the Cowboys Uniform Numerals here is a colorization of a Dallas Cowboys quarterback.

Can you name him?

Colorization by John Turney

Post answers in comment section below.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Release Their New Uniforms

UNIFORMS
By John Turney

Two of the Bucs new uniforms, on the right, look like a 'glow' is added to photo

About a week ago the Bucs their new Nike-inspired uniforms. And to be honest, they are not great.

The Tampa Bay Times reported, "It really defines the Buccaneer as a modern superhero for the future," said Todd Van Horne, Nike's creative director for football.".

Okay.

The TBT also had this quote from Bucs co-chairman Ed Glazer, "Any time you have something you've worn for 17 years and had great history in, any change is going to be a little bit new to people … there's no question, once fans get to see the uniforms in person on the players on the field, they're going to love it."

Double okay.

From the Tampa Tribune—

“Today marks the culmination of more than two years of research and planning to bring the Tampa Bay Buccaneers into a new and exciting era of our history," Bucs co-chairman Edward Glazer said.

The uniform features what the Bucs said is an energized and richer pewter paired with a brighter, more vibrant shade of Buccaneer Red. In homage to the Buccaneers' early uniforms, the look also features Bay Orange as a new primary trim color and accent on the jersey and pants.

 The Bucs are the first NFL franchise to incorporate a reflective chrome border around the numbers on the front, back and shoulders. The chrome border incorporates a new technologically advanced reflective coating that adds increased readability and a unique glow to the numbers.

 The redesigned wooden ship logo is positioned on the right shoulder and the word "Bucs" on the left. The enhanced flag is displayed on the right and left hip of the pant.

The new helmet, previously unveiled, is highlighted by a more menacing Jolly Roger.

A "More menacing Jolly Roger?"

Okay, thrice.

According to Nike and the Bucs the reflective border is now unique to the Bucs and was to make identifying players on the field much easier for fans as well as broadcasters.

The uniforms have what is called an "integrated Flywire technology" in the neckline designed to "reduce weight and provide a lockdown fit" over the pads.

Another talking point in the release was the technology of the so-called "Nike Elite 51 uniform" which is purported to increase range of motion in the arms and includes a four-way stretch fabrication to provide a streamlined shrink-wrap fit.

"The design focuses on creating a system where the baselayer, padding, jersey, and pant work in concert," the Bucs release said. "Lightweight padding is also integrated directly into the crucial hit zones' in the base layer.

The new name and number fonts feature "beveled edges inspired by historical Buccaneer blade carvings, echoing the modern industrial design inspiration" according to Nike

But the numbers look like digital clock numbers. From Facebook, published by the Orlando Sentinal—

Four times, okay.

Our view?  They are just not good. But Bucs fans are stuck with them for five years. We hope they like them—the younger fans just might.

Here are some shots released by the Buccaneers—

NFL's Fastest Man Competition

LOOKING BACK
by John Turney

Literally taking a page from the excellent book The Pro Football Chronicle: The Complete (Well Almost Record of the Best Players, the Greatest Photos, the Hardest Hits, the Biggest Scandals) by Dan Daly and Bob O'Connell. Pro Football Journal has attempted to update their report on the NFL's Fastest Man competition chronicled in that volume:

Graphic courtesy Collier Books.

As you can see from page 259 Ron Brown had the fastest time, but Darrell Green won the contest every time he entered. Green left little doubt with his declaration, "I am the fastest man in the NFL. I am faster than all the players. I am faster than all the coaches. I am faster than all the general managers, trainers, and the PR men. I am the fastest man in the NFL".

Green sat out 1990 when Ron Brown won again but regained his title in 1991 when he, again, was the fastest man in the NFL.

Although the AP reports quoted are spotty, and a full record of the heats and times have yet to be unearthed, the following is a recap of the 1990s NFL Fastest Man competitions:

1990

Champion: Ron Brown.

"Brown defeated Erik McMillan of the New York Jets, 6.23 to 6.54

Gault beat Eric Metcalf of the Cleveland Browns, 6.31 to 6.34.

Anthony Miller of the Chargers beat (as of yet not found)

Rod Woodson of the Steelers beat (as of yet not found)

Brown ran the next heat in 6.16 seconds, ahead of Rod Woodson's 6.43.

Gault, beat Anthony Miller 6.28 to 6.30.

The final heat:

Ron Brown - 6.18

Willie Gault - 6.32

1991

Champion: Darrell Green

"In the first two heats, Green beat Sam Graddy of the Raiders with a 6.19 clocking and ran the best time of the day (6.13) in beating Mel Gray of the Detroit Lions in his first heat.

Tim Brown beat the Vikings Herschel Walker with a 6.30 time and then bested Anthony Miller of the San Diego Chargers with 6.25 time in his first two heats.

In the other two races, Miller beat Tony Jones of the Houston Oilers and Graddy beat James Williams of the Buffalo Bills. The Graddy-Williams heat was a photo finish.

Green and Brown raced in the championship heat and both finished with a time of 6.17 seconds, but Green edged Ron Brown with his chest at the tape in a photo finish."

1992

Champion: Alexander Wright

"Wright began the day when he won a photo-finish against Buffalo Bills defensive back J.D. Williams in the semifinals. Each ran a time of 6.29. 

The Cardinals Randal Hill beat No. 1 seed Willie Gault of the Los Angeles Raiders in the other semifinal. 

Earlier in the day, Wright bested Pittsburgh's Dwight Stone. 

J.D. Williams advanced to face Wright by beating and Atlanta wide receiver Michael Haynes in the opening round.

Gault beat Indianapolis wide receiver Clarence Verdin before losing to Hill, who had advanced by beating Detroit wide receiver Mel Gray

In the championship, Wright beat unseeded receiver Randal Hill of the Phoenix Cardinals, 6.14 seconds to 6.20 seconds in the 60-yard race. 

Four-time champion Darrell Green of the Redskins declined to participate in 1992."

1993
Champion: Alexander Wright

"(Michael) Haynes (Falcons) beat Don Beebe (Bills) with a time of 6.34

(Alexander) Wright (Raiders) beat Terrell Buckley (Packers) easily with a time of 6.24
(Randal) Hill (Cardinals) beat Steve Israel (Rams) also very easily with a 6.25
Troy Vincent (Dolphins) upset Anthony Miller (Chargers) with a 6.44

2nd round
Haynes defeats Hill with a time of 6.29
Wright wins over Vincent with a 6.22

In the final heat Wright ran the 60 yards in 6.19 seconds, Michael Haynes, who finished with a  6.20 time."

Pro Football Journal is still searching for the heat-by-heat data for the competition.

1994
There was no competition

1995
Champion: James Trapp

"Trapp (6.26) won the competition after the 1995 season, narrowly beating Raiders teammate James Jett (6.32) - note: Michael Bates also ran a 6.32 but lost second place in a photo finish to Jett. 

Trapp advanced to face Jett by running a 6.25-second 60-yard dash (also reported as a 6.29) to beat defending champion Alexander Wright, earlier he beat Michael Bates. 

Entrants also included two-time defending champion, Glyn Milburn of Denver and Viking Qadry Ismail (and Tyrone Hughes) both (all) of whom Jett prevailed over to meet Trapp in the final."

1996

Champion: James Jett

"Receiver James Jett finished the 60-yard sprint in 6.10 seconds and edged Trapp (6.15) in the final. 

Rams wide receiver Alexander Wright finished third. Wright was clocked in 6.25. The Packers Travis Jervey finished fourth.

Jervey's time of 6.32 seconds was enough to place him fourth overall -- ahead of both Minnesota wide receiver Qadry Ismail (6.4) and Detroit all-purpose performer Glyn Milburn (6.42).

In the finals, Oakland wide receiver James Jett, ran 6.10 and defeated Trapp (6.22) and St. Louis wide receiver Alexander Wright (6.30)."

1997

Champion: Eddie Kennison

"Kennison won the annual NFL Fastest Man event with a time of 6.12 seconds in the 60-yard dash.

In an odd turn, Kennison lost his heat race to Oakland defensive back James Trapp. However, Kennison's time was second-fastest in the preliminaries, and the rules stipulated that he would be allowed to compete in the final heat.

Other players in the field were James Jett of the Raiders and Travis Jervey (and Herschel Walker)."

Giants defensive back Jason Sehorn was also invited.

Jervey (6.40) beat Herschel Walker's 6.48 in one preliminary heat. Jervey went on to finish fourth with a clocking of 6.25 seconds.

************************

1997 marked the end of the competition that lasted a bit over a decade. In looking at the Pro Football Chronicle data combined with the 1990s data we find:

Fastest time in the 1990s: James Jett 6.10.

Fastest time in the 1980s: Ron Brown 6.095

Darrell Green won the most titles with four and that would seemingly verify that he was the NFL's Fastest man.

PFJ's 2013 All-Pro Team

Here are our picks as the best in the business—

Here are the All-AFC and All-NFC picks:

MVP—Peyton Manning, QB, Denver

OPOY— Peyton Manning, QB, Denver

DPOY—Robert Quinn, DE, St. Louis

OROY—Eddie Lacy, RB, Green Bay

DROY—Sheldon Richardson, DE-DT, N.Y. Jets

Coach—Bruce Arians, Arizona

Comeback—Darrelle Revis, CB, Tampa Bay

Exec—Steve Keim, GM, Arizona

Position Awards:

Offensive Lineman of the Year—Tyron Smith, Dallas

Defensive Lineman of the Year—Robert Quinn, St. Louis

Linebacker of the Year—Lavonte David, Tampa Bay

Defensive Back of the Year—Richard Sherman, Seattle

Running Back of the Year—LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia

Receiver of the Year—Jimmy Graham, New Orleans

Returner of the Year—Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota

Special Teams Player of the Year—Justin Bethel, Arizona

Kicker/Punter of the Year—Johnny Hekker, St. Louis

Anatomy of a Seattle Game-Deciding Bomb

By John Turney

Golden Tate beats Jackrabbit Jenkins for a touchdown, or did he?

In a defensive battle Monday night there was one very notable offensive play, a third-quarter 80-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson to Golden Tate that put the Seahawks up 14-6 and they held on for a 14-9 win. The Seahawks withheld a late Rams drive and had an excellent goal-line stand with no time remaining to preserve the win as the Rams tried five plays from the inside the seven yards with less than a minute to play and didn't allow the hometown Rams to get a game-winning touchdown.

Here is the 80-yard play—

ABC's Monday Noght Football colorman Jon Gruden broke the play down this way—

"This is the first time I've seen the Rams in two-deep and you see the slot receiver run right down the seam to control the safety and Golden Tate releases to the outside and the ball is thrown, it should be intercepted by Jenkins but he just misjudged the football"

Well, maybe not Coach Gruden who knows there has to be a counter to a seam route versus Cover-2, whether Tampa-2 or Cover-2 latch (a LBer or slot nickel takes the slot/TE man-to-man). If not teams would throw to the "seam/hole" every time they saw Cover-2.

In this case it was a Tampa-2 call with a defensive lineman dropping into one of the short interior zones to get an extra defender short,  so it's five under, hole and two deep—that's the intention anyway. 

Here is our breakdown—

Rams called a version of Tampa-2, but with perhaps a sixth short defender, a DT taking a short zone with nickel back playing to the inside

Here MLBer James Laurinaitis bit too hard on the play-action fake and abandoned his zone which was the "hole" or middle zone between the two deep safeties

Laurinaitis, knowing he cannot get back to the hole, turns the call, essentially, into a MIKE dog and rushes Wilson. The near 1/2 safety sees there is no hole defender and has a seam runner coming at him so he's left with a decision to make.

The near 1/2 safety takes the seam receiver but that leaves the near corner with no deep help, which he is expecting

Wilson gets the ball off, Laurinaitis gets a hit on the QB and Wilson throws to the single-covers go-route to the near sideline (his far sideline)

Wilson's ball is perfect, the CB plays it well, but Tate makes a great play on the ball and with no deep help a what might have been just a long gainer is turned into a touchdown

Additionally, even with the taking of the seam route, the free safety cannot "get there" to stop the play to give the defense a chance to regroup and hold Seattle to a field goal.

So, what may have looked like single coverage on Tate which Wilson exploited, was a defensive call that had deep help, it just couldn't get there because an over-aggressive play-action read caused a domino effect that led to the safety put in a difficult position—a no-win position as it were.

Tate was flagged 15 yards for taunting on the 80-touchdown

So, clearly Coach Gruden has forgotten more football than we will ever know, but we don't think a simple seam route challenging the safety was the issue, per se, it was no hole defender putting that safety in a pickle.

That's what we think, anyway.

Anatomy of a Bomb

LOOKING BACK (Slightly)

By John Turney

Sam Bradford injured his knee Sunday versus the Carolina Panthers and is likely out of the season. The injury seems typical for the kind of luck Bradford has had in St. Louis since being the first overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

When he has protection and receivers who can bring the ball in he's had success. Unfortunately, his pass protection and skills sets for his receivers have been lacking.

However, in the following nine stills (All credits go to NFL Replay) we can see what Bradford is capable of. 

One a first down (a likely running down) in the third quarter the Rams line up with two tight ends right and the Z-receiver (off the line) outside the X-receiver who is in a tight split (inside the numbers). The Z-receiver motions to the two tight end side and the cornerback who was covering him stays with the X-and the corner who was lined up over the X-receiver follows the motion of the Z- receiver across the formation, giving the impression of man-to-man coverage underneath.

However, the Panthers play or audible to Cover-3 with two of the underneath zone players blitzing and one defensive lineman dropping back and replacing one of the blitzers in the short zones.The right defensive end takes the weak flat the right linebacker takes the short middle and the strong safety takes the strong flat.

The Rams run a hard play-action and send the X-receiver (Brian Quick on a deep skinny post) and the Y (tight end) Lance Kendricks runs an 'under' route and the Z-receiver (Chris Givens) runs an 'over' route at a depth of 12-15 yards.

The Rams pass protection slid left, leaving the second TE to blocking the blitzing Thomas Davis and the running back, Zac Stacy, to pick up Luke Kuechly.

The 'under' route by Kendricks is no threat, he runs below the short defenders and Givens's 'over' route is picked up by the free safety after he's passed off by the near cornerback. With no other threats, the corner goes deep to help the far corner who, though in zone coverage, has Brian Quick man-to-man with no over-the-top help since the Givens route drew the free safety.

In zone coverage, your "man" is the guy who crosses your zone in a classic case of how zone coverage becomes man.

Bradford steps up and lets the ball fly, right down the hash marks with the far corner in trail position to Quick:

 Ball arrives and hits Quick in stride:

And Quick is able to stay ahead of the far corner who trailed him but also the near corner who passed off Givens and then tried to give deep help to the far corner. However, when a pass travels 55 yards in the air, that makes for a tough assignment. Sometimes it's referred to as taking the top off of a zone defense:

In all the play gained 73-yards. 

For the season, Bradford upped his passer rating to over 90 and in 6½ games he completed 159 of 262 passes for a completion percentage of 60.7 and totaled 1687 yards, 14 touchdown passes and for interceptions. 

Those numbers put Bradford on pace for numbers like 363/599 on completions and attempt, 3856 yards for 32 TDs and 9 INTs. But in 2013 those will not happen. "The kn-ee, the kn-ee, always the kn-ee"—Howard Cosell

1984 Football News Players of the Week

LOOKING BACK
By John Turney

Starting in 1984 the weekly publication Football News began selection their own players of the week, as Pro Football Weekly began doing in 1978 and as the NFL and Sports Illustrated began doing, also in 1984.

However, there were times they didn't make selections, such as early in the season and over the Thanksgiving break and over the Christmas and New Years holidays.

Here are the first year's selections:

	Week		Offense				Defense
	1		No selection				No selection
	2		No selection				No selection
	3		Steve DeBerg, Buccaneers				Mark Gastineau, Jets
	4		John Riggins, Redskins				Lawrence Taylor, Giants
	5		Dan Marino, Dolphins				Kansas City Chiefs Defense
	6		Dan Fouts, Chargers				Bob Baumhower, Dolphins
	7		John Riggins, Redskins				Gill Byrd, Chargers
	8		Mark Wilson, Raiders				Mark Gastineau, Jets
	9		Larry Kinnebrew, Bengals				Tom Flynn, Packers
	10		Eric Dickerson, Rams				Jack Youngblood, Rams & Dave Brown, Seahawks
	11		No selection				No selection
	12		Otis Wonsley, Redskins				James Wilkes, Saints
	13		Eric Dickerson, Rams				Todd Shell, 49ers
	14		No selection				No selection
	15		Eric Dickerson, Rams				Scott Radecic, Chiefs
	16		No selection				No selection

Lots of names most fans will know, but also a nice set of players like Kennebrew, Wonsley, Shell, and Radecic. John Riggins garnered two selections and Eric Dickerson, three. Mark Gastineau was the only defensive player to get named twice in 1984.