The NFL Semifinals Proves There's More to a Team Than the Quarterback

As long-time readers should know, while I don't deny that the quarterback is an integral part of a successful team, I think analysts who contend it's the most important position in all of sports, even just football, are inaccurate, to put it lightly. To me, the three most important ingredients to building a long-term successful football program are: 1) Good defense, 2) Consistent pass protection, and 3) Solid run blocking.

Let's look at this year's semifinals. We have: 1) the New England Patriots, 2) the Jacksonville Jaguars, 3) the Philadelphia Eagles, and 4) the Minnesota Vikings. Where do all these teams rank?

Pass protection
3) Jacksonville: 24 sacks allowed
7) Minnesota: 27 sacks allowed
13) New England: 35 sacks allowed
16) Philadelphia: 36 sacks allowed
Average rank: 9.75

Run blocking
1) Jacksonville: 141.4 ypg
3) Philadelphia: 132.2 ypg
7) Minnesota: 122.3 ypg
10) New England: 118.1 ypg
Average rank: 5.25

Defense
1) Minnesota: 15.8 ppg
2) Jacksonville: 16.8 ppg
4) Philadelphia: 18.4 ppg
5) New England: 18.5 ppg
Average rank: 3.00

Quarterbacks
2) New England: 276.9 ypg
11) Minnesota: 234.6 ypg
13) Philadelphia: 233.6 ypg
17) Jacksonville: 224.5 ypg
Average rank: 10.75

Let's expand our field even further, to all 12 playoff teams (the four before-mentioned, along with: Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Tennessee, Buffalo, LA Rams, New Orleans, Carolina, and Atlanta):

Pass protection
2) New Orleans: 18 sacks allowed
3) Atlanta: 24 sacks allowed
3) Jacksonville: 24 sacks allowed
3) Pittsburgh: 24 sacks allowed
7) Minnesota: 27 sacks allowed
9) LA Rams: 28 sacks allowed
13) Carolina: 35 sacks allowed
13) New England: 35 sacks allowed
13) Tennessee: 35 sacks allowed
16) Philadelphia: 36 sacks allowed
17) Kansas City: 37 sacks allowed
24) Buffalo: 47 sacks allowed
Average rank: 10.25

Run blocking
1) Jacksonville: 141.4 ypg
3) Philadelphia: 132.2 ypg
4) Carolina: 131.4 ypg
5) New Orleans: 129.4 ypg
6) Buffalo: 126.1 ypg
7) Minnesota: 122.3 ypg
8) LA Rams: 122.1 ypg
9) Kansas City: 118.1 ypg
10) New England: 118.1 ypg
13) Atlanta: 115.4 ypg
15) Tennessee: 114.6 ypg
20) Pittsburgh: 104.2 ypg
Average rank: 8.42

Defense
1) Minnesota: 15.8 ppg
2) Jacksonville: 16.8 ppg
4) Philadelphia: 18.4 ppg
5) New England: 18.5 ppg
7) Pittsburgh: 19.3 ppg
8) Atlanta: 19.7 ppg
10) New Orleans: 20.4 ppg
11) Carolina: 20.4 ppg
12) LA Rams: 20.6 ppg
15) Kansas City: 21.2 ppg
17) Tennessee: 22.3 ppg
18) Buffalo: 22.4 ppg
Average rank: 9.17

Quarterbacks
2) New England: 276.9 ypg
3) Pittsburgh: 273.8 ypg
5) New Orleans: 261.8 ypg
7) Kansas City: 256.5 ypg
8) Atlanta: 249.4 ypg
10) LA Rams: 239.4 ypg
11) Minnesota: 234.6 ypg
13) Philadelphia: 233.6 ypg
17) Jacksonville: 224.5 ypg
23) Tennessee: 198.9 ypg
28) Carolina: 192.3 ypg
31) Buffalo: 176.6 ypg
Average rank: 13.17

Like I've said, while quarterbacks may be important, they're typically not worth much if you're void of much pass protection, any ground game, or a steady defense.

Another look at "The Nightly Show" with Larry Wilmore

After its first week, I gave The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore a B+ grade. While I didn't think the show appeared to be perfect by any stretch of the imagination, I also liked the Daily Show meets Politically Incorrect vibe I got from it, and thought, with the proper adjustments, the show would indeed provide a great fill-in for The Colbert Report . In the show's succeeding weeks, however, I've been less impressed by it and think that if it doesn't make certain adjustments, it could be in jeopardy of losing many long-time viewers of the show's time slot. One major issue I think the show's had to this point is a lack of direction. It's been unable to decide whether it wants to be a comedy show with serious conversation sprinkled in or a serious show with comedy sprinkled in. It's almost as if the show's writers want to give The Nightly Show a Real Time with Bill Maher feel. The problem with that idea or format is the fact Real Time is an hour lon...

My first book review of "Penetrating the Heart of Life: Ambiguous In Thought, Ambivalent In Feeling"

Well, I received my first book review on this poetry-compilation book I completed and published late last year, but have finally gotten around to marketing now. The reviewer gave it 5 out of 5 stars and said: "I enjoyed the poetic journey the writer has taken me on. From darkest days and hopeful optimism to the conclusion of hope realized. The visual images that the poem titled "Room Temperature" elicits, made me think of the song, "Horse With No Name" sung by the band America. In a similar manner, another poem – "Deafening Sigh-lence" reminded me a great deal of Simon & Garfunkel’s song, "The Sound of Silence". There are so many poems in this book that I related to, that I felt a connection to the author and felt that we were traveling on this journey together." http://www.lulu.com/shop/craig-rozniecki/penetrating-the-heart-of-life-ambiguous-in-thought-ambivalent-in-feeling/paperback/product-18677501.html

A closer look at the Scramble With Friends power-ups

I am unashamed to admit that I'm a nerd. My idea of a good time is playing a word game like Boggle or Scrabble. Thankfully, I (and many others) can play such games via Facebook and/or my (our) cell phone(s). While it seems that cheating has become more commonplace in these games (Words With Friends in particular) than San Diego has had nice weather, I've yet to give in to that craze. One element present with the game Scramble With Friends (Boggle) not present in Words With Friends (Scrabble) are legal boosts called "power-ups," which cost a number of tokens from the 15 available. I've now tried all five power-ups, including the latest one which costs money. So, in case anyone's curious about playing the game or giving these power-ups a gander, here's a rundown of them all: Freeze - I think this is probably my favorite of all the power-ups. With the freeze, time stands still for a matter of seconds, which allows you more time to find words and improve...

The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

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