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.

Boycotting jukeboxes because of TouchTunes

I love music and enjoy hitting the bar(s) over the weekend, so naturally, when the mood strikes me, I've never been coy about playing some songs on the jukebox. This past Thursday, a friend of mine turned 50, so several friends of her's, including myself, all met up to celebrate the occasion. At around 9:30, a friend of mine and I both chipped in $5 to play some songs on the jukebox. Four hours and 231 skips later, we gave up on hearing the songs we had selected, and went home knowing we had just wasted $5. This wasn't the first time such a thing had happened to me (and many others), and due to that, I'll be boycotting jukeboxes. Why? The scam known as TouchTunes. You see, here's how the plot typically breaks down. A person (or group of people) downloads the TouchTunes app on his/her phone, consumes one too many adult beverages, and due to this, has less care for spending extra money to hear the songs of their choosing right NOW. That's the thing with TouchTun

The difference between "looking" and "checking out"

I may be way off with these numbers, but it's my approximation that at least 75% of individuals whom are involved in a serious relationship feel it's perfectly acceptable to "check out" members of the opposite sex they're not involved with. Meanwhile, approximately 25% either don't feel this is acceptable or aren't sure about the matter. I hadn't thought about this matter for a while, but since I've been dating a woman for about 8 months, the topic has been pondered about some. When reading or hearing others discuss this very issue, I often times hear comments similar to the following: "It's human nature to look." "There's nothing wrong with checking others out. I'm sure he/she does it too!" "It's fine to do it. Just don't tell your boyfriend/girlfriend about it or do it in front of them!" "It's natural to find people attractive." When observing the array of comments, I i

The verdict is in. To no one's surprise, Jonathan Hoenig has been found guilty of being an idiot.

Just recently, when discussing the Michael Brown shooting and whether or not race had anything to do with it, Fox News contributor Jonathan Hoenig said, "You know who talks about race? Racists." One moment while I provide Mr. Hoenig with the well deserved slow-clap. :: slow-claps for two seconds :: So, that was quite the line by Mr. Hoenig, wasn't it? "You know who talks about race? Racists." Well, wasn't he just talking about race? So, by his own words, I guess that makes him a racist. Also, if he wants to be consistent, does this mean that people whom talk about gender are sexists and people whom talk about sexual orientation are homophobes? With that line of thinking, Hoenig would engage in the following back-and-forths: Hoenig: "So, who are you voting for?" A woman: "The Democratic candidate, because he's been adamant about his support for equal rights for women." Hoenig: "You sexist feminist nazi!"

The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

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