During ESPN’s coverage of college football this weekend, Lou Holtz was asked which of the upcoming football coaching vacancy was the most interesting to him. Holtz, showing a true appreciation for the international game as well as a great sense of humor, answered “England”, who of course recently fired their chief, Steve McClaren.
The image of Holtz riding Wayne Rooney for a poor strike on net or Rio Ferdiand for a blow assignment is some great imagery.
However, until we can find the video, this vintage shot of Lou leading the Irish will have to do.
If anyone can find the video of this, I’ll send you a snazzy, thebocker.com sleeveless T.
1. Pass Rush (That sets everything up)
Pressure Brady and Protect your QB
2. Win T.O.P. and TO (Ball control)
Establish a running game, Create turnovers and limit your turnovers.
3. Make more big plays (Makes the game easier for you and harder for them)
Big Plays are turnovers in key situations, special teams blocks and returns, a sack in a
key situation, passes and runs over 20 yards.
If you do all of these things you have an excellent chance of beating the Patriots. The best chance I believe is to blitz and knockout Tom Brady.
The Patriots and 49ers: A difference in Bills
The Patriots’ dominance this has people comparing them to the great teams like the ‘84 49ers. The coach of those 49ers was the late, great Bill Walsh. He was a game innovator, a great evaluator of talent, ahead of his time and a genius. The same can be same about the Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, but the following also applies: arrogant, unsportsmanlike, and a cheater. This is what separates the two teams. Walsh was not only a great coach but a great advisor and humanitarian. Yes he was good at gamesmanship, but he stayed within the rules because he knew how the game was supposed to be played. He didn’t have to cheat because he was better than the opposing coach. The team decisively beat the opposition and proceeded to put the 2nd string in the 4th or even 3rd quarter. As a result the 49ers’ 2nd string was as good as some teams starters. Bill Walsh wasn’t one that ran up the score, he wanted to see everyone play and execute in a lopsided contest. A well executed 10 point victory counts the same as a 28 or 35 point victory in which there are two late touchdowns. The Patriots are known for scoring that extra TD, going for it on 4th and short in the red zone when the game is decided among other things. Several years ago they bragged about beating up receivers in tight man coverage. This is of course isn’t allowed past 5 yards and seemed to apply to every team except the Patriots. The refs have since emphasized this rule because of them. The propensity to break rules which is attributed to coaching as well as the difference in Bills is why I will always prefer the 49ers dynasty over the Patriots.