by Ron Jaworski
One solution is that roster sizes will have to be adjusted, even expanded. Right now teams pay fifty-three guys but dress only forty-six on game day. Why not have all of them eligible, and then add even more players to a developmental squad? The players will go for that because it means more jobs. And with a fresh influx of revenue from the additional games, team owners should be able to afford those new salaries. It would improve the quality of play because then you’d preserve the health of starters. They’d no longer have to play on special teams, where they’re more vulnerable to injury.
A longer season will also affect how the game is coached on the field. But that’s where my crystal football begins to fog up. I can’t begin to guess what changes will occur, but you can be certain that an extended schedule would have a bearing on what you’d see each Sunday. When the NFL jumped from fourteen to sixteen games in 1978, things worked out fairly well. Players and coaches are, if nothing else, adaptable creatures. And fans will be happier watching more games that affect the standings and fewer preseason snoozers that have never been more than glorified scrimmages. If recent TV ratings are any indicator, this move should be successful. Fans can’t seem to get enough of the NFL—and I feel exactly the same way.
o matter how much the game changes, fundamentals will remain at its core. “It still comes down to basics,” stated Joe Theismann. “If you have good health and good players on both your offensive and defensive lines, then you are going to be near the top in a lot of categories, and you are going to have a chance to win a championship. We’re so caught up in headliners in our society: the wide receivers, the quarterbacks, and ball-hawking corners. But the basis of success in the NFL is tutoring and training the offensive and defensive lines. That’s the area where personnel guys place their focus. I look at it the way I look at a plate of food. Blocking and tackling are, and always will be, the meat and potatoes of our game.”
I’ll carry Theismann’s observation even further. If blocking and tackling are the meat and potatoes, then the desserts are schemes like formation variations, men in motion, blitz packages, and situational specialists. The most creative recipes on this dessert menu have the power to make the meal or to ruin it. But to take this food analogy one more step, it’s important to understand that these exotic items have a relatively brief shelf life. Eventually defenses catch up to the offenses. Offenses counter with their own moves to neutralize clever defensive strategy. Every year, there will be something that takes the league by storm, and you can’t easily predict what it will be until it happens. Coaches work fourteen to sixteen hours each day, seeking new ideas that will give them an edge. Someone will find something—and then it will spread like flame through a woodpile.
“Everyone’s a copycat in this league,” noted Dick Vermeil. “Some coaches think, I’d better give this a try. That’s the way to win. I’ve only got so many years left in my contract. We’re not successful the way we’re doing it right now. We’ve got to find a way to do it better. And then, all of a sudden, those teams go down and another trend comes up. It still comes down to who’s got the best players. If you don’t have enough of them, then your packages are limited. And if you don’t have players that can make big plays, then you’d better design something to manufacture those plays.”
Fortunately, the influx of player talent is as impressive as it’s ever been. Athletes entering the pro ranks now are as big as veterans, and kids coming out of high school look like grown men! Their skill sets are more complete than even just a few years ago, and they have the advantages of healthier nutrition, comprehensive exercise regimens, and better coaching. The pros clearly have better raw talent to work with today. Now it’s up to their staffs to create winning strategies.
Shortly before he passed away, Bill Walsh observed, “Like everything else in society, coaching has become more sophisticated. There’s much more science to coaching, more research. The game is more refined, strategies and tactics have changed. It’s certainly a faster game, more wide-open. People are better teachers, more exacting in what they want. The staffs are so much larger and have a broader base of expertise.” Bill made this statement a few years ago, but it’s as true now as it was the day he said it. There’s never been a more exciting time for coaches to experiment with new ideas.
Through all my film study, the one constant I see is that there’s no single way to win a football game. There are many paths to a championship. I wince when I hear people say, “This team needs a better running game or breakout receiver to win it all.” Other than a top-flight quarterback, there isn’t any one component a squad must have to contend for the Super Bowl. If it has coaches who are innovative and adaptable, and who can successfully teach their system to a core group of solid players, that team can win in this league—and maybe make a little history of its own along the way.
ny quarterback will tell you that he’s only as good as the guys who block for him and the receivers who catch his passes. Putting this book together was no different. There were many people who helped us throughout the researching and writing process, and we’d like to extend our thanks to all of them.
The bedrock of this book was the coaching and archival film that allowed us to revisit and analyze each of our chosen games. Thanks go to Bob McCartney with the Steelers, Berj Najarian of the Patriots, and Rusty Sullivan at the New England Sports Museum for sharing their football footage. We’d also like to thank our colleagues at NFL Films who tracked down game footage and vintage broadcasts, including Jeremy Swarbrick, Michael Villanova, and Chris Willis. A big shout-out goes to Nick Kehoe, Lou Russo, and Sean Coffey on the NFL Matchup production team. Additional thanks to Maryann Wenger, James McCormick, and Diane Kimball for their assistance with interviews. NFL Films was also a valuable source for hundreds of transcripts, publications, and produced programs that greatly enriched our narrative. We’d like to thank Howard Katz and Steve Sabol for making all those resources available. Thank you, Steve, for also writing the foreword to this book. We appreciate your kind words and support.
Another vital source for any football research project is the Pro Football Hall of Fame. We are indebted to their archivists Pete Fierle, Saleem Choudhry, and Jon Kendle. Thanks also to various team representatives for their assistance: Dan Yuska from the Bears, Philadelphia’s Derek Boyko, the 49ers’ Bob Lange, Stacey James with the Patriots, Dave Lockett with the Steelers, and Jim Steeg in San Diego. Additional thanks go to Pittsburgh’s Mike Fabus, the Chargers’ Todd Tobias, Anthony Bonagura of the Eagles, the Bears’ Bill Smith, Michael Zagaris with the 49ers, and Brent Hensel and Christy Berkery in New England for their help in providing photographs.
More than sixty players and coaches were kind enough to sit for often lengthy interviews, and we are grateful to them for being so generous with their time and insights: Bill Arnsparger, Pete Banaszak, Tom Bass, Hank Bauer, Bill Belichick, Brian Billick, Glenn Blackwood, Dom Capers, Harry Carson, Joe Collier, Cris Collinsworth, Bill Cowher, Randy Cross, Len Dawson, A. J. Duhe, Tony Dungy, Larry Eisenhauer, Gary Fencik, Tom Flores, Dan Fouts, Leslie Frazier, Joe Gibbs, Peter Giunta, Jon Gruden, John Hadl, Jack Ham, Merril Hoge, Kent Hull, John Jefferson, Carnell Lake, Dick LeBeau, Marvin Lewis, Mike Martz, Dave McGinnis, Matt Millen, Ron Mix, Jim Otto, Bill Parcells, Doug Plank, Ron Rivera, Andy Russell, Rod Rust, Sam Rutigliano, Rex Ryan, George Saimes, Al Saunders, Marty Schottenheimer, Don Shula, Phil Simms, Mike Singletary, Mike Stratton, Steve Tasker, Joe Theismann, Dick Vermeil, Mike Wagner, Danny White, Woody Widenhofer, Solomon Wilcots, Kellen Winslow, Rod Woodson, and Sam Wyche.
We were blessed to have one of the finest editors in the business working with us in Mark Tavani at Ballantine Books. Mark’s a Philadelphia native, so we knew we were in good hands. That’s also true in the case of Philip Bashe our wonderful copy editor. We’re deeply appreciative of Mary A. Wirth who applied her considerable graphic arts talent to each chapter’s coaching diagrams. Many thanks to our literary agent, David Black, and his staffers Gary Morris and Antonell
a Iannarino for helping us navigate through the intricate world of publishing. We’re also grateful for the labors of Steve Mandell, Gary Lozoff, and James Gregorio, who were critical in the early phases of the project.
This book would not have been possible without the tireless support of our wives and families. Thank you, Liz, Joleen, Jessica, and B. J. Jaworski; Debora, Emily, and Jess Cosell; and Joan, Jonathan, and Rebecca Plaut. We appreciate your putting up with our craziness over the past three years. We all promise to now be more available for household chores—at least until the start of next football season.
Ron Jaworski
Greg Cosell
David Plaut
Mount Laurel, New Jersey
MARCH 2010
BOX SCORES
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
RON JAWORSKI is one of the broadcasters of Monday Night Football, and one of the most popular analysts covering the NFL today. He appears regularly on a number of ESPN shows and specials. Jaworski attended Youngstown State University, then played seventeen NFL seasons. In 1980, he led the Philadelphia Eagles to Super Bowl XV and was named NFL MVP. Jaworski then became a sports commentator and TV show host. The president of Philadelphia’s famed Maxwell Club, Jaworski is involved in charitable activities and a variety of business ventures.
GREG COSELL and DAVID PLAUT are senior producers with NFL Films. Cosell is the creator and supervising producer of the NFL Matchup program, as well as a frequent guest on national sports radio programs. He lives in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Plaut is a multi-Emmy Award–winning producer with NFL Films, former book critic for USA Today Sports Weekly, and the author of four previous books. He lives in Moorestown, New Jersey.
PHOTO INSERT
I played ten of my seventeen pro seasons with the Eagles, and set an NFL record for consecutive starts by a quarterback (116 games). That mark has since been shattered by both Brett Favre and Peyton Manning. COURTESY OF THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Dick Vermeil is unquestionably the most influential person in my playing career. He taught me how to compete and how to lead. I just wish I could have won a Super Bowl for him in 1980. No one was0 happier than I when Dick finally did take home a Lombardi Trophy with the Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV. COURTESY OF THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
During one stretch in the 1970s and ’80s, the Eagles beat the Giants twelve straight times. That streak ended the year #56 Lawrence Taylor came to New York. L.T. loved playing against us; he sacked me more than any other quarterback he ever played against. COURTESY OF THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Keith Lincoln takes the handoff on the second play of the ’63 AFL title game and explodes for 56 yards against the Patriots. Although he began the afternoon with flu-like symptoms, Keith set a pro record with 329 yards in total offense. COURTESY OF THE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS ARCHIVES
Chargers offensive tackle Ron Mix was nicknamed “The IntellectualAssassin.” For a bright guy he was also plenty tough—the first AFL offensive lineman to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. On Paul Lowe’s touchdown run in the ’63 title game, Ron blocked one of Boston’s defenders twice. COURTESY OF THE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS ARCHIVES
Future Hall of Fame receiver Lance Alworth leaps over Boston’s Bob Suci in the third quarter. Forty-eight yards later Lance was in the end zone to put the Chargers ahead by four touchdowns. San Diego’s 51–10 victory was the most lopsided blowout of any championship game in the AFL’s ten-year history. COURTESY OF THE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS ARCHIVES
Sid Gillman could be a tough SOB at times, but he also had a terrific sense of humor. Sid was a showman at heart and enjoyed posing for gag photos like this. He was also a football genius. Having him as my position coach with the Eagles in 1979 and ’80 was like being a physics student tutored by Albert Einstein. COURTESY OF THE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS ARCHIVES
Bud Carson going over defensive sets with rookie middle linebacker Jack Lambert, whose amazing mobility allowed the Cover Two scheme to flourish. “Everything changed for Bud with the arrival of Jack Lambert,” claimed Steelers safety Mike Wagner. “He was the salvation, the messiah.” COURTESY OF THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Ernie “Fats” Holmes sporting his trademark “arrowhead” haircut. Against the Raiders in the ’74 AFC Championship Ernie played the best game of his career, continually overpowering future Hall of Fame guard Gene Upshaw. Holmes and the Steel Curtain held Oakland running backs to only 29 rushing yards. COURTESY OF THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Jack Lambert gets ready to lower the boom on Raiders quarterback Kenny Stabler, with L.C. Greenwood also in pursuit. Pittsburgh’s Steel Curtain rush kept constant pressure on Stabler throughout the ’74 title game, and even though “The Snake” put up respectable passing yardage he got the Raiders into the end zone only once. COURTESY OF THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Mel Blount is the Steelers all-time interception leader and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but was constantly victimized by Raiders receivers in the ’74 AFC championship. By the fourth quarter Bud Carson was forced to bench him, but Mel recovered two weeks later with a brilliant performance against the Vikings in Super Bowl IX. COURTESY OF THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Dan Fouts was the perfect triggerman for Air Coryell, but he’d be the first to tell you it was only possible because of fantastic protection from his offensive line: Billy Shields #66, Doug Wilkerson #63, Don Macek #62, Ed White #67, and Russ Washington #70. After every win Dan dropped a ton of loot treating his linemen to elaborate steak dinners. COURTESY OF THE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS ARCHIVES
The Week Two game against the Raiders in 1980 was Kellen Winslow’s “coming out party.” For the first time, Don Coryell and his coaches put Winslow in motion all over the field prior to the snap, causing mismatches and confusion for Oakland defenders. COURTESY OF THE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS ARCHIVES
No San Diego receiver ran his routes more precisely than Charlie Joiner. Charlie flourished in the Air Coryell system longer than any other Charger, and when he retired at the end of his 18-year career, Joiner was the NFL’s all-time leader in pass receptions. COURTESY OF THE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS ARCHIVES
John Jefferson’s leaping one-handed catch in the first half gave the Chargers their first touchdown of the game. It came against Oakland’s Lester Hayes, the NFL’s best cornerback at that time. JJ would eventually score the winning touchdown in overtime—and Hayes would be the victim on that score as well. COURTESY OF THE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS ARCHIVES
Winslow carved up the Raiders for 9 catches, 132 yards and a touchdown. Kellen was simply too quick for linebackers to cover and too strong for defensive backs to drag down without a fight. COURTESY OF THE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS ARCHIVES
Bill Walsh’s pregame speeches were never “rah-rah” pep talks. They were pointed, analytical messages that reinforced the week’s work at practice. In his matter-of-fact delivery, the man known as “The Genius” emphasized the strategies that would coolly and precisely carve an opponent up into little pieces. PHOTO BY MICHAEL ZAGARIS
The 49ers guard tandem of John Ayers #68 and Randy Cross #51 just before taking the field against the Giants in the 1981 Divisional playoff game. Their success against New York’s pass rush played a critical part in earning Bill Walsh his first postseason victory as an NFL head coach. PHOTO BY MICHAEL ZAGARIS
Randy Cross hunkering down to keep the hard-charging Lawrence Taylor from getting his mitts on 49ers quarterback Joe Montana. San Francisco’s entire line took turns keeping L.T. from wreaking havoc in the ’81 playoffs. The NFL defensive rookie of the year never was a factor, as the Niners overwhelmed the Giants 38–24. PHOTO BY MICHAEL ZAGARIS
One of my favorite football photographs—a “meeting of the minds” between quarterback legend Joe Montana and Bill Walsh, master of the West Coast offense—beneath the burning light towers of Candlestick Park. To me it looks almost surreal—like a scene from a Hollywood movie. PHOTO BY MICHAEL ZAGARIS
Safety Doug Plank hit people like a ton of bricks, making tackles his opponents wouldn’t easily forget. But Doug’s t
rue claim to fame is his jersey number—the number that gave Buddy Ryan’s devastating 46 Defense its name. COURTESY OF THE CHICAGO BEARS
For the 46 Defense to perform at its peak, Buddy Ryan needed a “coach on the field”—a middle linebacker bright enough to make strategic changes split seconds before the snap. These adjustments would put the other defenders in the best position to shut down the play. With eventual Hall of Famer Mike Singletary #50, Buddy had the perfect guy for the job. COURTESY OF THE CHICAGO BEARS
Dan Hampton #99 and Wilber Marshall #58 were just two of the Bears defenders who made life miserable for the Cowboys in their 1985 regular-season shellacking of Dallas. The 44–0 rout marked the first time Tom Landry’s team had been shut out in 25 years. COURTESY OF THE CHICAGO BEARS
Richard Dent #95 and William “Refrigerator” Perry #72 have Dallas quarterback Danny White covered from head to toe, with one of the six sacks rung up by Chicago in its ’85 massacre of the Cowboys. Poor Danny got knocked out of the game twice, and later admitted the Bears were unstoppable that day. “You’re always looking to find a solution and we never did find it. We didn’t have a clue.” COURTESY OF THE CHICAGO BEARS