Question for everyone

by Scruffy Lefty on Jan 30, 2007 4:48 PM PST

I have been looking into getting a couple of books about football and was wondering if any of you had any recommindations? Doesn't have to be any specific genre or anything, just something you have enjoyed.

Also looks like I am gonna give this place a jump start. Seems like we all died after the Bears loss, speaking of which I think Christian actually went to the game.

Poll

Did well all die?

Yes

8 votes

No

2 votes

Yes until after the Superbowl

5 votes

15 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Books:

I've actually just finished reading a couple of good football books.

Next Man Up by John Feinstein follows the Ravens through the 2004 NFL season. You get a lot of good insight as to what happens inside a football team throughout the course of a season.

America's Game by Michael McCambridge is a great book about how the NFL became the most popular sport in the US.

Hey, if you didn't want to get your legs broken, pal, you never should have tried to do your job in the first place.

by Phil Hatzenbuehler on Jan 30, 2007 5:34 PM PST reply actions

America's Game, definitely.

The first thing I did after I knew Field Gulls was going to happen was get a copy of that book -- for anyone who wants to track the history and development of the modern NFL, it's really essential, and a very fun read as well. And it's in paperback. We loves us some paperback.

--Shrug

by Shrug on Jan 30, 2007 7:45 PM PST up reply actions

The book really shows what a genius

Pete Rozelle was. I never got a chance to really know him as a commissioner (he retired when I was 7 years old). After reading this book, I can really see what a visionary he was.

Hey, if you didn't want to get your legs broken, pal, you never should have tried to do your job in the first place.

by Phil Hatzenbuehler on Jan 30, 2007 8:12 PM PST up reply actions

Bert Bell!

I'll never forget that image of commissioner Bert Bell trying to map out the NFL schedule using matchbooks and his son's dominoes. I loved that story.

--Shrug

by Shrug on Jan 31, 2007 9:49 PM PST up reply actions

AND

After reading this book, you'll know why every NFL fan in every city was pissed when the Browns ditched Cleveland for Baltimore. You pretty much learn Paul Brown started everything. And the Browns were not just indomitable for awhile, but often the first stage for the various evolutions of the league.

Another part I really felt strongly about was after the league had finally implemented racial integration, and one of the white Browns players got up and said, "Listen, I admit it -- I'm prejudiced. I was brought up that way. And I'm a little scared and confused. But when I fight, I fight for every single player on this team. And I want to learn to change."

Seriously, that's Kleenex-ville for me, right there. Astounding book.

Maybe I should make you all read it as part of the Field Gulls book club. Look for the car keys under your seats.

--Shrug

by Shrug on Jan 31, 2007 9:57 PM PST up reply actions

Speaking of the racial integration part

of the book:

It really made me see the Redskins in a different light. I've really hated the team since Dan Snyder took over (what a crappy owner he is) but I didn't realize that they've always had controversial owners. George Preston Marshall (the original owner of the team) was instrumental in delaying integration. There were a few black players who came into the league in the 1940's for the LA Rams, but Marshall threw his weight around and almost all integration stopped after that first wave of black players.

Finally in the late 1950's and early 1960's, most teams were finally fully integrated, except Marshall's Redskins. It wasn't until 1962 when Pete Rozelle and the other owners forced his hand that he finally integrated.

Hey, if you didn't want to get your legs broken, pal, you never should have tried to do your job in the first place.

by Phil Hatzenbuehler on Feb 1, 2007 6:46 AM PST up reply actions

True, true.

Considering their sensitivity awareness in the name of their damn team, color me not so surprised.

--Shrug

by Shrug on Feb 1, 2007 4:52 PM PST up reply actions

I've got to go dig through my stocking stuff

I don't have time now as I'm just leaving, but I got a book for Christmas by Michael Lewis (author of Moneyball) about Football...it looks really interesting...I'll get the title for you some time later today...

by BrettJMiller on Jan 30, 2007 6:23 PM PST reply actions

I am dead

this is kind of a dull time for non- colts/bears fans.

I cant think of any books..im still trying to finish up the Hardball times anual for 2007.

Didn't Sando co-write a book with Raible about the Seahawks? I see the pic of it on his blog...sounds like it would be a solid read.

Josh Brown is better than you.

by MFAN on Jan 30, 2007 7:46 PM PST reply actions

Did you notice

Lookout Landing got a plug in the article about Win Expectancy?

Hey, if you didn't want to get your legs broken, pal, you never should have tried to do your job in the first place.

by Phil Hatzenbuehler on Jan 30, 2007 8:12 PM PST up reply actions

holy crap!

I didnt..thats awesome, I will check that when im reading tonight.

Josh Brown is better than you.

by MFAN on Jan 30, 2007 8:16 PM PST up reply actions

I have been looking at this

His book

http://www.thefootballscientist.com/

and I will probably pick the next annual that Football outsiders does.

I about gave Christian a heart attack

by Scruffy Lefty on Jan 30, 2007 7:49 PM PST reply actions

Oh and I think WCG

stole John Morgan

I about gave Christian a heart attack

by Scruffy Lefty on Jan 30, 2007 7:50 PM PST reply actions

Yeah, they doubled my pay.

But seriously, I'm a Hawk fan first and foremost--so you'll see plenty of my ramblings here soon enough. The truth is that between work, school, applying to other schools, this site, WCG and my own blog (which is, sadly, mostly drunken outbursts at this point) and writing a comic with my friend Matt...I figured this would be a good time to reduce my blogging here. Besides I don't really have much to say about the recent coach hirings, other than that Jim Mora Jr. gets a mulligan w/r/t Atlanta; Vick is a coach killer.

Eat Worms

by John Morgan on Jan 30, 2007 11:26 PM PST up reply actions

Well at least they let Barbaro finally die :)

Drunken Outbursts are the best

I about gave Christian a heart attack

by Scruffy Lefty on Jan 31, 2007 8:42 AM PST up reply actions

oh...

if anyone asks why Walter Jones is F*ing sav...just show them this play..

im not sure how to post videos, so i'll just post the URL
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=632608187

Josh Brown is better than you.

by MFAN on Jan 30, 2007 8:33 PM PST reply actions

God I love that play

Mike Rucker got destroyed

I about gave Christian a heart attack

by Scruffy Lefty on Jan 30, 2007 10:58 PM PST up reply actions

I did goto the Bears game and was almost...

beaten. It was hard to control myself at the game with 8 million people who wanted to kill me.

I own the back with Sando and Raible and it's a good toilet book. No real long stories to get into kinda frustrates me. Besides I am reading the Halo series right now....doy!

I think you are getting a little chainsaw happy! - Scruffy Lefty

by Christian on Jan 31, 2007 8:11 AM PST reply actions

What did you wear?

Hell if you could of gotten me your airfare price I would of went with you.

I about gave Christian a heart attack

by Scruffy Lefty on Jan 31, 2007 8:42 AM PST up reply actions

My attire

was a well thought out scheme.

Puma jogging pants. In case I needed to run from people.
Nike Shox. Because I feel quick when I run in them. Highly unlikely I really am.
Long sleeved camo insulated underwear. Bears are color blind to camo.
Josh Brown jersey. Because I thought he would be the MVP of the game.
My North Face coat because it was cold as hell!

I did not show the jersey all game and was waiting for the right time to let the coat just fall..and be prepared to run.

I think you are getting a little chainsaw happy! - Scruffy Lefty

by Christian on Jan 31, 2007 9:21 AM PST up reply actions