The Blind Side

I guess I never revealed what a Blind Side actually is. For some people it might make a lot of sense, others who have seen the film starring Sandra Bullock about Michael Oher might have an understanding. But to others new to the game of American football I thought I would clarify what a Blind Side or to be Blind Sided actually means.

The Blind Side actually is the area outside the quarterback's vision. This is supposedly the most dangerous place for a quarterback to receive a tackle or a sack from a defender because he never has the opportunity to see the pressure coming.

Specific players on the offensive line are used to protect this side for the quarterback and it is the position the Baltimore Raven's Michael Oher plays.

Anyway I hope explains the term the Blind Side.

The Quarterback Conundrum

Many American football fans are trying to answer the biggest question of all at the moment - which quarterback will go where.

At the end of the 2010-2011 season it was obvious to see that many teams needed to iron our creases they had in the quarterback department.

The Cardinals struggled to find a quarterback they could depend on since the departure of Kurt Warner. They had previously pinned hope in Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart but he is still trying to find his feet in the big time.

It was a similar scenario with the Minnesota Vikings. Brett Favre is now retired leaving a gaping hole in a once formidable offence. The Vikings took the opportunity in the draft to select Chris Ponder from Florida State, a huge risk in many critics eyes judging by past accuracy and poor decision making. Will the gamble pay off though, only time will tell.

Despite being selected as in the second round of the 2010 draft, the Panthers feel that Jimmy Clausen is not the leader they were originally looking for. Many believe that Clausen wasn't given a fair chance but others believe a poor 2-14 record suggests an inability at the top level. They expressed great interest in quarterback Cam Newton from Auburn with there No.1 pick of the 2011 draft and got their man. I expect to see a intense 

battle for the No.1 spot at Panthers for the coming seasons.

The Titans will also be looking for a reliable leader after a bad attitude and disputes among players and coaches led to the departure of Vince Young. Vince, who led the Titans to the ever so memorable victory below in 'that drive' will feature in the free agency.

In the draft the Titans did select Jake Locker out of Washington as the new face of their franchise but even he has a history of injuries due to the way he plays the game and his consistency is arguable.

Lastly the Redskins have joined the market after last years controversial headline hitting QB Donovan McNabb was benched because of a string of poor performances. Donovan was let go by the Eagles after 10 seasons and the decision came back to bite them hard after a deflating defeat of the 2010 season in week 4 of 17-12.

It was the Eagles that had the last laugh however when Michael Vick returned to find form and emphatically thump the Redskins 59-28 recording four passing touchdowns, and running in two himself.

For those who missed out in the draft the opportunity comes in the form of the free agency which is scheduled as soon as lockout issues have been resolved.

Cornish Shark gets chance to impress in America

A Cornish born teenager has won the opportunity of a lifetime with a scholarship at a prestigious American football college in the United States. 17 year old Ryan Girling said he was "so excited" and that it was "an opportunity he never thought he would get". Ryan will be spending the next 4 years at Graceland University, in Iowa chasing the gridiron dream.

Girling, who has only been playing the sport a year and a half, learnt to play American football under the guidance of head coach Brian Smallworth, head of the Cornish Sharks.

We wish Ryan the best of luck and hope that we get to see him in the Superbowl one day!

For more information please click the following link: Truro Teen Earns Scholarship

NFL International Series - The NFL comes to London again

Just a few weeks ago the latest schedule for the 2011-2012 NFL season was produced and like any fan I was as excited as ever.

Being English, the best news was the addition of the 5th international series match. Having been to two of the four previous matches I couldn't wait to find out the teams playing.

As the news were published I slowly scrolled down the schedule hoping to see what I wanted - the Eagles coming to London, but it wasn't to be.

Realistically I know it will never happen but you can only hope!

Instead it was the turn of the Chicago Bears, who made the playoffs last season with perrenial offensive powerhouse Devin Hester and previously erratic play caller Jay Cutler at hand.

The home team will be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, hosting for a second occasion. The Bucs narrowly missed out on the playoffs last season and after strengthening their weaknesses in the draft they look set to go a lot further setting up a superb mouth-watering match up. With so many teams in Florida it is a well known fact that teams such as the Bucs and Jaguars struggle to produce sell out crowds so the opportunity to play in front of a packed house at Wembley would have been a easy decision.

I have no doubt it will make great viewing. These matches are always crowd pleaser's as the American sport rapidly grows within the UK. Past players who have had the opportunity to play at Wembley have stated that they relished the occasion and the euphoric crowd reception that follows.

This years international match will be held on the 23rd October and I for one hope I have tickets.

Friday Night Lights: One night that matters.

It's been a big hit in the US for 5 seasons now and it's no wonder why. Gripping viewers from the start, Friday Night Lights follows a group of teenagers who live for the game of American football.

In a small town of Dillon, Texas where nothing else matters, the pressure on these boys is massive - and even that is an understatement. Dillon Panthers produces winners, and thats what the town expects.

Being teens however they have other issues, and other desires...

Unfortunately no longer on TV in the UK I highly recommend this series as a purchase!

Welcome...

Welcome American football fans to our new blog!

We hope to bring you all the latest news and hot topics in American football. So let's get that pigskin spiraling!

We hope you enjoy our discussions and English views on the game. I am an Eagles fan myself but am relatively new to the sport. It is a great interest of mine and I literally can't wait for the new NFL season to start. I wish it was a more popular sport over here!

Well, I'll try not to be too biased, and please don't hesitate to give me hopefully encouraging feedback!