Nice Find:NFL Team Name Origins

Take a look through this page on RootZoo.  It’s a collection of team name origins for the NFL franchises.

 

NFL Team Name Origins – RootZoo Sports Articles.

Nice Find: CFBStats.com – Hard to Find College Football Stats

If you’re a die hard NCAA fan or if you have a keen eye for the NFL Draft, you may have noticed the lack of statistics websites dedicated to the college game.  For sites that have good offensive statistics (ESPN, for example) defensive statistics are non-existant.  The NCAA.com stat charts are difficult to navigate and are user un-friendly when you can finally find them.

The other day when working on my first NFL Draft lead-up, I came across a site I wish I found years ago: cfbstats.com.

The sheer amount of statistical analysis that can be done using cfbstats.com is exhaustive.  I’m sure I haven’t even scratched the surface yet.  So, you’re a Cincinatti fan and want to take a closer look at backup QB Chazz Anderson’s stats.  You can find that he’s averaging 13.3 yards rushing per game or that he’s just 2-6 for 12 yards in the Red Zone; useless stats for many, but entirely important to others.  The game logs and situational stats are a must for any writter, blogger or any bar bet.

Considering the dearth of quality stat websites, cfbstats.com amazes me.  Honestly, I would love to know how the site’s author compiles all the information, but I’m sure that’s a trade secret they would rather keep quiet.  Take a few minutes to go peruse the site and definitely bookmark it for next season when you need some stat help.

Lance Guidry’s Pre-Game Bowl Speech

If you didn’t watch the GoDaddy.com Bowl last night, you missed three things: 1) the complete implosion of MTSU QB Dwight Dashser, 2) a very good game for 45 minutes, 3) one of the best pre-game peptalks I’ve ever heard by interim coach Lance Guidry.

Guidry, the Hawks DB coach in 2009 and 2010, got the gig after Mike Haywood jumped to take the Pitt job (he’s since been fired for off-the field issues).  Guidry also coached at his alma mater, McNeese State and at the high school level.  I’m not sure winning one bowl game against a Sun Belt opponent warrants a head coaching job, but I hope the new coach, Don Treadwell (former OC at Michigan State) gives him a spot on his staff.  Guidry showed he is a good motivator and can get the most out of his players.  In 2010, Miami’s overall pass defense was ranked 57th (higher than Michigan State, and other bowl teams) and they were ranked 34th in terms of completion percentage.

Guidry may not be a sexy pick for a promotion, but I think he should be given the shot.  Give him a defensive coordinator position (even at the FCS level, maybe back at McNeese State) and see if he can prosper.  My bet is he can.

From: First Up » Video: Lance Guidry’s GoDaddy.com Bowl speech | Cincinnati Enquirer | Cincinnati.Com.

Nice Find: The Helmet Project

If you’re a football fan(atic), chances are you have a favorite team or two that you live and die by.  For me, it’s the Cowboys and Michigan Wolverines.  I guess I also have to throw in Rutgers now that I have season tickets (figures, my first year is the first in years they finish sub-.500).

If you’re interested in your team’s history, I suggest taking a look at “The Helmet Project“.  The site describes itself as the “atlas of football helmets” but I would go even further.  In my eyes, it’s an encyclopedia of football’s history.  You can see the evolution of the logos and uniforms which, in many cases, is telling of the team’s on- and off-field history.

I may delve deeper into the idea than you care, so I’ll apologize in advance and urge you to go take a look for yourself.  Find a few of your own, and report back.  For everybody else who will espouse my desire to ramble about football history, thanks.

Nice Find: Madden 11 Team Ratings

Browsing the web this morning, I came across this gem from ESPN’s video game department.  Looks like EA and ESPN have a nice relationship going.  If you do some searching, you can also find some individual player ratings for some teams.  No real surprises in the rankings, everybody is about where I would expect them.  Take a look and mark your calendar!

NFC East

# Dallas Cowboys: 87

# NY Giants: 81

# Philadelphia Eagles: 80

# Washington Redskins: 76

NFC North

# Minnesota Vikings: 88

# Green Bay Packers: 87

# Chicago Bears: 77

# Detroit Lions: 68

NFC South

# New Orleans Saints: 92

# Atlanta Falcons: 83

# Carolina Panthers: 75

# Tama Bay Buccaneers: 69

NFC West

# Arizona Cardinals: 79

# San Francisco 49ers: 79

# Seattle Seahawks: 75

# St. Louis Rams: 66

AFC East

# NY Jets: 89

# New England Patriots: 86

# Miami Dolphins: 78

# Buffalo Bills: 67

AFC North

# Baltimore Ravens: 90

# Cincinnati Bengals: 86

# Pittsburgh Steelers: 84

# Cleveland Browns: 70

AFC South

# Indianapolis Colts: 91

# Houston Texans: 78

# Tennessee Titans: 77

# Jacksonville Jaguars: 74

AFC West

# San Diego Chargers: 85

# Denver Broncos: 78

# Kansas City Chiefs: 71

# Oakland Raiders: 71

via Video Games — ‘Madden NFL 11′ team ratings revealed – ESPN.