NFL's Top 10: Football Myths

[Jumiah]

On NFL Network's Top 10, a couple weeks ago I think, they had the top 10 football myths. Here is the list:

10. Tackle stats are not accurate
9. QB's need a rocket arm to be successful
8. Teams should punt on 4th down
7. Turnovers matter
6. You need to run to set up the pass
5. Icing the kicker works
4. Dome teams are soft
3. Defense wins championships
2. It is next to impossible to repeat as champions
1. The prevent defense does not work

I agree with this list completely except for #7, "turnovers matter". An INT or fumble swings momentum and can be an emotional lift.

A lot of people may disagree with #3, "defense wins championships" but I couldn't agree more as this is the most overhyped and off-base comment used by fans.

[sandiegojoe]

8. Teams should punt on 4th down


Reminds me of the story earlier this year about the high school coach who never punts.

http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=892888

As a result, his 2008 team did not punt during 14 games. Such an unorthodox strategy may seem like lunacy, but it was successful: Pulaski won the 5A state title on Dec. 6.

Kelley's team only punted twice in 2007 − once as an act of sportsmanship to prevent running up the score − and never after that Dollarway game.

Kelley has reasons to go for it.

Keeping the offense on the field on fourth down allows for more creative play-calling. Third-and-long does not have to be a passing down. The Little Rock school can run the ball, throw a screen pass or use any number of formations. Defenses do not know whether to use a nickel or dime defense. And Pulaski's offense has less pressure on third down.

[bruin4life]

Reminds me of the story earlier this year about the high school coach who never punts.

http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=892888

hs teams are not a good indication as to what truely works often times there's an enormous gap in talent between teams. in hs beaumont ran some bs plays one year but they had a future pro rb. those same plays didn't do squat when the kid was gone

[BrentJones84]

10. Tackle stats are not accurate
-True. A tackle after the 1st down was made isn't as valuable as a tackle that prevents the 1st down. Sometimes it just means the guy in front of you failed to make the stop.

9. QB's need a rocket arm to be successful
-True, see any team that uses any variation of a WCO

8. Teams should punt on 4th down
- I agree too many teams punt when they shouldn't. Sure, punting is important, but it doesn't have to be every single 4th down.

7. Turnovers matter
- Disagree. Turnovers tend to be huge. Winning teams almost always have a positive net turn over/take away total. Losing teams almost are always in the negative.

6. You need to run to set up the pass
-True. Passing sets up the run just as much.

5. Icing the kicker works
- I once read some kickers prefer to be "iced" because it gives them more time to evaluate the field, wind, etc.

4. Dome teams are soft
- No, just domes themselves. :laugh: Give me a mudd bowl in the rain anytime.

3. Defense wins championships
- Often the case, but not always.

2. It is next to impossible to repeat as champions
- Difficult true, but not impossible. See the Patriots.

1. The prevent defense does not work
- It may work, but it still often comes looking like a bad idea.

[Jumiah]

2. It is next to impossible to repeat as champions - Difficult true, but not impossible. See the Patriots.

Actually almost half the SB winners went on to win again the next season. Going back-to-back is quite common in the NFL. 3-peating better fits as next to impossible.

[Jumiah]

I'd also like to add the Wildcat formation to the list of myths. That formation worked for all of 3 plays against NE on one Sunday. This formation is waaay overhyped, especially when people talk about drafting or obtaining a player just for the Wildcat.

[Eagleholic]

On NFL Network's Top 10, a couple weeks ago I
8. Teams should punt on 4th down

A lot of people may disagree with #3, "defense wins championships" but I couldn't agree more as this is the most overhyped and off-base comment used by fans.

Look what happened during the Pats undefeated season. They went for it on 4th down a lot.

I agree defense will HELP you win a championship, but it is an over-hyped statement. Look at the NFC and AFC title games last year. The top three defenses in the league were playing in them.

[bigPaco80]

A lot of people may disagree with #3, "defense wins championships" but I couldn't agree more as this is the most overhyped and off-base comment used by fans.

So its overrated to set your offense up with good field position? or what about just getting the O the ball back that is that overrated too?

[JtoNic16]

10. Tackle stats are not accurate
-True. A tackle after the 1st down was made isn't as valuable as a tackle that prevents the 1st down. Sometimes it just means the guy in front of you failed to make the stop.

9. QB's need a rocket arm to be successful
-True, see any team that uses any variation of a WCO

8. Teams should punt on 4th down
- I agree too many teams punt when they shouldn't. Sure, punting is important, but it doesn't have to be every single 4th down.

7. Turnovers matter
- Disagree. Turnovers tend to be huge. Winning teams almost always have a positive net turn over/take away total. Losing teams almost are always in the negative.

6. You need to run to set up the pass
-True. Passing sets up the run just as much.

5. Icing the kicker works
- I once read some kickers prefer to be "iced" because it gives them more time to evaluate the field, wind, etc.

4. Dome teams are soft
- No, just domes themselves. :laugh: Give me a mudd bowl in the rain anytime.

3. Defense wins championships
- Often the case, but not always.

2. It is next to impossible to repeat as champions
- Difficult true, but not impossible. See the 49ers.

1. The prevent defense does not work
- It may work, but it still often comes looking like a bad idea.

Fixed :dance2:

[BrentJones84]

Actually almost half the SB winners went on to win again the next season. Going back-to-back is quite common in the NFL. 3-peating better fits as next to impossible.

If I recall, the myth is only because of the salary cap, and thus the myth doesn't apply to the 70's Steelers, 80's 49ers, etc.

But still, the Pats have proven it can be done, even with all the more modern rules.

[loren]

I agree with this list completely except for #7, "turnovers matter". An INT or fumble swings momentum and can be an emotional lift.



SF gave up 6 turn-overs against Dallas in 1981.

[Jumiah]

So its overrated to set your offense up with good field position? or what about just getting the O the ball back that is that overrated too?

Yes and yes.

What good is field position if you can't score?

Last I checked, you need defense, offense, and preferably a good special teams and coaching and veteran leadership to win a championship.

[Jumiah]

SF gave up 6 turn-overs against Dallas in 1981.

And the biggest turnover was commited by Dallas to end/seal the game :)

[Monster49er]

If Alex Smith starts, we might as well punt on 1st down :chickendance:

[loren]

And the biggest turnover was commited by Dallas to end/seal the game :)

touche'

[ninerswin]

If Alex Smith starts, we might as well punt on 1st down :chickendance:
Sad to say, but the punt was our best play a few years back. With Andy Lee's booming punts, we were almost guaranteed to pin the other team way back, and sometimes, we could recover the ball deep if they muff the punt.

Let's hope our QBs do better this year, and we won't have to count on our punting as much.

[NyNinerFan]

A lot of people may disagree with #3, "defense wins championships" but I couldn't agree more as this is the most overhyped and off-base comment used by fans.

so so true..

it's almost like an easy, lazy way for someone who doesn't know enough about the game to try and sound smart.. i cringe every time i keep hearing people say this

[NyNinerFan]

So its overrated to set your offense up with good field position? or what about just getting the O the ball back that is that overrated too?

no.. none of that is overrated, but on the same token, is scoring TD's on your first two drives helping your defense?? is that overrated? getting your D on the field with a two score advantage... many many championship teams have done this, and then because it makes defense so much easier to play, the response is "but but.. the DEFENSE is what won the Colts the championship"..

[NyNinerFan]

Yes and yes.

What good is field position if you can't score?

Last I checked, you need defense, offense, and preferably a good special teams and coaching and veteran leadership to win a championship.

:thumbsup:

[ninersfan68]

On NFL Network's Top 10, a couple weeks ago I think, they had the top 10 football myths. Here is the list:

10. Tackle stats are not accurate
9. QB's need a rocket arm to be successful
8. Teams should punt on 4th down
7. Turnovers matter
6. You need to run to set up the pass
5. Icing the kicker works
4. Dome teams are soft
3. Defense wins championships
2. It is next to impossible to repeat as champions
1. The prevent defense does not work

I agree with this list completely except for #7, "turnovers matter". An INT or fumble swings momentum and can be an emotional lift.

A lot of people may disagree with #3, "defense wins championships" but I couldn't agree more as this is the most overhyped and off-base comment used by fans.

Ive never heard anyone say a QB has to have a rocket arm to be sucessfull....
I mean sure it is nice