The Blockbuster and The Beautiful

The DeWolfe Music Library Record “Man of the Moment” describes the songs on the record as “Large modern orchestral pieces for titles, industry, achievement etc.”

“Blockbuster” was composed by Simon Park; author of countless signature tracks used in NFL Films.  I always hear John Facenda say “The Broncos needed more restoration work from Norris Weese….What it got instead was a demolition job from the Doomsday Defense”  followed by the ambush on Denver Broncos quarterbacks Craig Morton and Norris Weese, in the Super Bowl XII film. To me, it’s the signature track for the Doomsday Defense.  Steelers fans may disagree, as it was used in the “Super 70’s” film showcasing the Steel Curtain defense. Whilst compiling footage of the second incarnation of Doomsday Defense aka “La Defensiva del Juicio Final” (“Judgment Day Defense”),  I marveled at the pass rush.  The Flex Defense was designed to stop the run,  in 1977 it was more effective in its pass defense, as the second rated pass defense behind the Falcons’ “Grits Blitz”.  Doomsday yielded 5 more touchdowns through the air than did Grits Blitz.  However, Dallas had 11 more sacks than Atlanta.  Lead by “Beautiful” Harvey Martin who was unstoppable with 23 sacks in 14 games. This 1977 performance to me is one of the single greatest defensive achievements.  23 sacks in 14 games in a league that passed with far less frequency than today’s aerial attacks. The Hall of Fame needs to open the doors for Martin, who was 1977 Defensive Player of the Year and Co-MVP of the Super Bowl. Harvey Martin shared Super Bowl honors with the unblockable  Randy White.  Again, a John Facenda quote; “While some men are built like mountains, precious few can move them.  Randy White is a man mountain and quite simply the finest defensive tackle in the game.”
White was dubbed the “Manster” by his teammates, either way White was truly a blockbuster, sometimes getting tripled teamed allowing Harvey Martin to topple opposing quarterbacks.  The video I assembled of clips from 1977, featuring Martin and White, with assorted clips of Too Tall and Hollywood, shows how ferocious the 1977 Cowboys were.  Enjoy:

B17 Bomber Presents: Wildcard Mix

Lions And Christians And Cowboys

I had intended to somehow tie together the three subjects in the title of this entry, only to realize, it’s all an excuse to post a short clip of Drew Pearson catching a short touchdown pass from Danny White in 1981.

I had tried to construct something like this: Philistine and place kicker for the Detroit Lions, Eddie Murray, kicked a game winning field goal against the Dallas Cowboys, in 1981.  The Cowboys/Christians almost ran the Lions out of the Silverdome/Coliseum, building up a large lead early.  The Lions, showing a lot of pride, came back to win. The referees (Romans) missed that the Lions had 12 men on the field, as Murray booted the winning field goal.  That loss essentially cost the Cowboys home field advantage in the playoffs.  They would eventually fall victim to the the 49ers of Bill Walsh, Joe Montana, Dwight Clark and Eric Wright(‘s fingertips), in Candlestick Park, in the NFC title game.

Eddie Murray would make up for his previous sins against the Cowboys, joining the team late in his career.  He subsequently had his best season, kicking 3 field goals in Super Bowl XXVIII helping Dallas to their fourth title.  It took just a quick re-read to realize the absurdity of my allusions.

The Cowboys and the Lions will square off on Sunday, in Jerry World.  I thought back to this clip from 1981, Drew Pearson scores what appears to be one of the easiest, stroll in the park touchdowns ever, against the Lions. I added Beverly Hermann’s track “The Big One” to the video.  This track plays in my head probably more than I should admit to. More on Beverly Hermann in the coming weeks. Without further ado:

White Pumas

White Pumas, it started it all… brand visibility, and in a way- individual expression by NFL Players.  Broadway Joe and his cool white Pumas. Heretofore, in 1967, the only thing that differentiated football cleats was whether a player’s cleats were high top or low top black leather cleats. Many purists and old fashioned players and coaches were put off by this flamboyance.  Old versus new, Black high tops and a crew cut versus white Pumas and sideburns. So started brand visibility in the NFL.

The irony, forty something years later, white Pumas and the Puma logo are not allowed to be displayed on the NFL field.  Any player wearing Pumas must cover the logo because Puma doesn’t have a license with the NFL.  The NFL will strictly enforce and punish any transgression or violation by a player.  Yes, someone actually is paid to look for such things.  It holds true for headphones as well.  Any player wearing headphones, whilst warming up, that are not Bose headphones, will be fined. The NFL’s vigilance in these matters are Batman-like.  We can rest well at night, knowing our Roger Goodell and his cronies will protect our eyes from such things as unlicensed apparel.  Heaven forbid.  Compared to their handling of domestic violence and child abuse, the NFL will protect its business partners, such as Nike and Bose, with swift and harsh punishment.  I wish Jim McMahon were around today. His protest or needling of, then NFL commissioner, Pete Rozelle was brilliant.  Fined for wearing an Adidas headband, McMahon branded his own, which he was fined for as well:

Funny how things have changed, no one wears nameless faceless cleats any longer… unless they are unlicensed. Cheers, and thanks for reading.

Thanksgiving Memories

For many moons, I have wanted to start a blog to share my thoughts on various subjects, but mostly about football.  When I got to the heart of the matter I found myself stuck on what I would call this place.  Ultimately, I settled on “Multiple Offense”- a nod to the name of the offense Tom Landry ran.  I decided I would share my thoughts on football, music, and films, through short videos and half baked ideas. I found myself at a loss when I set out to light the internets afire with my first blog attempt.  So let me cite these short clips to illuminate the feeling I’m going after.
I wanted to roll up on the scene in a manner such as:

 

and once on the scene, if I may quote the Wu-Tang Clan…”allow me to demonstrate the skill of Shaolin”:

 

Seeing that Thanksgiving is tomorrow,  I thought I’d share some memories of football on Thanksgiving.

I’ll start with one of my all time favorite players, Billy Sims. Here is a former Heisman Trophy winner blowing up the spot on Thanksgiving. Sims was an incredible talent, to say the least.  He made the Pro Bowl each of his first three seasons.  On his way to Canton, he blew he knee out.  It’s a shame, we were robbed of highlights such as:

As you will notice, I am a Dallas Cowboy fan.  Ever since I witnessed Super Bowl 12, age 6, with my cousin (once a ‘boys fan, now a New England Patriots fan, smh), I’ve been on  board.  I often wondered what the hell #18 was there for? a professional clipboard holder. I would see this guy standing next to Tom Landry and wonder “who the hell is this cat ?”

 

Glenn Carano- enigma to me as a 7 year old football enthusiast.  If the backup qb is the most popular guy in town, what does that make the 3rd stringer?  I found out on Thanksgiving day 1980.  Carano (now backup to Danny White) ultimately lead the Cowboys to victory.  The Cowboys were heavy favorites that day, but only won 10-9.  What I remember from that game was Doug Plank absolutely crushing Glenn Carano, as he did to so many.  I used a sound effect from the classic movie “Drunken Monkey and Cripple Fist” The sound is that of a man running head first through a brick wall.  I feel this sound clip aptly complements the video.

Another Heisman/Thanksgiving clip featuring Mike Rozier.  Mike Rozier was hardly ever healthy in the pros.  He played on one of the greatest offenses in college football history, after a short stint in the USFL Rozier was picked up by the Houston Oilers. His best years came in 1988, in which he ran for 1,002 yards and scored 11 touchdowns  The Oilers would run a direct snap to the halfback in shotgun formation. Running behind a great offensive line featuring Bruce Matthews, Mike Muchak, and former Nebraska Corn Husker Dean Steinkuhler.   Rozier scored on a 12 yard run on a direct snap play, on Thanksgiving day, 1988.

Finally a clip featuring current Cowboys Head Coach, Jason Garrett. For many years our family would travel south to Connecticut and have Thanksgiving dinner with my step father’s sister, Lucille.  It was a true Italian feast.  The turkey was an after thought.  Home-made ravioli and meatballs were my favorite.  In 1994 I remember feasting on the aforementioned italian cuisine, and biting my tongue at the same time.  We always watched football as dinner was served, and this year I watched Cowboys’ starter Rodney Peete get injured (Troy Aikman was injured and did not start or play).  Untested Jason Garrett was thrown into the frying pan.  It was not a good first half for Dallas, down 17-6 at the break. Garrett did his best impression of Clint Longley, leading Dallas to a 42- 31 victory over Brett Favre and the Packers.  Recalling these memories, I’m reminded of the time shared with friends and family.  I think of the close ones who are no longer close, sometimes from death and sometimes from complicated circumstances.  One thing that is not complicated: what this holiday is about- giving thanks.  I’m thankful for all that I have and these memories.  Happy Thanksgiving.