Robin Renay and her husband that “49er Fan”.
By Robin Renay
It was Monday morning, the kids were in school, and I had just finished the dreaded weekly grocery shopping. While putting away the mac and cheese in the cupboard, it hit me that Monday Night football was on tonight, and that meant that my one and only was no doubt going to watch the game. After I had made a point to watch the last 49er game with him, I had found myself wanting to watch another and learn even more about football.
Immediately, I realized that if I was to truly enjoy the game, than I was in need of a crash course of the sport so many Americans love. I retreated to the computer and began my research. I typed in football lingo and instantly “Football For Dummies,” by Howie Long and John Czarnecki came up.
“Ha! Look at that! There is a Football for Dummies, and it is written by none other than Howie Long,” I found myself saying out loud with a chuckle. (What woman wasn’t a closet Raider fan during the Howie Long era? I most certainly was!)
The article was very informative and gave descriptions of the different positions, basic football terms, and common penalties for the game. I read over the article, already knowing most of the different positions, and I was proud to even know the majority of the basic football terms that were listed. I gave myself a pat on the back, because I was even aware of the common penalties, at least I had heard them plenty of times from the ref as he threw the little yellow flag from his pocket.
But hands down the best information I was able to obtain was from none other than my hubby himself. I decided to pick his brain for lingo the guys themselves throw back and forth to each other. As we watched the game together, I asked him to explain to me things that I might not know about the game.
“Sure,” he replied, looking happy that I had asked him. The following is what I now can say I know about the game.
For starters, a “blitz” is when the coach decides to send an extra pass rusher. For example, there can be a corner blitz, which means that the cornerback, who usually covers a receiver, will rush the quarterback instead.
“Spearing” is another term that you may hear while watching the game, ladies. That is bad, because it means that the player made the tackle with his helmet and hit the other player head on. This, I was informed was against the rules, due to the serious injury it can cause.
Another term used during the game is “stunts”. This happens when a defensive tackle will start by going to the left and then to the right, and maybe even circle around another defensive player, until all of a sudden he will rush up and try to fake out the offensive line. I have to admit, that I will be watching for a stunt, just because it sounds a bit entertaining.
A “fly pattern” is also something useful to know about. It is when the receiver goes deep and runs as far as he can down the field, hoping like heck the quarterback is able to get the ball to him. This makes for an exciting play, especially when it works.
Finally, I learned about the “4-3 defense” and the “3-4 defenses”. As my husband sat and explained this concept to me I must have looked like a deer staring straight into oncoming headlights. I will keep the explanation as simple as possible. The 4-3 defense is when there are 4 down lineman (who rush the QB) and 3 linebackers. So as you can imagine the 3-4 defense is simply reverse, with 3 down lineman and 4 linebackers. After this was explained to me, I looked up at the TV and sure enough, I was able to spot the 4 big guys lined up, with 3 more just behind them. “I see it,” I exclaimed, all proud of myself.
Lastly, my hubby decided to demonstrate just how complicated football can be, when he began to fill my head with the terms such as, “Sam linebacker”, “Mike linebacker”, and “Will linebacker”.
“What the heck, is that all about,” I asked him. “Are those linebackers named after important guys?”
“No,” he laughed at me. He began to explain that the Sam linebacker is a linebacker on the strong side of the field. The Mike linebacker is the middle linebacker, and the Will linebacker is the one on the weak side of the field.
You can only imagine the confused look on my face, while I sat trying to comprehend this information and how it pertained to what always looks to me like just a bunch of guys trying their hardest to hit the guy in front of him so hard that he will see stars clear into the next week.
My loving husband went on to explain to me that it was all about the number of players. For example, the strong side of the field is where the offensive team has more of its players.
I had decided that I had learned enough for one evening, and finished watching the Monday night game, with the Saints destroying the Dolphins with a win of 38 to 17.
Ladies, after reading this article, please use it to your advantage, and surprise the heck out of your man, by using some of the lingo, while you watch a game with him. You can also do what I did, and ask your husband/boyfriend to educate you more on the game. I found that my man was more than eager to explain the game to me; maybe yours will too.
Gentlemen, for those of you who are tired of hearing your significant other grumble when she spies you sitting in front of the TV, watching the game, feel free to somehow get this article to her, so that she may begin to take an interest in the game you love so much. For example, you could leave Midvalleysports.com open on the home PC, or you could “accidently” send her the link on her smart phone.
Once, your lady starts to take an interest in football, than you will have a “win-win” situation. For as they say, “A happy wife makes a happy life”!
To both the ladies and the gents…enjoy week 5 of the NFL season!
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