Football Done Right

Key Takeaways

1. The "White Oaks" of Football: Coaches Who Revolutionized the Game

"Innovation involves anticipation. It is having a broad base of knowledge on your subject and an ability to see where the end game is headed. Use all your knowledge to get there first. Set the trend and make the competition counter you."

Revolutionary coaches. Five coaches planted the roots of modern football with their ingenuity and willingness to challenge the status quo. These "White Oaks" include:

1. Colonel Earl "Red" Blaik: Introduced detailed fundamentals and film study
2. Clark Shaughnessy: Popularized the T formation, making the quarterback crucial
3. Paul Brown: Developed organizational methods and player evaluation systems
4. Sid Gillman: Advanced the passing game and screen pass concepts
5. Bill Walsh: Created the West Coast offense and scripted play-calling

These coaches transformed football from a game of brute force to a sophisticated chess match on grass. Their innovative approaches to strategy, player development, and organizational structure laid the foundation for the modern NFL.

2. Evaluating Greatness: The Lombardi Criteria for Hall of Fame Coaches

"Football is a game of errors. The team that makes the fewest errors in a game usually wins."

Objective criteria. To address the subjective nature of Hall of Fame selection, the book proposes the "Lombardi Criteria" for coaches:

1. 200+ regular season wins: Automatic qualification
2. 3+ NFL titles or Super Bowl wins
3. 2+ titles with a 55%+ win rate
4. 62%+ win rate over 200+ games or 60%+ playoff appearance rate
5. Game-changing impact on football strategy or development

These criteria aim to provide a more objective basis for evaluating coaching greatness, considering factors such as longevity, championship success, and innovative contributions to the game.

3. Television's Impact: How Cosell, Musburger, and Madden Transformed Football

"What's right isn't always popular. What's popular isn't always right."

Media revolutionaries. Three broadcasters played pivotal roles in elevating football's popularity:

1. Howard Cosell: Brought sophistication and controversy to Monday Night Football
2. Brent Musburger: Pioneered live pregame shows and comprehensive coverage
3. John Madden: Provided accessible analysis and infectious enthusiasm

• Cosell's highlights package became must-see TV
• Musburger's NFL Today became essential for fans and gamblers
• Madden's everyman appeal and video game franchise expanded football's reach

These broadcasters made football more accessible, exciting, and engaging for a national audience, helping it surpass baseball as "America's Game."

4. The Evolution of the NFL Draft: From Coin Flips to War Rooms

"When forming a team, seek character, not characters."

Draft development. The NFL draft has evolved significantly since its inception in 1936:

• Originally created to prevent bidding wars and promote competitive balance
• Became a televised event in 1980 through ESPN
• Transformed into a multi-day spectacle and major offseason event

War room dynamics. Modern draft rooms involve:

• Extensive scouting reports and player evaluations
• Vertical (position) and horizontal (overall talent) draft boards
• Intense debates over player rankings and team needs

The draft has become a crucial aspect of team-building strategy, with successful drafting often correlating with on-field success.

5. The Art of the Trade: Desperation, Love, and Getting Players Out

"Identical information can lead to opposite conclusions based on relative perceptions of its receivers."

Trade motivations. NFL trades are often driven by three main factors:

1. Desperation: Teams make rash decisions due to immediate needs
2. Love: Executives become enamored with specific players
3. Removal: Organizations seek to part ways with problematic players

Examples:

• The "Lawrence Welk Trade": Packers overpaid for aging QB John Hadl
• Herschel Walker trade: Cowboys capitalized on Vikings' desperation
• Trent Richardson trade: Browns recognized limitations early and capitalized

Successful trades require understanding market dynamics, player value, and organizational needs while avoiding emotional decision-making.

6. Ranking the Elite: The Top 100 Players in NFL History

"Great men are not born great, they grow great…"

Tiered rankings. The book categorizes the top 100 players into five levels:

1. The Everlasting (100-81)
2. The Excellent (80-61)
3. The Exceptional (60-41)
4. The Extraordinary (40-26)
5. The Elite (25-1)

Key factors in rankings:

• On-field production and impact
• Longevity and consistency
• Influence on the game's evolution
• Championship success

Notable inclusions:

• Jerry Rice, Jim Brown, and Lawrence Taylor in the top 5
• Debates over players like Barry Sanders, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady

The rankings aim to provide a comprehensive look at the greatest players while acknowledging the challenges of comparing across eras and positions.

7. Quarterback Legends: Montana, Manning, and Staubach's Lasting Impact

"Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out."

QB excellence. Three quarterbacks exemplify different aspects of greatness:

1. Joe Montana: Master of Bill Walsh's West Coast offense

2. Peyton Manning: Football's on-field chess master

3. Roger Staubach: The original "Mr. Clutch"

These quarterbacks not only achieved individual success but also elevated their teams and influenced offensive strategy for generations to come.

8. Defensive Dominance: From Dick Butkus to Deacon Jones

"He tried to put you in the cemetery, not the hospital."

Defensive icons. Two players revolutionized defensive play:

1. Dick Butkus: The ultimate middle linebacker

2. Deacon Jones: Pass-rushing pioneer

Impact:

• Butkus set the standard for middle linebacker play
• Jones made pass-rushing a crucial aspect of defense
• Both players forced offenses to adapt their strategies

Their dominant play and lasting influence cement their places among the greatest defenders in NFL history.

9. Game-Changing Skill Players: Barry Sanders and Don Hutson's Legacies

"For the first ten years, we generated more money for NFL properties than anyone else."

Revolutionary talents. Two skill position players redefined their roles:

1. Barry Sanders: Elusive running back extraordinaire

2. Don Hutson: The NFL's first true wide receiver star

Impact:

• Sanders inspired a generation of running backs and highlight-reel plays
• Hutson's success led to increased emphasis on the passing game

Both players demonstrated how individual talent could transcend traditional offensive approaches and force defenses to adapt, paving the way for the modern, pass-heavy NFL.

Last updated: September 11, 2024

Report Issue