Throwback Thursday: Two Geniuses And A Ballboy

This Flicker was originally posted 4/11/13. 

As with the lack of respect shown to any high school substitute teacher, the New York Giants assistant coach had no hope of bringing the team's offensive meeting room to order. But when the bespectacled offensive coach entered the room and simply cleared his throat, all fell silent.

     Pat Summerall leaned over to Don Heinrich and asked, "Who the hell is that?"
     "That's Lombardi," Heinrich replied, "and you'll know soon enough."

It's amazing now that there was a time when Vince Lombardi was an unknown offensive coach. That was the case in his 1958 introduction to Summerall. Lombardi would be called an offensive coordinator today. Even more amazing is that the Giants unknown defensive coach then was Tom Landry. Lombardi and Landry are football coaching icons. Thinking of them as unknown assistant coaches is like thinking of Bill Walsh as Paul Brown's slappy in Cincinnati and Bill Belichick as Ted Marchibroda's gofer in Baltimore. It just doesn't feel right.

1956-63 is considered the "golden years" of New York Giants football. They won it all in 1956. They played for it all in five of the six seasons from 1958-63. Only missing the title game in 1960. Jim Lee Howell was the head coach. He'd be the first to admit that Lombardi and Landry were the ones that actually coached the players. It's impossible to imagine a head coach today giving the freedoms to his assistants that Howell easily gave his brilliant assistant coaches. He never felt threatened by them and constantly acknowledged their skills and where the credit belongs. In fact, the head coach claimed that he was only there to make sure that the footballs were properly inflated. Howell was hired as head coach in 1954. He had the difficult task of replacing his own coach, the legendary Steve Owen. Tom Landry was already there as a player/coach but was made a full-time coach. Howell's first external hire was grabbing Vince Lombardi from Red Blaik's Army team. Howell's first order of business for his coaches was to catch the Cleveland Browns. Paul Brown's Browns were the NFL's dominant team as soon as they joined the NFL, after the folding of the All-America Football Conference, in 1950. The new kids on the block were the best kids on the block. The Browns played in every NFL title game from 1950-55. They won championships in 1950, '54, and '55. The schemes developed by Lombardi and Landry were done with the Browns in mind. Being in the same Eastern Conference, the Browns success was at the expense of the Giants success. The rivalry between the two teams became the NFL's best in the 1950's. It only took two years for the two Giants assistants to get past the Browns. They were helped by the retirement of Browns quarterback Otto Graham following the 1955 title game. Still, everything came together for the Giants in 1956. Frank Gifford was the perfect back for Lombardi's power sweep/option attack. Gifford was the NFL's MVP that season. Landry's defense, led by rookie middle linebacker Sam Huff, was brilliant. Landry's scheme and Huff's play was making a football-curious nation aware of this new "middle linebacker" position. For the first time in an NFL stadium there were chants of "defense,defense, defense...." The Giants were on top of the football world. The unknown assistant coaches were becoming known. Lombardi's last game with the Giants was the 1958 NFL Championship game against the Baltimore Colts, the "Greatest Game Ever Played." The Green Bay Packers grabbed him. After a decade of losing the Packers became the league’s dominant team in the 1960s. They lost the 1960 NFL title game to the Philadelphia Eagles. Lombardi promised his team that they’d never again lose a postseason game. They didn’t. His Packers won five titles in seven years, 1961-62 and 1965-67. Landry's last game with the Giants was the 1959 NFL Championship game, also against the Colts. The expansion Dallas Cowboys grabbed him. He became a fixture in Dallas for an amazing 29 years. His Cowboys won five Conference and two Super Bowl titles. The two unknown coaching assistants that shared the same sideline in New York in the 1950s were on opposite sidelines for two classic League Championship games a decade later. Lombardi won both. Howell retired following the 1960 season. Allie Sherman, who took over the offense from Lombardi, took over for Howell. The team that Howell, Lombardi, and Landry built played in three straight NFL Championship games from 1961-63. The Giants lost the first two to Lombardi's Packers.

There's no denying the football brilliance and historical significance of Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry. For nearly 35 years, one or both were cornerstones of the NFL. History has not been as kind to Jim Lee Howell. I've been guilty of too easily dismissing his importance to those great New York Giants teams. One of the most impressive aspects of Howell was that he simply didn't care if he got credit for the wins. He'd rather take the blame for a loss than take credit for a win. Fortunately, those Giants teams had far more wins than losses. Howell did far more than pump up the footballs. He should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame simply for managing the egos and demands of his assistant coaches. The ability of head coaches to manage and delegate authority is more appreciated today. Head coaches in the first half of the NFL's existence did much more scheming and teaching. With only a few coaches on a staff, they had to. Jim Lee Howell was one of the first, if not the first, head coaches to limit his duties to delegating and game managing. It was Howell that decided to send Pat Summerall out to kick about a 50-yard field goal against Cleveland in something of a blizzard in 1958. A field goal that Summerall made to force a playoff against the same Browns team a week later. A field goal that would eventually put them in the 1958 NFL Championship game. A field goal attempt that was strongly opposed by Lombardi and Landry.

Another Big Loss

Through five games of the 2023 NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings have suffered four frustrating losses on the field. They suffered another big loss yesterday when receiver Justin Jefferson was placed on injured reserve. In Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, he came out of a fourth quarter route limping. I suppose that it was hoped to be a tweak, twinge, or something minor. It was reportedly a hamstring issue. Those always seem to be troublesome rather than minor. He spent the rest of the game standing on the sideline. Kevin O’Connell said in yesterday’s press conference that Jefferson lobbied to get back in the game. So, the hope here was that the injury was actually minor. Maybe he could even play in Week 6 against the Chicago Bears. Well, yesterday brought the sad, frustrating news that the injury was significant enough that Jefferson will be placed on injured reserve. The disappointing start to the season just got even more disappointing. 

Justin Jefferson will miss, at least, the next four games. 

@ Chicago Bears

San Francisco 49ers

@ Green Bay Packers

@ Atlanta Falcons

I guess this is good news for the above four slappy teams. 

As disappointing as this news is, the most important thing is getting Jefferson back to full health. I assume that he’s going to attack his recovery just as he does everything else. Completely and fiercely. The training staff will probably be challenged with protecting Jefferson from himself.

With Jefferson’s move to injured reserve, the Vikings have three receivers on the active roster.

Jordan Addison

K.J. Osborn

Brandon Powell

There are four receivers on the practice squad. 

N’Keal Harry

Trishton Jackson

Lucky Jackson 

Thayer Thomas

N’Keal Harry has been a game day elevation to the active roster twice this season. That might make him the “next man up.” His size, 6’4”, is definitely a plus. 

Justin Jefferson has been the focus of the Vikings offense pretty much since he burst on the NFL scene in the third game of the 2020 season. He’s been remarkably durable. Even though opponents have often tried to get physical with him, perhaps even trying to knock him out of the game, he’s never missed a start. He’s rarely missed a snap. This is a very foreign situation for Jefferson. And the Vikings. Without his superstar receiver, Kirk Cousins will have to rely on his entire group of pass catchers. This is a huge opportunity for Jordan Addison. The rookie that doesn’t play like a rookie will have the light shining on him. Tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver can’t have passes slipping through their hands. That goes for running back Alexander Mattison as well. The Vikings have to stop giving games away and they have to do it without their best player for, at least, the next four weeks. 

Here’s to the quick and complete return to the field of Justin Jefferson.

Minnesota Vikings Week 5 Superlatives

It’s tough and frustrating to find superlatives after losses. The Minnesota Vikings keep finding new ways to lose close games. In Week 5, they again made one more mistake than they could handle and lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, 27-20. The Vikings had a chance. Like a pass through the hands of Cam Bynum and Alexander Mattison, that chance slipped away. Here are some of the players that did some good things in another disappointing loss. 

Offensive Player of the Game

Jordan Addison, WR

For the first time this season, a player other than Justin Jefferson is the Offensive Player of the Game. He hasn’t produced huge numbers through five games but Jordan Addison has been outstanding. He’s five games into his NFL career and he already plays like a seasoned veteran. The Vikings scored on theif first pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

For the game:

6 catches

64 yards

1 touchdown

With Justin Jefferson out for at least four games, Addison has the opportunity and the Vikings have a serious need for him to step and be much more than a promising rookie. 

Defensive Player of the Game

Danielle Hunter, OLB

Marcus Davenport, OLB

Despite giving up more points than the offense scored, the defense played well against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. It’s tough to pick a player that truly shined in this game but I’m liking what I’m seeing from the pass rushing tandem of Danielle Hunter and Marcus Davenport. An ankle injury had kept Davenport from the lineup for nearly all of the first three games. He’s made an impact in the past two games. Hunter has made an impact in all five games. The attention paid to the two has opened things up for the rest of the defensive front. I expect the Vikings defense to continue to improve. Hunter and Davenport will lead that improvement.

Special Teams Player of the Game

Josh Metellus

Ty Chandler

I was considering Greg Joseph for making all four of his kicking opportunities. I’m going with the tandem that headlined a successful fake punt. Fourth-and-two near midfield, Josh Metellus took a direct snap and handed to Ty Chandler. Chandler took off around the right end for 15 yards. First-and-10 at the Chiefs 33-yard line. Eight plays later, the Vikings had their first touchdown. 

Vikings - Chiefs

Once again, the Minnesota Vikings let a winnable game slip to defeat. This one to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Minnesota Vikings  20

Kansas City Chiefs 27

In four losses, the Vikings have done much more to lose those games than any of their opponents have done to win them. Not only did they lose a winnable game to the defending champs, the Vikings might’ve lost Justin Jefferson for some time to a hamstring injury. 

The Officiating?

Every NFL game has some questionable officiating. Judging the legality of every movement of a football game in real time is a very difficult job. Still, the Chiefs were handed some real gifts. At the end of the first half, Patrick Mahomes connected with Justin Watson for a 23-yard toe-tapper on the sideline. When Watson secured the ball, only one set of toes was still in contact with the turf. The play happened with 31 seconds remaining in the half so it went to review. With all replays showing that Watson had only one foot down when the catch was made, I was certain the review verdict would be “no catch.” Somehow, the catch was confirmed. I still don’t see it. The “gifted” completion was the big play that led to a half-ending, game-tying field goal. Even more mind-boggling was the officiating sequence that ended the Vikings best chance at a game-tying/game-winning opportunity. Down 27-20, 4th-and-12 at the Chiefs 24-yard line with 4:54 remaining, Kirk Cousins, under significant pressure, lofted a pass to Jordan Addison in the end zone. L’Jarius Sneed was flagged for his handsy coverage of Addison. After a brief officiating conference, the flag was picked up. I’ve yet to hear a reason. The pass wasn’t tipped. It was catchable as it landed not far from Addison and Sneed. I guess that the officials simply decided that the contact that at least one of them had seen wasn’t enough to merit a flag. Who knows? It looked to be as much interference as Harrison Smith committed on a game-changing play earlier in the game. The officiating really broke new ground when Sneed removed his helmet to plead his case. He should’ve been flagged as soon as he removed his helmet. Instead, an official could clearly be seen telling him to put his helmet back on. I guess Chiefs players get some concessions rather than penalties. Even if the officials picked up the flag for Sneed’s interference, they should’ve thrown a flag on the Chiefs pass rusher that had his hands up in the facemask of C.J. Ham. 

It’s easy to bitch about the officiating when a game doesn’t go as hoped. Most of those officiating issues wouldn’t have mattered if the Vikings had simply done simply things. Like Josh Oliver not fumbling on the first play of the game. At least it was the only turnover of the game. The Vikings have had at least two turnovers in each of the previous four games. Still, Oliver giving up the ball after a nice 15-yard gain was big. It blew up a nice start to the game and an opportunity to do more nice things from the 40-yard line. Instead the Chiefs grab the momentum with terrific field position. Nine plays and 45 yards later, the Chiefs have a 7-0 lead and the Vikings are playing catch-up again. 

It would’ve been a different game if Cam Bynum had timed his jump a bit better on a desperation heave from Mahomes early in the third quarter. Third-and-18 from his own 17-yard line, Mahomes just tossed the ball up for Watson (the supposed toe-tapper) and hoped. Bynum jumped early, the ball slipped through his fingers and into Watson’s hands. Instead of an easy interception, the Chiefs had a first-and-10 at the 50. Eight plays later, the Chiefs had a 20-13 lead. 

The Vikings answered with a three-and-out. It was their only punt of the game. 

The biggest missed opportunity came two plays before the Sneed-officiating fiasco. Perhaps for the first time this season, the Vikings had a screen pass set up beautifully for Alexander Mattison. 2nd-and-7 from the Chiefs 19-yard line, Cousins had attracted defenders to him and Mattison had space around him with blockers in place. The timing was perfect. The pass was perfect. It was going to be a touchdown. Mattison dropped the pass. There was still five minutes to play. A lot can happen in that time. It should’ve been 27-27 with five mixtures to play. Instead, the Vikings were still chasing the Chiefs.

At 1-4, the Vikings have already lost as many games as they lost all of last regular season. There were 11 one-score wins last season. There have been 4 one-score losses this season. All four losses have come against teams that made the playoffs last season. The losses have come against teams with a combined 14-4 record. Two of the losses have come against the teams that played in last year’s Super Bowl. It’s been a tough schedule but the Vikings been their own toughest opponent. They can’t seem to get out of their own way. They better find a way. That starts with the Chicago Bears next week. 

Hopefully, we’ll get some good news about Justin Jefferson’s injury. 

Flea Flicker Week 5 Predictions

It’s on to Week 5 and some bye weeks. Here are guesses at the games. 

Byes: Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kansas City Chiefs @ Minnesota Vikings

Pick: Vikings

Rematch of Super Bowl IV. Different outcome. Skol!

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Buffalo Bills

Pick: Bills

Another London game. The Jaguars are playing consecutive weeks in their home away from home. Despite that, the Bills are the home team. 

Houston Texans @ Atlanta Falcons

Pick: Texans

The young Texans have won two straight games and shown a spark.

Carolina Panthers @ Detroit Lions

Pick: Panthers

The Lions look past the winless Panthers. 

Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts

Pick: Colts

Just going with the home team.

New York Giants @ Miami Dolphins

Pick: Dolphins

The Dolphins rebound against the reeling Giants.

New Orleans Saints @ New England Patriots

Pick: Patriots

The Patriots three losses are to the Eagles, Dolphins, and Cowboys. The Saints feel like a breezy opponent compared to that gauntlet. 

Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Pick: Ravens

The Ravens continue their run through the AFC North.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Los Angeles Rams

Pick: Eagles

Rematch of the 1949 NFL Championship game. Same result.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Arizona Cardinals

Pick: Bengals

The Bengals must get the offense working.

New York Jets @ Denver Broncos

Pick: Jets

Can Zach Wilson play consecutive effective games?

Dallas Cowboys @ San Francisco 49ers

Pick: 49ers

If both play to their talents, this should be a fun game. 

Green Bay Packers @ Las Vegas Raiders

Pick: Packers

Rematch of Super Bowl II. Same result. 

Kansas City Chiefs All - Time Team

The Minnesota Vikings host the Kansas City Chiefs tomorrow. The Chiefs were an original member of the rival American Football League. Owner Lamar Hunt had spent years trying to get an NFL team. He got nowhere with those efforts and decided to do things himself. The AFL was his idea and his baby. The Chiefs were originally the Dallas Texans. They played as such for three seasons and won the AFL title in 1962. In 1963, Hunt moved his team to Kansas City and became the Chiefs. Throughout the AFL’s existence (1960-69), the Chiefs were a contending team. They represented the AFL in Super Bowl’s I and IV, losing Super Bowl I to the Green Bay Packers and (sadly) winning Super Bowl over the Vikings. The 1960s were great years for the Chiefs. Recent years have been even better. With the coaching of Andy Reid and quarterbacking of Patrick Mahomes, they have played in three of the last five Super Bowls. The Chiefs won Super Bowl Super Bowl LIV over the San Francisco 49ers, lost Super Bowl LV to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and won Super Bowl LVII over the Philadelphia Eagles. In advance of tomorrow’s big game, here are some of the best players in the franchise history of the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Kansas City Chiefs All - Time Team

Offense

Quarterback

Patrick Mahomes

Running Back

Jamaal Charles

Fullback

Christian Okoye

Wide Receivers

Otis Taylor

Tyreek Hill

Tight End

Tony Gonzalez

Travis Kelce

I can’t leave either of these great tight ends off of this team.

Offensive Tackles

Jim Tyrer

Willie Roaf

Offensive Guards

Ed Budde

Will Shields

Center

Jack Rudnay

Defense

Defensive Ends

Neil Smith

Justin Houston

Defensive Tackles

Buck Buchanan

Chris Jones

Linebackers

Bobby Bell

Willie Lanier

Derrick Thomas

Cornerbacks

Emmitt Thomas

Albert Lewis

Safeties

Johnny Robinson

Deron Cherry

Special Teams

Kicker 

Jan Stenerud

Punter

Jerrel Wilson

Returner

Dante Hall

All - Time NFL Team

I was saddened by yesterday’s news that Chicago Bears linebacking legend Dick Butkus has passed. He was a treat on and off the field. Actually, on the field, he was only a treat to fans of the Bears and those that football. He was no treat to opposing offenses. To them, he was a beast. A novice to football would learn a lot about the sport simply by watching a highlight reel of Butkus. His play, and name, screams football. Butkus! Even rival fans had to love Butkus. If not that, they certainly had to respect him off the way he played. I came to football as Butkus was leaving it. I wish that I had seen him play. 

While thinking about Dick Butkus, I couldn’t help but think of his teammates on an All - Time NFL Team. 

RIP Dick Butkus.

Offense

Quarterback

Otto Graham, Cleveland Browns

Fullback
Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns

Halfback

Walter Payton, Chicago Bears

Receivers
Jerry Rice, San Francisco 49ers
Randy Moss, Minnesota Vikings/Raiders/Patriots/Titans

Tight End
Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots

Left Tackle
Jim Parker, Baltimore Colts

Right Tackle

Forrest Gregg, Green Bay Packers

Left Guard
Randall McDaniel, Minnesota Vikings

Right Guard

Joe DeLamielleure, Buffalo Bills/Browns

Center
Mel Hein, New York Giants

Defense

Defensive Ends
Deacon Jones, Los Angeles Rams

Reggie White, Philadelphia Eagles/Green Bay Packers

Defensive Tackles
Alan Page, Minnesota Vikings/Bears
Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams/Chargers/Redskins

Linebackers
Jack Ham, Pittsburgh Steelers
Dick Butkus, Chicago Bears
Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants

Cornerbacks
Mike Haynes, New England Patriots/Oakland-LA Raiders
Deion Sanders, Falcons/49ers/Cowboys/Redskins/Ravens

Safeties
Ronnie Lott, San Francisco 49ers/Raiders/Jets
Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens/Texans/Jets

***

I don’t like that I now live in a world without Bud Grant, Jim Brown, and Dick Butkus. Thinking about Butkus and Lawrence Taylor on the same team helps.