13
Jan
2012
Broncos-Steelers Wild Card shocker: mic’d up (VIDEO)
(Photo: Hyoung Chang, DenverPost.com)
When Tim Tebow and the Broncos upset the Pittsburgh Steelers in their wild card playoff match-up last Sunday, most people theorized that divine intervention had a something to do with it. But true football fans understood that it was actually the arrogance of coordinator Dick LeBeau and the Steelers defense – who stacked the box all day and challenged Denver to throw the ball downfield – that allowed Tebow to pass for 316 yards and 2 TDs (including 204 yards to Demaryius Thomas), and knock the defending AFC champs off their throne.
As usual, the NFL Films crew was on hand in Denver to capturing all the sights and sounds from the game for their super-awesome SoundFX program. For this contest, they had Ben Roethlisberger and Elvis Dumervil mic’d up, along with countless parabolic mics roaming the sideline to pick up all the extra-curriculars. So enjoy as we get to watch the action unfold through the eyes of the players and coaches on the field, in what will already go down as a game for the ages:
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
15
Dec
2011
Tim Tebow mic’d up vs the Bears might make you a believer (VIDEO)
(Photo: WashingtonPost.com)
As the Tim Tebow phenomenon continues to grow to the point of nearly taking over all league-wide discussion, it should come as no surprise that the NFL Films crew had the Broncos QB mic’d up for his Week 14 match-up against the Chicago Bears, as part of their Sound FX series. In it, we get a little more insight into the way Denver’s savior plays the game, what he says to his teammates to motivate them on the field, as well as Tebow’s most personal conversations with the man upstairs.
Particularly interesting is hearing Tebow try to keep WR Demaryius Thomas’s head in the game after dropping a sure third quarter touchdown, presciently telling him, “You’re good. Hey, no big deal, it just makes it closer for a little bit longer. You’re about to catch the game-winner, and then you’ll be the hero of the game.” (well, technically it wasn’t the game-winner, but still).
Then, following his own 4th quarter fumble (which seemingly sealed their fate with just 5:41 remaining), Tebow comforts Broncos’ QB coach Andrew Case, who asks, “Why do we always gotta do this?”. Cool as a cucumber, Tebow just smiles, put his hand around Gase’s shoulder and says: “It’s all right. We’ll figure it out, man.”
And figure it out he did, rallying to tie the game and take it to overtime, with a little help from Marion Barber along the way. But to no surprise, Tebow appears to be most relaxed when the game around him is at its most tense. Following Barber’s OT fumble, Tebow silently rises off the bench, points toward the sky as he takes the field, and launches into song with a quiet hymnal before calmly leading Denver to the game-winning score.
Regardless of your feelings about his faith or throwing abilities, you can’t deny that we are witnessing something special in Tebow right now. And as long as he keeps winning, he’s going to continue to make believers out of his teammates, opponents and even his harshest critics.
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
10
Nov
2011
Brian Cushing Mic’d Up vs Browns is scary (VIDEO)
Cushing MAAAAAD!!! (Photo: Imgur.com)
Texans LB Brian Cushing has a reputation as a bit of a loose cannon on the field, and this mic’d up segment from NFL Films’ Sound FX gives us a bit more insight as to exactly why he’s earned that rep. Watch as Cushing offers to step in at QB, admires his guns on the big screen, does pushups on the sideline to keep warm, says he “likes his odds” going 11-on-1 against the Browns offense, and discusses poetry with Arian Foster.
But the wildest moment comes when Cushing removes his helmet during an altercations with a Browns lineman, then delivers a headbutt, splitting Cushing’s forehead wide open (see banner pic). Afterwards, Cushing had to say “I’ll just keep my helmet on from now on”. Probably a smart move, Brian.
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
1
Nov
2011
Andy Dalton and A.J. Green are Even More Impressive Mic’d Up (VIDEO)
(Photo: Yahoo.com)
One of the biggest surprises of the 2012 NFL season thus far has been the emergence of the Cincinnati Bengals, who are off to a 5-2 start and riding a four game win streak, due largely to the play of rookie sensations AJ. Green and Andy Dalton. Together, the wide receiver taken with the #4 overall pick and the second-round quarterback (respectively) are off to the best start of any rookie WR-QB duo in recent memory, giving Bengals fans hope for the future like they haven’t felt in ages.
The New York Times‘ NFL Blog, The Fifth Down, has an excellent piece today on the historical significance of the Dalton-to-Green connection. Not since Jim Plunkett and Randy Vataha connected for 51 passes for 872 yards and 9 touchdowns as Patriots in 1971 have a rookie pair taken the league by storm in this fashion. The closest thing since was the Redskins’ Joe Theismann to Gary Clark (who caught 72 passes for 926 yards and 5 TDs as a rookie in 1985), but it’s become a rarer phenomenon in recent years.
Already through seven games this season, Green has caught 33 passes for 516 yards and 5 TDs. And they have nine more games to notch 5 more scores and become the first rookie QB-WR tandem to connect for 10 TDs in NFL history. Wow.
Fortunately for us, NFL Films had both players mic’d up during their Week 6 win over the Indianapolis Colts, for the always-awesome SoundFX program. Watching and listening to these guys play, it’s clear that Green still has some mental issues on the field, which are to be expected of a rookie, and he more than makes up for with sheer physical talent. But Dalton comes off like an old pro, directing traffic and displaying the leadership of a seasoned vet in the huddle, on the sidelines and with the coaches. And together, the two are developing a chemistry that should be exciting to watch for a long, long time.
Hell, it already is pretty exciting to watch, and we’re just getting started.
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
29
Sep
2011
Epic Bills Comeback vs Patriots – Sound FX (VIDEO)
(Photo: SI.com)
Last Sunday’s Bills-Patriots contest proved to be the NFL’s game of the week, as the upstart Bills fought back from an early 21-0 deficit to defeat their AFC East nemesis and improve to 3-0 on the season.
Fortunately for us, the NFL Films crew was on hand, and had a whole array of players and coaches mic’d up for the game to bring us the sights & sounds of the most exciting thing to happen in Buffalo in years. The resulting Sound FX highlights are definitely worth the watch, to see how the Bills were able to keep their heads in the game after falling behind, and snap their 15-game slide to the Pats.
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
26
Sep
2011
Watch the Trailer for “A Football Life: Reggie White and Jerome Brown” (VIDEO)
(Image via SBNation.com)
Episode 3 of NFL Films’ extraordinary new series, A Football Life, premieres Thursday on the NFL Network, and this week it chronicles the bond between two of the most ferocious defenders to ever play in the NFL, Reggie White and Jerome Brown. The two Eagles defensive linemen were about as diametrically opposed personalities as you could find – Steve Sabol calls them “football’s version of the Odd Couple” – but shared an unbreakable bond on the field during the five seasons they played together in Philadelphia.
A Football Life takes a close look at that period, leading up to Brown’s untimely death in a car accident in 1992, and examines the lasting impact both men had both on and off the field. And after seeing how awesome the first two episodes of this series were, you can be sure we’ll be setting the DVR to record them all.
WATCH THE TRAILER AFTER THE JUMP
23
Sep
2011
Bill Belichick as a Roller Skating Pirate … no, really (VIDEO)
(Photo: INSNTRPLY.com)
Part 2 of A Football Life aired on NFL Network last night (read our review of Part 1 HERE), and while there was plenty more insight provided into the world of Bill Belichick, the runaway highlight from the show came during the Patriot’s 2009 week 8 bye. Former pats WR Randy Moss organized a Halloween party for the players & coaches, and sat down with the Hoodie to see if the coaches would be interested in joining. Belichick slowly warms to the idea, eventually saying “it’s a great holiday! Candy and costumes … how can you beat that?!?”
That scene is followed by footage of Belichick arriving at the roller rink dressed as a pirate, with his girlfriend playing the part of wench, where he’s greeted by Moss as Spongebob Squarepants and other players who are just thrilled to see Bill let his hair down a bit. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Belichick laces up the skates and takes to the rink to get his pirate roller boogie on … yaaaarrrrr:
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
23
Sep
2011
Best of NFL Sound FX – Week 2 (VIDEO)
NFL Films’ Sound FX is back with the best highlights and sound bytes from weeks two, and as usual, we just can’t get enough.
This week features a couple of one-handed grabs by Tony Gonzalez (“You catch that one-handed? Yeah, I think so!”) and Vincent Jackson, Vince Wilfork describing how he wasn’t getting caught by a lineman on his epic interception return, and much much more:
Also, be sure to check out the full-length mic’d up segments from Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan and Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, as he led his club to a comeback win against the Raiders.
18
Sep
2011
Darrelle Revis mic’d up vs the Cowboys is awesome (VIDEO)
(Photo: Newsday.com)
The NFL Films crew is back for another season putting microphones on the best players in the game and bringing fans the sights & sounds of the game like no one else. In addition to their unrivaled Sound FX program on NFL Network, this footage is also airing as part of a brand new series, NFL Turning Point on Versus, which apparently is a network now.
On Sunday night, Jets CB Darrelle Revis was wired for sound as he battled Cowboys WR Dez Bryant, and ultimately delivered the crucial last-minute interception that set up Nick Folk’s game-winning 50-yard field goal. It was the first time Revis had ever worn a microphone during a game, and the all-everything corner said that he forgot he was wearing it until after the fact. Revis suggested that some of the audio they captured would need to be edited for public consumption before airing:
“Yeah, (it was) pretty cool. I’ll tell you, though, there was some crazy stuff on that mic, man,” Revis said. “It’s the heat of the battle. He said words to me, and I’m saying words back to Dez.”
“It’s X-rated. There was a lot of stuff going on, a lot of back and forth … That’s real life. Whatever was said on there, that’s what it was. It’s in the heat of the moment, the heat of battle. That’s what it was.”
Even with the X-rated stuff on the cutting room floor, it’s definitely fun to watch Revis and Bryant go at it throughout the game, with Revis expressing his respect for the young receiver both during and afterward. But it was Revis who once again proved himself to be the best shutdown corner in all of football, delivering the big play when his team needed it the most.
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
16
Sep
2011
Bill Belichick: A Football Life – The Softer Side of the Hoodie (VIDEO)
Belichick gets choked up reminiscing at Giants Stadium (Image via Sportsgrid.com)
Read our recap of Part 2 HERE
We, along with the rest of the sports-geek community, have been anxiously awaiting the premier of NFL Network’s new special, Bill Belichick: A Football Life. We’re big fans of all these mic’d up segments, and can’t get enough of the insight the NFL Films crew provides into the game we love so much. But after watching part 1, which aired Thursday night, let’s just say we’ve got mixed feelings.
Back in 2009, Belichick agreed to be the first person to be wired for sound by NFL Films for an entire year, promising an unprecedented look at the enigmatic coach’s life inside and outside the game. And while it’s certainly fascinating to hear Belichick do what he does best – like game-planning with Tom Brady for the Baltimore Ravens and Ed Reed, and working with his players and coaches – ultimately, Belichick is a guy who doesn’t talk very much … which doesn’t make for the most exciting television in the world. Even when relaxing on a boat, in the glimpses we get at his relationship with his son, and when he’s trying to relate with his players and be funny, Belichick is about as dry a character as they come. In fact, Deadspin has a hilarious “highlights” reel from the show, jam-packed with all the moments showing The Hoodie at his most grumbly. I mean, let’s face it, Rex Ryan, he ain’t.
But even still, Belichick is an unqualified football genius, and there is plenty here for Patriots fans and football nerds to geek out over. The trailer (below) gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect, and here’s list of standout moments from the program, with a couple of clips to whet your appetite. Even if the personalities might not be as dynamic as we might like, we’ll definitely be setting the DVR to record Part 2:
- The most notable highlight is when Belichick strolls through the bowels of Giants Stadium and gets teary-eyed (VIDEO BELOW) while reminiscing about his time spent there cutting his teeth as a defensive coach under Bill Parcells. It’s by far the most human we’ve ever seen the guy.
- Getting into some smack talk with Ravens WR Derrick Mason, in which he tells him to “Shut the f*ck up” and “Look at the scoreboard” (VIDEO BELOW)
- Joking with Chad Ochocino, then with the Bengals,telling him he might as well take the night off because the Pats were going to double-team him.
- Before the Denver game, Belichick shared a handshake with his former pupil Josh McDaniels, during which they agreed to just wave after the game.
- The aforementioned game-planning for the Ravens, and Belichick telling Ed Reed before the game that he’s the best free safety he has ever seen.
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
