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
28
Jan
2011
VIDEO: NFL Films Presents the best mic’d up moments of 2010
Since we’ll be without any real football this weekend (sorry, the Pro Bowl doesn’t count), we thought it would be a good time to look back on the 2010 NFL season to relive some of the best moments of the year. And what better way to do that than through the ever-present lens of the NFL Films crew?
Fortunately for us, NFL Films also wired a slew of players for sound throughout the season, capturing some insightful, hilarious and inspiring audio for our listening enjoyment. Quite simply, it’s the closest you can get to the game without actually being on the field. So without any further adieu, here it is … NFL Films Presents: Wired Up:
21
Jan
2011
VIDEO: Patriots and Jets mic’d up for AFC Divisional Playoff
We’ve made no attempt to hide our infatuation with the NFL Network’s Sound FX program, and would be remiss if we didn’t pass along this clip from last weekend’s Patriots-Jets AFC Playoff game. As always, the NFL Films crew provides unparalleled insight into the game we love:
I’m not sure why, of all people, they chose to wire TE Alge Crumpler for sound, but he ended up being a major part of the game for the Pats. More importantly, it doesn’t seem like anyone on the Jets was actually mic’d up for this game, which is a bit of disappointment. I was really counting on getting some choice Bart Scott audio out of this.
30
Dec
2010
VIDEO: Tim Tebow mic’d up vs Texans might actually make you like the guy
(Photo: Getty Images via Zimbio.com)
Broncos rookie QB Tim Tebow might be one of the most divisive players to come into the NFL in a long while. But whether you love or hate the God-loving, Heisman-winning boy wonder, you can’t help but be curious as to whether he’ll succeed as a quarterback at the professional level. So when Tebow suited up for his first home NFL start last Sunday against the Texans, the whole world was watching … and when Tebow delivered an impressive 2nd half comeback victory, he instantly silenced a lot of his doubters.
But maybe you’re still on the fence about Tebow. Maybe you went to Tennessee or something, or simply don’t like the guy for whatever reason. And if that’s the case, you might want to watch this. Tebow was mic’d up by the NFL Films crew for Sunday’s game, providing never-before-seen insight into the way he plays the game. Just watch the way Tebow’s leadership skills kick in during the fourth quarter:
A few of our favorite moments:
1
Dec
2010
VIDEO: Andre Johnson mic’d up for Finnegan brawl
(AP Photo via USA Today)
The NFL Network’s Sound FX program comes through in the clutch once again, having mic’d up Texans’ WR Andre Johnson for Sunday’s now-infamous clash with the Titans. In the piece, we get to hear the build up to Johnson’s brawl with Cortland Finnegan from AJ’s perspective.
Among the more juicy bites, we hear Johnson telling the refs to watch Finnegan hitting under his facemask, which brought us this exchange:
Johnson: “Hey ref, No. 31, when he gets frustrated …”
Referee: “Oh believe me, I watch him every play, everywhere.”
Later, we hear Kevin Walter telling Johnson, “you got 31 following you”, which he clearly is aware of by that point. And perhaps most interestingly, what appears to be right before the play where Johnson erupted, Matt Schaub warns his team not to get baited into anything by the notoriously chippy Titans:
“Listen up, keep your poise now. They’re gonna try and get us to do some dumb s#!t. Let’s keep mashing ‘em and keep your poise.”
Moments later, Johnson unleashed three haymakers to Finnegan’s head.
WATCH THE ANDRE JOHNSON SOUND FX VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
22
Nov
2010
NFL Network to broadcast game with NO announcers … Hallelujah!
Just imagine ... a whole game without these two blathering on endlessly (Image via CoedMagazine)
This is a potential game-changer, folks. For those of us out there who have to turn down the sound on NFL television broadcasts so we can actually enjoy the game, there may be a brighter future ahead.
The Houston Chronicle reports that the NFL Network is going to re-broadcast the Jets/Bengals Thanksgiving Day game this Saturday without any announcers! Instead, the NFL Films crew will mic up a whole bunch of players and coaches, and let their words tell the story of the game. Think about that for a second. A FULL game of NFL Films Sound FX footage! Not highlights … a full game! No Tony Siragusa. No Cris Collinsworth. No asinine, non-stop commentary that slowly grates on your nerves like Chinese water torture. Just the natural sounds of the game.
Seriously, this might be the best idea in the history of sports broadcasting:
“We’ve got 15 players and coaches miked during the game, including both coaches and all the coordinators and quarterbacks and middle linebackers,” NFL Films president Steve Sabol said. “We’ll have 60 people shooting the game, which is more than we use for a Super Bowl, and then we’ll turn it around in 48 hours and show it to you through the eyes of the players. It’s something you won’t see anywhere else.” …
Granted, there’s probably no way to ever do this for a live broadcast – simply because of the on-field language and potential for confidential team info getting out to the rest of the league. But this type of footage will give football fans an insight into the game that we’ve never had before … even if it comes a couple of days after the fact.
And again, thank GOD for the NFL Network. Let’s just hope this will be the first of many game broadcasts like this.
12
Nov
2010
Clay Matthews III is even more badass mic’d up (VIDEO)
(Photo: Corey Wilson/Press-Gazette)
Packers LB Clay Matthews is the early favorite for defensive MVP of the league this year, and has quickly become the Cheesehead nation’s favorite son. And with Matthews’ non-stop motor, hard-hitting style and incredible football IQ (thanks largely to his NFL family heritage), it’s easy to understand why. Throw in those flowing blond locks as he flies around the field, and opposing players must absolutely hate lining up against Matthews on Sunday.
When Green Bay faced off against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, the NFL Films crew wired Matthews up for their Sound FX program … and the results were about as awesome as expected. The guy is a natural born leader in every way, and he makes the players around him better. Watch here as the Packers put a serious hurting on the ‘boys, with Matthews leading the way:
29
Oct
2010
VIDEO: Tony Romo mic’d up, goes down vs Giants
In case you haven’t seen it yet, Sound FX on the NFL Network is must-DVR programming for any football fanatic. You get a half-hour of pure “mic’d up” NFL Films highlight footage without having to endure Cris Collinsworth or any other nonsense. It’s fantastic.
This week, the league wired up Cowboys QB Tony Romo for sound so we can all listen in as he gets taken out – possibly for the season – by Giants LB Michael Boley. The night starts off well enough for Romo, but watch and listen as it all comes crashing down:
Romo gets a lot of points for toughness here. The first thing he asks after getting injured is, “Did he catch the pass?”, before even telling the doctors where he’s hurt. And you have to like the way Romo tries to sneak back into the game (no matter how ill-advised that would have been).
Every time I watch one of these I end up liking the player more … and I am NOT a fan of Tony Romo. The NFL would be wise to integrate more Sound FX-style programming into their game broadcasts. Getting this type of insight into how the game is played is tremendous for the fans.
1
Dec
2009
Jay Cutler is somehow less impressive on “mic’d up”
Last week we posted Matt Stafford’s “mic’d up” segment as evidence of his leadership skills, and overall potential as an NFL QB. In the case of Jay Cutler and his 5 INT performance in Week 10 against the 49ers, the insight we gain from the mic somehow manages to make us think even less of the man. And trust us, we hold Cutler in pretty low regards around these parts.
From his pre-game focus on Michael Crabtree’s cleats, to his nonchalant attitude throughout a horrendous game, to the near sense of relief when he was able to finally put his hat on and head to the locker room, Cutler does absolutely nothing to inspire nor lead the Bears offense. There just can’t possibly be a less charismatic QB in the game than this guy.
27
Nov
2009
Matt Stafford is even more impressive on “mic’d up”
We realize that the Matt Stafford coverage this week is bordering on man-crush territory. And the fact that he threw 4 INTs yesterday against the Packers cannot be ignored.
But you just can’t fight a great story. And Stafford’s gutsy comeback performance (and particularly the final play) last weekend against the Browns was a great story. This “mic’d up” segment gives even more insight into the way this kid plays the game of football, including how he fought off the trainers to re-enter the game with a shoulder injury. If you don’t want to follow Stafford into battle after watching this, I don’t know what to tell you.
Stafford has obviously got a long way to go. But it’s clear from this video that he has the intangibles you just can’t teach, and should make him a great QB in this league for a long time.
