Post by Coach Campbell on Jul 26, 2011 13:09:16 GMT
History of Ground Football
Overview
The ground game in football has gone through various stages of importance. When it comes to moving the football, running the ball has always been a factor. In the early days of the game, running the ball was the only way to advance the ball and score a touchdown. After the innovation of the forward pass in 1906, the running game still maintained its importance but it was no longer the only way to move the football.
Early Years
When Rutgers met Princeton in the first college football game in 1869, running the ball was the only way teams were legally allowed to move the football. Football was a violent game, filled with hard hitting on both teams. Serious injuries often resulted from the flying wedge formations that offensive teams used to help advance the football. It was power against power and speed wasn't a factor until all defensive players were blocked and the player with the ball could speed to the end zone.
Introduction of the Pass
The passing game was introduced by Georgia Tech head coach John W. Heisman in 1906. The game had been deemed too violent by President Teddy Roosevelt and changes had to be made to make the game more acceptable to the American public. Passing the ball from behind the line of scrimmage to an open receiver brought more skill to the game. It also opened things up for the running game. Instead of trying to beat your opponent with power only, deception became a key factor. The innovation of the single-wing formation saw the center snap the ball to a halfback. That back would spin and run with the ball, spin and hand the ball off or spin and pass the ball. The spinning process would often fool the defense and result in long running plays.
T-Formation
In 1940, the Chicago Bears played the Washington Redskins in the NFL championship game. The Bears felt that standard single-wing football would not be enough to allow them to defeat the Redskins in the title game. Head coach/owner George Halas and offensive coach Clark Shaughnessy came up with the T-formation. In this set up, the quarterback took a direct snap from the center and turned and handed or pitched the ball to a running back. He could also drop back and pass the ball. This shocking development allowed the Bears to run over the Redskins 73-0 and changed the face of football. After that, fewer teams used the single wing and more teams used the T-formation. The T-formation gave teams the option of running with power, speed or deception.
Running the Football and the Growth of the NFL
The most important running back in the history of the game may have been Red Grange, who starred for the University of Illinois before signing with the NFL's Chicago Bears in 1925. Before Grange went to the NFL, pro football was considered a lower form of the game. When George Halas took his Bears on a barnstorming tour across the nations, huge crowds turned out to see Halas and that turned out to be one of the most important moments in the history of professional football.
Great Running Backs
Great running backs have been some of the most memorable players in the history of football. Jim Brown of the Cleveland Browns was the NFL's all-time leading rusher until his record was broken by Walter Payton in 1984. Brown is still considered to be one of the game's all-time greats and his legacy is powerful even though he retired in 1965. Payton was considered to be one of the greatest all-around football players of all-time. Barry Sanders was perhaps the most elusive and explosive back while running for the Detroit Lions. Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys is the NFL's all-time leading rusher. Eric Dickerson dominated for the Los Angeles Rams with his speed and power.
References
WesClark.com: American Football
Pro-Football Reference: Running Backs
MSNBC: Top 10 Running Backs of All-Time
.
Overview
The ground game in football has gone through various stages of importance. When it comes to moving the football, running the ball has always been a factor. In the early days of the game, running the ball was the only way to advance the ball and score a touchdown. After the innovation of the forward pass in 1906, the running game still maintained its importance but it was no longer the only way to move the football.
Early Years
When Rutgers met Princeton in the first college football game in 1869, running the ball was the only way teams were legally allowed to move the football. Football was a violent game, filled with hard hitting on both teams. Serious injuries often resulted from the flying wedge formations that offensive teams used to help advance the football. It was power against power and speed wasn't a factor until all defensive players were blocked and the player with the ball could speed to the end zone.
Introduction of the Pass
The passing game was introduced by Georgia Tech head coach John W. Heisman in 1906. The game had been deemed too violent by President Teddy Roosevelt and changes had to be made to make the game more acceptable to the American public. Passing the ball from behind the line of scrimmage to an open receiver brought more skill to the game. It also opened things up for the running game. Instead of trying to beat your opponent with power only, deception became a key factor. The innovation of the single-wing formation saw the center snap the ball to a halfback. That back would spin and run with the ball, spin and hand the ball off or spin and pass the ball. The spinning process would often fool the defense and result in long running plays.
T-Formation
In 1940, the Chicago Bears played the Washington Redskins in the NFL championship game. The Bears felt that standard single-wing football would not be enough to allow them to defeat the Redskins in the title game. Head coach/owner George Halas and offensive coach Clark Shaughnessy came up with the T-formation. In this set up, the quarterback took a direct snap from the center and turned and handed or pitched the ball to a running back. He could also drop back and pass the ball. This shocking development allowed the Bears to run over the Redskins 73-0 and changed the face of football. After that, fewer teams used the single wing and more teams used the T-formation. The T-formation gave teams the option of running with power, speed or deception.
Running the Football and the Growth of the NFL
The most important running back in the history of the game may have been Red Grange, who starred for the University of Illinois before signing with the NFL's Chicago Bears in 1925. Before Grange went to the NFL, pro football was considered a lower form of the game. When George Halas took his Bears on a barnstorming tour across the nations, huge crowds turned out to see Halas and that turned out to be one of the most important moments in the history of professional football.
Great Running Backs
Great running backs have been some of the most memorable players in the history of football. Jim Brown of the Cleveland Browns was the NFL's all-time leading rusher until his record was broken by Walter Payton in 1984. Brown is still considered to be one of the game's all-time greats and his legacy is powerful even though he retired in 1965. Payton was considered to be one of the greatest all-around football players of all-time. Barry Sanders was perhaps the most elusive and explosive back while running for the Detroit Lions. Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys is the NFL's all-time leading rusher. Eric Dickerson dominated for the Los Angeles Rams with his speed and power.
References
WesClark.com: American Football
Pro-Football Reference: Running Backs
MSNBC: Top 10 Running Backs of All-Time
.