Examples of these offenses can be seen throughout the sports world and are slowly growing. The Indianapolis Colts, the #1 offense in the game (maybe not statistically but you know they are) just took on the #1 defense, those Chicago Bears. I'm a huge Chicago Bears fan myself and I love the D that they bring to the table, but I think it's time they looked at the offense or they're going to kiss goodbye to another shot at that Lombardi trophy. The Colts showed offense does win championships and the Bears showed they need offense to win championships. I mean there is bad, and there is appalling, and then there is Rex Grossman. I stuck behind this guy through thick and thin, and it got pretty thick at times. But when you go to the super like that and come out the way he did, it doesn't surprise me that the defense has picked him up time after time (just look at the Bears-Cardinals game).
Now shifting to another sport, basketball, one offense has blown away every defense in the league. Yes, I am talking about those scorching Phoenix Suns and scorching is an understatement. To have TWO 15 game winning streaks in ONE season is unheard of. In fact, had they not lost those few games in the start of the season, they would be looking to take that best record in NBA history, which was set by the astonishing Chicago Bulls of 1996. This team has proven themselves over teams such as the Spurs and Pistons, and gone beyond. And the #1 team in the league overall, the Dallas Mavericks, are an offensive minded-team as well. Yes, they have been focusing on defense under coach Avery Johnson (who has really exemplified his true capabilities over this team), but when you have a 7 foot 3-point shooter you have to be excited to get the ball into his hands.Both the Suns and Mavs, two teams with two MVP candidates (Nowitzki and Nash), have changed the face of basketball not only by impressing all those sports critics that believe in impenetrable defense, but also surprise the fans with no-look passes or one handed-dunks. Is it surprising that the two best offensive teams, not to mention best record teams as well, are the most fun to watch? No, of course not! These teams have caused players to do double-takes saying "did that just happen?" And teams like the Spurs or Pistons don't even have a chance. When you have a seven second shot clock like the Suns do it's hard enough just getting back to your side of the court before Nash dishes out a pass to Bell for an easy three. If no one takes charge soon it's going to turn into a sports blood fest; teams just drafting Quarterbacks or Point Guards and basketball games ending in scores like 150-140.
2 comments:
First, I have a little disagreement with the offense wins championships. The Colts were struggling at the end of the season and could not win a game even against teams like the Titans, who had yet to hit their stride, and the Texans. It was the elevation of how their defense played that allowed them to win in the postseason. That defense outplayed the Bears in the Super Bowl, the mistakes of Grossman, were forced by the Colts. However, the fumbled snaps show his horrendous play. But the blitzes were getting to the quarterback, and this must be credited to the Colts. The other teams in the playoffs were unable to take advantage of the erratic play of Grossman when he is blitzed.
The tight running defense that the Colts found in the playoffs was amazing. They stopped an elite running back in Larry Johnson. He was a non-factor. Also two good running attacks of the Bears and the Patriots were unable to beat the Colts. The Bears had one effective run, but it did not look as thought they were able to ever really start their running game which is the only offensive plus they have. As shown in the defensive, field goal struggle with Baltimore the Colts DEFENSE OUTPLAYED THE BEST DEFENSE in the league. And if the Ravens are not the best, then the Colts also outplayed the Bears.
That’s why I think that defense is still king. But the offense must be there, a team such as the Bears cannot win with a one-sided attack. The offense MUST be a part of the game plan. No matter how good the special teams and defense is it cannot win a championship without the offense to accompany it.
martin i do agree with you on most parts. Defense is "still the king" as you would put it, but offense is giving a new toll. You raise a good point in the colts D, but the fact that the offense could get that field position for vinaeteri in the ravens game was huge. his field goals were mainly 20 or 30 yard field goals. And against the bears, the offense still played incredibly. And no, the D did not cause grossman's horrendous play, Grossman is just disgusting. In fact, it would not surprise me to c the bears draft a QB. To be honest with you both sides of the ball, in any sport need to coexist, like you said, in order to win a championship. Even one great player on offense is good enough to win a championship when the Defense is killer.
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