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Bye-week matters for O-Line

Bye-week matters for O-Line

By Ian Allen

Now the playoffs are here. The long 16 week season of car crashes every play is over for some. Having the last team meeting of the year, talking about vacation plans, and what do you think our new head coach or GM will be like, and finally collecting your helmet, and your jerseys and cleaning out your locker until March. But for the rest, IT’S PLAYOFF TIME!

I mention car crash collisions because I want to discuss the issue of rest before the playoffs. I am excited that the New England Patriots finished the season with a perfect record, but I am a little surprised that none of the starters were rested. I understand they have the bye week and all to get healthy and fresh, but suppose someone were to get hurt like the New York Giants?

Being a former offensive linemen, carrying around 315lbs (plus) weighs on the body after a while, and if you can rest those tractor trailer pulling muscles an extra week, you are ahead of the game.

In the 2005 playoffs in Philadelphia, there was a big difference with the rest we received going into the playoffs. Everyone’s legs were fresh and ready to go. It was almost as if the season had just began without the rust and trying to find the continuity on offense,(pretty much how the Patriots were all year), and going into our 1st game smashing people in the mouth, and most of the games we knew we would win because we were well rested and guys were anxious to hit someone because there were not anymore nagging injuries or pains…like a sprained wrist or a jammed thumb, and the list goes on and on.

This year’s playoffs will be one of the most interesting playoffs of all time because you have some exceptional teams, and one potentially the greatest team of all time. For example, Brett Favre broke Dan Marino’s record for most touchdowns, Randy Moss has the record for most TD pass receptions with 23, Tom Brady breaks Peyton Manning’s record of most TD passes in a season with 50, and David Garrad almost comes from no where with his decision making skills with the football by 3 interceptions to 18 touchdowns, and don’t let me get started with Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys.

I just hope the ones who had a chance to rest their guys and did not, made the right choices. Time will tell and we only have a few weeks to find out. Until next time.

Ian Allen played offensive line in the NFL for six seasons, primarily with the New York Giants. He now hosts an NFL radio program on www.colourfulradio.com, Mondays, 3:00 p.m. EST