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A seismic shift

A seismic shift

Questions or comments for Thurman? Send him a note at Thurman@nflcanada.com

Some thoughts on trends, and changes in today’s NFL. It doesn’t seem like anyone runs counters anymore; also it seems to be increasingly more difficult to run successful screenplays. I would guess that it is the speed of the defenders that hamper the execution of these plays.

The fact that the Chicago Bears didn’t do a whole lot on offense against the Eagles in their game on Sunday until the communication system in (QB) Brian Griese’ helmet went dead, says a lot, so does the fact that the Ravens called three straight passing plays starting with second and one, when the game was on the line against Buffalo on Sunday.

All three were incomplete, the Bills took over on downs and the game was over. The situation in the Bears game was that the bears needed a touchdown with less than two minutes to play and they had the ball at their own three-yard line. Griese, without the help/interference from coaches marched the ball effortlessly down the field to the winning score.Sometimes, not always, coaches need to let athletes be athletes and use the talent and skill they possess to make plays.

What does all this say about the present and future of the NFL? I can’t say specifically, but I sense major changes in the game in the next five years. I think the main factors in this change will be; the speed of the defense, the influx of young coaches and the yearlong commitment players now have for the game. We’ll see.

Random notes:

• The Bills playing regular season games in Toronto, if it happens, might be the only thing that eventually keeps the franchise in Buffalo. (At least for most of the season). The Niagara Bills.

• I’m really starting to like the future of the Buffalo Bills.

• Bob Sanders of the Colts, is the best defensive player in the league right now.

• Rookie quarterbacks seem to play a lot better now than they did just a few years ago.

• The head coach that has impressed me the most over the last ten years is Jeff Fischer of the Tennessee Titans.

• The NFC will not come within fourteen points of the AFC in the Super Bowl this year.

Lastly, I was in Toronto a couple of weeks ago; it really is a wonderful place and has become one of my favorite places to visit.

Thurman Thomas

Buffalo Bills legend Thurman Thomas rushed for 1,000 yards in eight consecutive seasons, was selected to five consecutive Pro Bowls, and was named NFL MVP in 1991. Thomas was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007, and is now an NFL ambassador in Canada and will be making community and charitable appearances on behalf of the league north of the border.