Balancing Act

"Better learn balance. Balance is key".- Mr.Miyagi 

The above quote is simple in its delivery, but profound in its meaning(Plus it came from the Karate Kid, how can you hate on that???). Balance is a basic principle that is needed in all walks of life. From the moment you begin crawling, until the time you die, we are striving to find/maintain balance. The same can be said for football teams. Balance is VERY key on the football field.

The first four weeks of the football season has produced some preposterous passing yardage by quarterbacks. According to NFL.com, Tom Brady has thrown for 1553 yards, Drew Bress has 1410, and Cam Newton has thrown for 1386. Those numbers are outrageous and they are happening all around the league. Watching a team throw the ball all over the field is cool, but in the long run it can cause you to take an L. Once you build a lead, you need to be able to run the ball, burn some time, and close the game out.

Most of us saw the Lions-Cowboys game this past Sunday. The Cowboys were dominating the game, but it never seemed like the Lions were completely out of the game. Even though Dallas had a 27-3 lead, they never tried to establish the run game. Then in the third quarter, Tony Romo started handing out "pick sixes" like his name was Brett Favre. Romo threw interceptions for touchdowns on back to back possessions. That was exactly what the Lions needed to begin the comeback that they eventually completed. Since Dallas didn't have any semblance of a running game, they left the door open for Detroit, which the Lions kicked in, and won the game.

That was a prime example of why balance is very much needed. It is good to throw the ball around to build a lead, or exploit mismatches in the secondary. Yet, you have to be able to run the ball once the lead is built. Now, I'm not saying to just run the ball, and completely abandon the passing game, but you have to be able to run some time off the clock. The only time the clock stops other than a timeout, is after an incomplete pass. So, if you come out and throw three straight incomplete passes you are giving a team the ball back, and a chance to cut into your lead. Your defense begins to tire because they are on the field so much. Then teams with playmakers like Calvin Johnson will take advantage and send you home with an L you really shouldn't have taken.

Moreover, the weather is going to continue to get worse as the season progresses. By playoff time, it is a lot tougher to throw the ball around. Throughout my years of watching football, most playoff games come down to who can run the ball. You may see a few big passing plays, but it mostly comes down to having a balanced attack, and being able to run. So, teams such as the Patriots, Saints, and Lions need to find a reliable running game quick. They all have pieces to go far in the playoffs, but they will need to be able to run to close teams out.

I know that the NFL is experiencing a changing in philosophy where passing is king, but I feel that teams that have the most balance will be the ones standing in the end. You have to maintain balance in order to win the championship. So, head coaches and offensive coordinatiors better heed the words of Mr.Miyagi and "learn balance", or they will go home sad, and a lot earlier than they expect.

I'm Jimmy L. Wilson, Jr. and I approve this message.