The National Football League Scouting Combine is like the America’s Next Top Model of football. The Combine is a week-long showcase, allowing NFL coaching staffs to evaluate top college football players throughout the country in a standardized setting. NFL hopefuls perform physical and mental tests in front of NFL executives, general managers, coaches and scouts. Because of the importance of the NFL draft, the scouting combine has grown in scope and significance. The NFL Combine is held every February in Indianapolis, Indiana. The event is closed to the general public, attendance is by invitation only. Check out the National Football League Scouting Combine website for more information… http://www.nflcombine.net/

Sunday’s Super Bowl game was a showcase of great play calling on behalf of the New Orleans Saints. Saints Coach Sean Payton seemed to have all of the cards stacked in his favor when he made a daring decision toward the end of the first half to run on fourth down and goal from the one yard line when the Saints were down 10-3.

Payton will also go down in Super Bowl history for calling an onside kick at the start of the second half of the game. Usually onside kicks are attempted in the final period of a game as a team finds themselves behind on the scoreboard and in need of an extra possession to try and mount a comeback. This is the first time that an onside kick had been attempted before the final period of a Super Bowl.

After scoring a touchdown to put the Saints ahead, Payton made yet another daring decision with 5:46 left in the game. The score was 22-17, and kicking an extra point would only mean a 6 point lead, however, a 2 point conversion attempt would mean a 7 point lead and if the Indianapolis Colts scored after that the score would be tied. Quaterback Drew Brees tossed a pass to wide receiver Lance Moore in the front right corner of the end zone, and as he fell, he extended the ball over the goal line. The 2 point conversion attempt paid off.

So what is an onside kick and a two point conversion you may be asking? Both are risky plays, sometimes viewed as “trick plays”, but if executed properly and done successfully, they can help a team shake up their opponent in to rethinking their strategy.
Details of an onside kick and a two point conversion can be found in the “Pink Playbook”.

Ladies, to keep you in the know about today’s Pro Football Hall of Fame selection…
Today marks the 47th selection of the Pro Football Hall of Fame class. The charter class of 17 members was enshrined on September 7, 1963.
Seven members were selected for the “Class of 2010″ at a cermony held in Miami Florida, the eve before the super bowl. With the Class of 2010, a total of 260 members have been enshrined.

To be eligible, players and coaches must have been retired at least five years. Members are selected by a 44-person committee made up of sportswriters, known as the Board of Selectors. Fans may also nominate any player or coach by simply writing to the Pro Football Hall of Fame via letter or email. To be selected, a finalist must receive at least 80 percent support from the Board of Selectors. There are at least four, but no more than seven, candidates selected annually.

The Class of 2010 will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 7, 2010. For more specific information about the selection process visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame link below:

http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/SelectionProcessFAQ.aspx

Super Bowl Sunday is this weekend, and although your favorite team may not be playing, it’s a game that everyone can feel apart of.  There is no bigger show stage than the Super Bowl and the two best teams are ready to put on one heck of a show.

Important things to know:
It’s quarterback Drew Brees and the Saints vs. quarterback Peyton Manning and the Colts.

Peyton Manning already has a Super Bowl ring.  He’s been a Super Bowl MVP. He was recently voted the league MVP for the fourth time, and he has been awarded Offensive Player of the Year.  He has much at stake in winning another Super Bowl. A win would put Drew Brees among the elite quarterbacks in football.

The Colts have a defensive speed to be reckoned with and the Saints secondary may prove a tough hurdle. (see Pink Playbook – Defensive Line)

The teams are a great match up so the key to winning will be scoring early and often and creating turnovers and capitalizing on them.

Kickoff time is on February 7, 2010 at 6:30 ET. Carrie Underwood will be performing and there will be the much
anticipated Super Bowl commercials as well as the Super Bowl 2010 half time show.

Enjoy the Super Bowl!

First a little about me…. I LOVE SPORTS. OK, maybe not curling but I do watch it. My favorite is obviously… FOOTBALL. It’s one sport you really need to stay on top of.  The players, the rules, the game itself is ever changing and if you’re not an avid follower you might get lost. So to help Womankind, I decided to create a site with links and quick information, great conversation about the game and even the occasional bit of gossip.Your comments and suggestions are appreciated. The more we share the more we learn.

Are you ready for some football?!