2019 NFL Season Kickoff

“There’s a Gleam, men. There’s a Gleam… Let’s get the Gleam! Alright, let’s go!”

-Marty Schottenheimer, former Cleveland Browns Head Coach, moments before 1987 AFC Championship game

While Marty and his boys never captured the “Gleam”, a reference to the shining glint of light reflecting off the silver surface of the Lombardi Trophy, his words still capture the dreams and ambitions of every player that steps on to a professional football field. 

Yes, it’s that time of the year again. Quarterbacks are blooming, wide receivers are chirping. It’s the start of a new NFL season, and fans are frothing at the mouth to see some live, non-preseason action. Moves have been made and rosters finalized, coaches know who they’ll be going to war with.

As the season kickoff approaches, the game continues to evolve into something that is not quite as brutal as its past, yet is faster, and arguably more exciting than it has ever been. While previous eras will forever hold the legends and leaders of men that forged the game, nurtured its existence, and guided its ascension into becoming the American sport; we are now in the golden age of athletic excellence.

On any present day during football season, we routinely see 6’6, 250-lb tight ends hurdling grown men; high school wide receivers across the nation making one-handed catches like it’s the new viral dance move; kickers launching 70-yard field goals in practice and making them with room to spare. Purely from the perspective of entertainment value, it is a beautiful time to be a fan of the game.

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this athletic renaissance is the evolution of the modern quarterback. I mean, Patrick Mahomes, right? The kid comes in and not only lights up the league with 50 passing TDs, but along the way does some things we’ve never seen from the quarterback position (see his no-look, cross-body, bullet pass against the Baltimore Ravens). While Mahomes is unquestionably a special talent, we are seeing more and more of his mold becoming the norm. The Deshaun Watson, Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray ilk – these are the prototypes, the Plato-Esque “Forms”, if you will, of your modern-day NFL quarterback. And by Zeus, what breathtaking Forms they are.

In a quarterback-driven league, nothing is more promising than to see the forthcoming parity among the less fortunate – or historically incompetent NFL franchises. The chances of hitting on a high-round quarterback are much more favorable now, than say 40 years ago, as you would expect in any growing sport. Talent, arm-strength, and mobility are less of a concern because most high-level QB prospects already provide these qualities. Most significant now is whether a given franchise has the proper management, coaching, and developmental systems in place that allow a quarterback to reach full potential.

Capturing the Gleam starts with having capable quarterback, and we’re beginning to see a lot more of those coming into the league. Combined with the freakish athleticism we are witnessing at the wide receiver and tight end positions, what does this mean for NFL defenses? Strap-in and strap-up. For us fans? Get your popcorn ready!