I found the official NCAA Football Test which officials take prior to the season and its rather good fun to test yourself out on. It closes this time next week but do have a go and let us all know how you got on.
The CBS College Football Writer (Dennis Dodd) who took it scored 46 / 100. Despite my somewhat lacking knowledge on college football and the rules thereof I managed 50 / 100, so I know more than the CBS Senior Writer...just goes to show how much he knows!
Can you do better?
Full Version: So you think you know football?
On a slightly different note, the thought occurred to me not long ago that an interesting project for CDS to try to tackle at some point in the future would be a more detailed version of those "Idiot's Guide to.." or "...for Dummies" books. Something that we could title "So You Think You Know Football?" or "Scoutspeak 101" or something along those lines.
How much more detailed am I talking about? Well, for example, how about being able to answer questions like "What exactly is meant by the 'West Coast offense?" or "What exactly is meant by a 'three technique' defensive tackle?" or "What's the difference between an 'X' and 'Z' receiver?" or "Why can undersized offensive linemen thrive in Denver Bronco-style zone-blocking schemes but struggle in other schemes?" or "What is it about Cato June that allows him to excel in a 'Cover-2' defense when he's considered to be undersized in just about any other kind of defense?"
I'm sure it would be a pretty massive project, but I don't think there's a book out there right now like it. Imagine a tome that would define every offensive system and defensive system - or at least those most prevalent in the NFL - and then define every position within those systems. Like "Pro Football Weekly's" draft publications, it would have a big glossary in the back. A book that would allow a fan to, after reading it, look at a given free agent pool and draft class and say with some authority "Player X" would be a great fit for my favorite team, but "Player Y" would probably wind up being a bust."
Any thoughts?
Thanx,
Erik
How much more detailed am I talking about? Well, for example, how about being able to answer questions like "What exactly is meant by the 'West Coast offense?" or "What exactly is meant by a 'three technique' defensive tackle?" or "What's the difference between an 'X' and 'Z' receiver?" or "Why can undersized offensive linemen thrive in Denver Bronco-style zone-blocking schemes but struggle in other schemes?" or "What is it about Cato June that allows him to excel in a 'Cover-2' defense when he's considered to be undersized in just about any other kind of defense?"
I'm sure it would be a pretty massive project, but I don't think there's a book out there right now like it. Imagine a tome that would define every offensive system and defensive system - or at least those most prevalent in the NFL - and then define every position within those systems. Like "Pro Football Weekly's" draft publications, it would have a big glossary in the back. A book that would allow a fan to, after reading it, look at a given free agent pool and draft class and say with some authority "Player X" would be a great fit for my favorite team, but "Player Y" would probably wind up being a bust."
Any thoughts?
Thanx,
Erik
QUOTE (cjs206 @ Jul 7 2008, 6:52:36 AM) 
I found the official NCAA Football Test which officials take prior to the season and its rather good fun to test yourself out on. It closes this time next week but do have a go and let us all know how you got on.
The CBS College Football Writer (Dennis Dodd) who took it scored 46 / 100. Despite my somewhat lacking knowledge on college football and the rules thereof I managed 50 / 100, so I know more than the CBS Senior Writer...just goes to show how much he knows!
Can you do better?
The CBS College Football Writer (Dennis Dodd) who took it scored 46 / 100. Despite my somewhat lacking knowledge on college football and the rules thereof I managed 50 / 100, so I know more than the CBS Senior Writer...just goes to show how much he knows!
Can you do better?
Wow! That was hard...took me like 2 hours to complete it also.
51.
I'm telling you, anybody who passes that thing DESERVES to be paid to ref for sure.
If I see one more question with "Start the clock at snap" vs. "Start the clock on 'ready to play'" I am going to scream!
Thanks, Craig. That was very enlightening.
I will have to spend a couple hours looking over the reasons I got 49 wrong at another time.
Your Test Results
Name:
Steve Martin
Email:
mepatriot@juno.com
Affiliation:
Non-Staff Official (Division Non-Staff Official)
Completion Date:
07-07-2008
Total Questions:
100
Total Correct:
51
Total Incorrect:
49
QUOTE (NHFalcon @ Jul 7 2008, 8:34:22 AM)
On a slightly different note, the thought occurred to me not long ago that an interesting project for CDS to try to tackle at some point in the future would be a more detailed version of those "Idiot's Guide to.." or "...for Dummies" books. Something that we could title "So You Think You Know Football?" or "Scoutspeak 101" or something along those lines.
How much more detailed am I talking about? Well, for example, how about being able to answer questions like "What exactly is meant by the 'West Coast offense?" or "What exactly is meant by a 'three technique' defensive tackle?" or "What's the difference between an 'X' and 'Z' receiver?" or "Why can undersized offensive linemen thrive in Denver Bronco-style zone-blocking schemes but struggle in other schemes?" or "What is it about Cato June that allows him to excel in a 'Cover-2' defense when he's considered to be undersized in just about any other kind of defense?"
I'm sure it would be a pretty massive project, but I don't think there's a book out there right now like it. Imagine a tome that would define every offensive system and defensive system - or at least those most prevalent in the NFL - and then define every position within those systems. Like "Pro Football Weekly's" draft publications, it would have a big glossary in the back. A book that would allow a fan to, after reading it, look at a given free agent pool and draft class and say with some authority "Player X" would be a great fit for my favorite team, but "Player Y" would probably wind up being a bust."
Any thoughts?
Thanx,
Erik
How much more detailed am I talking about? Well, for example, how about being able to answer questions like "What exactly is meant by the 'West Coast offense?" or "What exactly is meant by a 'three technique' defensive tackle?" or "What's the difference between an 'X' and 'Z' receiver?" or "Why can undersized offensive linemen thrive in Denver Bronco-style zone-blocking schemes but struggle in other schemes?" or "What is it about Cato June that allows him to excel in a 'Cover-2' defense when he's considered to be undersized in just about any other kind of defense?"
I'm sure it would be a pretty massive project, but I don't think there's a book out there right now like it. Imagine a tome that would define every offensive system and defensive system - or at least those most prevalent in the NFL - and then define every position within those systems. Like "Pro Football Weekly's" draft publications, it would have a big glossary in the back. A book that would allow a fan to, after reading it, look at a given free agent pool and draft class and say with some authority "Player X" would be a great fit for my favorite team, but "Player Y" would probably wind up being a bust."
Any thoughts?
Thanx,
Erik
This would be fantastic, Erik. I could even benefit from some of that I am sure!
You are hereby anointed the author-to-be of said tome.
QUOTE (COLTSFAN21 @ Jul 7 2008, 1:47:31 PM)
I just noticed it doesn't display my results, I got a 53...
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