The Blind Side

I just got finished reading The Blind Side:Evaluation of a Game by Michael Lewis. I give it two thumbs up!! (It came to me highly recommended from my long time buddy Josh S.)

The book covers two topics. First, Lewis discusses the impacts Lawrence Taylor and Steve Walsh had on the NFL. Walsh's impact on the offensive strategy of increased passing and Taylor's (and players like him) impact on the passing game. Walsh's answer to Taylor was by improved play and importance of the left tackle (protecting the passer's blind side).

Second, Lewis discusses the story of Michael Oher. Oher was a homeless inner city kid from Memphis that through complete chance ends up being adopted by a rich white Memphis family. As Oher's life in a white Memphis christian school crosses paths with Tom Lemming (major national football scout for both college and pros) Michael's life completely changes. Lewis discusses Oher's recruitment by all of the country's highest profile college football programs. Interesting in the discussion is the different recruiting styles demonstrated by Oher's biggest suitors (Saban at LSU (just before he jumps to Miami), Cutliff/Orgeron at Ole Miss, and Fulmer at Tennesse).

Oher is now the starting left tackle at Ole Miss...