FanPost

Thinking about Stamina, Conditioning and the 24 second clock.

I have been perplexed and disappointed somewhat by players signaling the sidelines asking to be removed from the game. When I was growing up guys never asked to come out of the game. For a couple of reasons. In this sport where big money can be made, you know without a doubt that somebody wants your job. That was my dream as a kid, be like Jim Lynch and Chuck Howley. You absolutely, never saw them leave the game unless they were injured. Another reason is that cutting the time between plays from 45 seconds to 24 changed the game in more ways than than one.

With all the substitution offenses and play packages, most of these situational players are conditioned for short, but extreme exertions for 4-6 seconds. Kinda makes your respect for CB's rise when you realize the good ones stay in the game. Also why playmakers are in such great demand. These guys are trained to play in short bursts to maximize their speed and quickness. If they burn up stamina and need a blow to maintain the edge that they've been conditioned for, they are coached to take a blow by asking out. Because when you need a big play you want fresh legs.

The 24 second clock has been around for awhile. How would you feel, as a player, knowing you only would get so many plays a game. What else am I missing? There's gotta be a book about football that is comprehensive around somewhere. Anybody got an idea and help me find some wintertime reading? Go Chief's!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.