I just got back from a fun-filled weekend with my dear friend Mark Zarb. The focal point of the trip was the Monday Night Football game between the Jets and Bears; however, there was still plenty of time to get in a game of APBA Football. Since I never had the chance to use the 1972 card set, I thought it would be appropriate to play a game between the Jets and Bears in preparation for the evening’s actual game. The game played out as follows:

Chicago 38, New York 14 – At Soldier Field, capacity attendance. The Chicago Bears averaged 6.6 yards per carry and rushed for a whopping 317 yards. Jim Harrison gained 100 yards on 18 carries but the star of the game was Bobby Douglass. Bobby completed 8 of 14 pass attempts for 122 yards with one interception; however, he killed New York with his legs. He ran 15 times for 134 yards with three touchdowns. After Chicago posted 21 points in the second quarter, New York was forced to scrap a balanced attack and rely on Joe Namath’s right arm. Broadway Joe chucked the ball 41 times and completed 18 passes for 304 yards with 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.

                                Chicago                7              21           10           0             – 38

                                New York             0              7              0              7            – 14

                Chi – Douglass 1 run (Percival kick)

               Chi – Shy 4 run (Percival kick)

               Chi – Douglass 11 run (Percival kick)

               Chi – Douglass 19 run (Percival kick)

               NY – Barkum 61 pass from Namath (Howfield kick)

               Chi – FG Percival 21

                Chi – Shy 2 run (Percival kick)

                NY – Caster 23 pass from Namath (Howfield kick)

Now I don’t know if the “table-top game” set the tone for the actual game, but Geno throwing a “pick six” just as we took our seats, a muffed punt, horrible officiating, and failing to score more than one touchdown in seven “Red Zone” trips might have had something to do with it. The guys sitting behind us must have thought we were nuts because we would be correlating APBA Football “Play Result Numbers” to the action on the field. For example, Chris Ivory picked up 14 yards on an outside run and we both look at each other and said “16”. Fun stuff!!

Regardless of the outcome of either game, I had an incredible visit with my “APBA Football Brother”.

I don’t address how I handle the final “two-minutes” of the fourth quarter in my “Method of Play” presentation. I adhere to the “Timing Adjustments” outlined in Section II. paragraph D. of the Master game rule book. The first play after 26 plays have been completed in the second and fourth quarters is annotated as a half play and completions of 9-yards or less the intended receiver went out of bounds for a half play. During the final two-minutes of the first half, I adhere to my “Method of Play” techniques.

A. If the offensive team has the lead and is attempting to run out the clock in the final two-minutes of the fourth quarter, I refer to “3^rd or 4^th & 1” of the “Situational Down and Distance” chart to determine the defensive alignment against a called running play regardless of the down. This is to simulate the defense playing “Cover 0” to stop the run at all cost but allows for “blown gap control” which can occur.

• Defense in “D” on dice roll 11
• Defense in “S” on dice roll 12-24
• Defense in “G” on dice roll 26-66
• Defense “keyed” runner on dice roll 64-66.

If the offense calls a “Pass” play, I will refer to “Fletch67” to determine defensive alignment on neutral downs and “Situational Down and Distance” chart for situational downs.   

B. If the offensive team is trailing by 3 points or less during the final two-minutes of the fourth quarter, I do not deviate from my “Method of Play” techniques.

C. If the offensive team is trailing by 4 points or less during the final two-minutes of the fourth quarter, the following actions are taken to simulate a “Bend but Don’t Break” defensive philosophy while the offense has the ball in their own territory and a more aggressive “Attack” style once the offense approaches the “Red Zone”. First, the offense is automatically in a 3-WR set (post 82 seasons) and the defense is in their “Dime” package. I adhere to the “reduction” rule, even for pre-1982 seasons. Defensive indexes will be determined as follows against called “PASS” plays:

• First and Second Down:
  • Defense in “D” on dice roll 11-43
  • Defense in “S” on dice roll 44-65
  • Defense in “G” on dice roll 66
• Third or Fourth Down:
  • Defense in “D” on dice roll 11-53
  • Defense in “S” on dice roll 54-63
  • Defense in “G” on dice roll 64-66

Between Offensive Team’s 14 yard line and goal line

• Offense can’t call a “Run” play.
• No blitzes.
• No audibles.

Between Defense Team’s 31 and Offense Teams 15 Yard line

• Offense can’t call a “Run” play.
• No blitzes.
• No audibles.

Between Defense Teams 10 and 30 Yard lines

• If Defense is in “D” alignment, roll additional dice:
  • Dice roll 1 thru 5 – No Blitz
  • Dice roll 6 – Blitz
• Audible is allowed only if offense has one remaining and are in possession of at least one timeout
• Offense can’t call a “Run Play”, however, it can occur off an audible.

Between Defensive Team’s Goal Line and 9 Yard Line

o   Adhere to “Method of Play” techniques for neutral and situational downs.

Upon completion of my current project, I will replay the 1985 NFL season. The replay will consist of 224 regular season games, 8 playoff games and Super Bowl XX for a total of 233 games.

This season has always been one of my favorite seasons for a multitude of reasons. First, I was 22 years old and was transferred to Ramstein Air Base, Germany a few weeks prior to the season beginning. I had no idea at the time that I wouldn’t see American soil again for 8 years but enjoyed every second of living abroad. I can remember standing guard in front of storage igloos hiding my small transistor radio while I listened to my beloved Jets on the Armed Forces Network (AFN). I can still hear the commentator say “Freeman McNeil can cut on a dime and leave you 9-cents change”!   As a devout Jets fan, I truly believe that next to the 1968 Jets, this was the best squad “Gang Green” ever fielded. They had the 4^th ranked offense, highlighted by Ken O’Brien, the league’s top-rated passer, Freeman McNeil the AFC’s second leading rusher and a rookie wide receiver named Al Toon. On the other side of the ball, Bud Carson’s defense was 3^rd in points allowed, 8^th in yardage and had the 3^rd best rush defense in the league. I can still see consensus All-Pro, Joe Klecko, manning the nose at a slant and perennially Pro-Bowler, Mark Gastineau, posting another double digit sack total.

Several years ago, I replayed the 1985 Jets season and although the statistics were not bad, I was not overly impressed with the set. For one they beat the Bears and that should NEVER have happened. Truth be told, I’ve never cared for the APBA sets of the early and mid”80s” and have since sold all of mine.

So that begs the question, how can I replay this fine season if I no longer have the cards? Well to borrow a classic quote from John F. Kennedy, “I have an ace in the hole”. That ace is my APBA Football Brother and very dear friend, Mr. Mark Zarb. After our visit this past March, he began carding this season for me. Being a perfectionist, he has implemented “Lessons Learned” from his past sets to create what I believe will be his “signature set”. Now, I’m in no way implying the he is back in the card business because he is not. With that said, here is an excerpt from an email that I received from him:

“Brother, I’m just putting the finishing touches on the 1985 set we talked about when I was down in Huntsville. I think you will find this set a significant upgrade from the original APBA set and even an upgrade from some of my previous sets. I’ve always appreciated the thoughtful way you have used those sets giving me a testing ground that few other card makers have. So, please accept this 1985 set as a token of my appreciation for your efforts and more importantly for your friendship. The set will be the one and only of its kind and I look forward to following along when you get around to playing with it.”

Anyone who cares about the growth of APBA Football owes a debt of gratitude to Ray Dunlap. Ray worked tirelessly throughout the weekend drumming up interest in APBA Football. Upon my arrival at the convention late Friday afternoon, the first thing I saw before entering the tournament area was a stack of flyers outlining our intentions of promoting alternative techniques for playing solo. I was unable to go say “hi” for a good 45-minutes because he was too busy demonstrating his “Match-Up” system to a handful of people. During Friday night’s induction ceremony, Ray manned the podium and discussed the greatness of APBA Football when played face-to-face and how the “out of box” solo experience pales in comparison. He then cordially invited anyone who was interested in learning two superior alternatives to stop by the “Football Station” and see for themselves. Throughout the weekend, I watched Ray patiently explain and demonstrate his system to over 25 individuals.

Now I don’t want to give the impression that I was sitting on my hands but the truth of the matter is, his system is better for teaching folks who have never played or have been absent from the game for a number of years. My “Method of Play” is geared for the accomplished player, it’s the equivalent of a “graduate” course in APBA Football solitaire.

Throughout the weekend, we both fielded several questions and provided step-by-step instruction on playing techniques and innovations. I truly believe our presence at the convention got APBA Football “in the door” and will lead to bigger and better things in the future.

With the APBA Convention only two weeks away, I wanted to provide an update regarding the status of the 8-person, single elimination Football tournament. If I was a betting man, I would wager that there would not be one. Several people have contacted me to inquire about the tournament but it conflicts with their ability to participate in the Baseball tournament. I completely understand and my intention was never to compete with the “Official” tournament but to have some type of Football presence at the convention and there will be. I’m very excited about attending the convention and not only meeting folks that I’ve corresponded with for years either on the Delphi forums or email but to be in a room filled with people who share the same passion for APBA regardless of the game being played.

Going through this process I realize the only way to ever have an APBA Football tournament type setting is if it is the only featured event. With that being said, my appreciation of Geoff Giordano’s “APBA Football Club (AFC)” has grown ten-fold. I’ve not spoken with him but I look forward to working with him to have another AFC sponsored event for either later this year or in 2015.

In closing, this is a real good time for APBA Football fans. Beginning this year you will be able to attend the APBA Convention and have the ability to play a pickup F-T-F game, watch demos or just talk APBA Football. You will also have the ability to attend an AFC sponsored “APBA Football” type event in the near future. If you are currently not a member of the AFC, I highly recommend you visit Geoff’s site (link on blogroll) and join the team.

As stated in the APBA Games Newsletter published today, the intent is to hold a single elimination, eight person APBA Football tournament at the convention this year. All rules associated with sections I and II of the APBA Pro Football Board Game Master Game Addition will be adhered to with the exception that player injuries will NOT carry over to the next game. Regardless, if there is a tournament or not, there will be plenty of time to talk about “APBA Football”, play pick up Face-to-Face games, observe Ray Dunlap demonstrate his famous “Match-up System”, discuss various innovations or be bored watching me play a quarter or two.

I’m trying to convince Denny Hodge to make the pilgrimage to Atlanta. Anyone who has ever visited the Delphi forums has read one of his many excellent replays. He is currently cranking out a 1966 NFL replay which is tremendous to follow. The single elimination tourney should be completed by midday Sunday which would leave Denny ample time to demonstrate or talk about his “Score and Store” creation. Trust me when I say that APBA Football has NOT seen anything like it to date and this is coming from a “pen and paper” guy.

My one regret is the convention falls on the same date as Geoff Giordano’s mother’s birthday. With this said, he most likely will not be able to attend the convention. In my humble opinion, Geoff has done more for the APBA Football community with his “APBA Football Club” on Facebook or the first class event he sponsored last August at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio than anyone I know.

In closing, please, email me at oguard62@yahoo.com if you are interested in playing in the tournament. Let me know what team you will be bringing to the tournament. At this time, the only team taken is the 1999 St. Louis Rams. One can always ask “Hall of Famer” Greg Wells how they stack up. I hope to hear from you soon.