Diner morning news: Uncle Fred's theory - by Mike Lombardi

National Football Post

QUOTE: “Greatness is more than potential. It is the execution of that potential. Beyond the raw talent. You need the appropriate training. You need the discipline. You need the inspiration. You need the drive.” — Eric A. Burns, Gossamer Commons, Aug. 12, 2005

A new feature here at the Post is called, “Uncle Fred’s Friday Diner.” It will consist of a few menu items for your review. As I’ve mentioned before, the genesis of this idea comes from my Uncle Fred, who had a theory that I’ve quoted before— “The Uncle Fred Palermo Short Menu Theory.” This theory applies to my uncle’s view of restaurants, but I’ve stolen the idea for football. In case you missed the Palermo theory, here goes: Uncle Fred believed that any good restaurant had a small menu, his claim being that “they can’t cook everything good.” Therefore, football teams trying to run too many schemes will run none of them well. This principle works in every business—do a few things great.

In honor of all the great diners around the country, here is today’s menu list:

THE ROSIE DINER IN ROCKFORD, MICH. ... WHEN WILL THE LIONS GET THEIR FIRST WIN?

Dec. 23, 2007 was the last time the Detroit Lions organization celebrated a win, beating the Kansas City Chiefs. Their first chance in 2009 will come when the Lions open their season in New Orleans. Now, openers can always go either way; teams hide their schemes all summer long so that the element of surprise plays into winning. The best team doesn’t always win on opening day. However, being realistic, it will be hard to believe the Lions can keep pace with the powerful Saints offense.

How long will it take Stafford to get the Lions their first win?

The Lions will have a good handle on the Saints’ defense since head coach Jim Schwartz and new Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams worked together in Tennessee. A defensive scheme doesn’t slow down the Saints’ offense; a big physical defense does, but the Lions are neither big nor physical—yet. They’re a work in progress as a football team, so their first win might not happen on opening day, but they head back to Michigan for consecutive home games against the Vikings (with or without Brett Favre; is Childress back from fishing yet?) and the Redskins.

My best guess is the Lions will end their winning drought some time in September. Maybe their first win happens against the Favre-led Minnesota Vikings. Can you imagine the reaction if Favre comes back, takes over the starting job, then loses a game in Detroit to the winless Lions? This is not how Billy Chapel would have planned it. You can almost hear the Childress press conference now, how the Lions are vastly improved, how they are no pushover, how the season is still very young and how the Vikings are growing as a team.

I bet breakfast will be even better at Rosie’s if this happens.

HATTIE’S DINER IN BATH, N.Y. ... WILL BUFFALO’S OFFENSIVE LINE WORK?

One of my all-time favorite books is “Nobody’s Fool” by Richard Russo. The novel served as the basis for the movie of the same name, which starred the late, great Paul Newman. It revolves around a small town (North Bath, N.Y.), a diner (Hattie’s), a bar (the Iron Horse), and Newman, who plays a very likable, good-hearted person who has never seen his trifecta win. So Hattie’s serves as the backdrop to my Bills discussion.

With Peters now in Philly, how will the Bills protect Trent Edwards?

The Bills had a major makeover in their offensive line this offseason. The 2009 offensive line will feature everyone playing a new position. Former left tackle Langston Walker moves from right tackle to left tackle, former guard Brad Butler moves to right tackle and all the inside positions will be manned by new players. Radical changes to say the least. Can this all work? Can the Bills get this line playing in concert as the season opens in the competitive AFC East?

Walker’s move to left tackle is interesting. He has always battled weight problems, which affect his movement at times, but this big man is a very good athlete. He has the skill to play on the left side, although he doesn’t always compete for the entire game, resulting in some bad plays. Bad plays at left tackle can result in a quarterback getting hit or injured, and in turnovers. Walker is capable of handling the gig, but he needs to focus all game.

With a degree of uncertainty at left tackle, a huge degree at both guard positions (since the Bills are going to start two rookies), this line might take some time to find its niche. The only way to speed this process is if the offensive line is able to practice all summer. If the Bills are going to excel on the line, they must have a physical camp and make sure the players get all the practice reps (remember, training camp is a mathematical problem). The physical part of camp has never been a signature of a Dick Jauron-led team—this is not to imply that he’s soft, but rather that he wants to keep his team fresh for the season. This lack of contact approach to training camp will have to change if the Bills expect their line to function well in September. The Bills have to play eight straight games before their bye, so they won’t have an extra week of practice to work out the kinks.

One thing is for sure, the talk at Hattie’s this summer will be how the Bills’ offensive line looks in the preseason. They must have an injury-free camp in order to make this work.

THE TICK TOCK DINER IN CLIFTON, N.J. ... GOOD COACH, BAD QUARTERBACK, BAD COACH GOOD QUARTERBACK...

If the mythical Diner here at the National Football Post had a real home, it would be the Tick Tock Diner in Clifton, N.J. The Tick Tock has all the elements that make a great diner: good coffee, big meals, breakfast all the time and interesting people passing through its doors. Sports are the major talking point at the Tick Tock—not just local sports, but all sports.

So at the Tick Tock I’m going to develop a series of articles during camp centering on NFL coaches and quarterbacks. What happens when you get a good coach with a bad quarterback, or a great coach and a bad quarterback? Alternatively, do they both have to be great to win in the NFL? Did Bill Belichick of the Patriots prove something to all of us?

Is it the plan or the player? Stay tuned as we examine each team in the NFL. I would love to hear your suggestions on the subject. And yes, Bowen has already emailed me his thoughts on the Texans. Eight in the Box better have Erin Burnett today!

Have a great weekend, and make sure to read Sunday at the Post.

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