Recipe Timeout: Mouth-Watering Meat Pie

Today’s recipe is great because it combines two things many Americans love:  meat and pie!  You can also experiment with how you want to make it, since you can’t really screw it up.  I offer two choices of method, and suggest two different cheeses, but I’m sure you can come up with other variations on your own.

Ingredients

1.5 lbs. ground beef

8 oz. cheese—I like crumbled blue cheese, or shredded cheddar

One package (4 count) Pillsbury® Crescent Rolls

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°.

Season beef with salt and pepper or other seasoning, if desired.  To cook the ground beef, either:  (1) divide the meat in half and form them into patties (one with a depression in the center); or (2) brown the ground beef as you would making tacos.  Either way, drain the grease when the beef is cooked.

Lightly grease a 9-inch pie pan.  Unroll the Crescent Rolls and divide them in half.  Do not form them into the Crescents.  Spread half of the dough to cover the bottom of the pan, and halfway up the sides. 

If you formed the beef into patties, place the patty with the depression in the pan first.  Then, place half of your cheese on top of the patty.  Stack the second patty on top, then spread the rest of the cheese on top of the second patty.  If you browned the ground beef into small pieces, mix all of your cheese with the browned beef in the skillet.  Pour the mixture into the pie pan.

Spread the remainder of the Crescent dough on top, making sure it meets the bottom layer of dough at the sides of the pan.

Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until dough is cooked (inserted toothpick comes out clean).

Slice and serve.  Enjoy!

NFL Week 9 Under-the-Radar Games to Watch

Compared to the past few weeks, Week 9 in the NFL has plenty to talk about when it comes to this Sunday’s games.  There are big division battles between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC North) and the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills (AFC East); the New York Giants and New England Patriots play at 4:15 ET in a rematch of Super Bowl XLII; and the undefeated Green Bay Packers face the San Diego Chargers in what is expected to be a big matchup between the Packers’ high-flying offense and the Chargers’ decent pass defense.

This week, though, Naptime Huddle wants to focus on a couple of other division matchups that most of the media is glazing over (not that I really blame them), but that are interesting nonetheless.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3) @ New Orleans Saints (5-3) (1:00 PM ET, FOX) 

This game is interesting for its implications in the NFC South.  That division is currently a three-way race between 2010’s Super Bowl champion Saints, the Bucs and the Atlanta Falcons, who are experiencing a mid-season surge, winning three of its last four games, including its last two.  The Falcons play the rudderless Colts this week, so the division race should be even closer after this weekend.  The Saints suffered a shocking defeat last week against the then-winless St. Louis Rams, so they should be playing angry on Sunday.  The Rams’ surprising win was due in part on the ability its running back, Steven Jackson, to run through the Saints defense, which ranks 24th in defending the run.  Tampa Bay might emulate the Rams’ strategy this week, especially since QB Josh Freeman is coming off a terrible game against the Chicago Bears in Week 7, when he was intercepted four times.  Despite that performance, though, Freeman and the Bucs are 12th in the league in passing.  Will the Buccaneers play it safe and run the ball, or will they show some faith in their third-year QB and put the ball in the air?

St. Louis Rams (1-6) @ Arizona Cardinals (1-6) (4:15 PM ET, FOX)

This is a battle in the league’s basement division, the NFC West.  Believe it or not, either one of these teams, with just one win each, can take second place in the division with a win.  Embattled Arizona QB Kevin Kolb is listed as “questionable” this week with a nagging turf toe injury.  With some Cardinals’ fans screaming for Kolb to ride the bench, if backup QB John Skelton starts, will he make a case for a permanent move to starter?  On the Rams side, will they need Alka Seltzer in their Gatorade for a hangover from their improbable victory against the Saints, or will the emotional high of last week carry over to this week?  One interesting game strategy point:  the Rams are dead last—yep, 32nd in the league—in run defense; the Cardinals are 30th in passing defense.  Therefore, you would expect the Cardinals to run and the Rams to throw.  However, the Rams got their first win running the ball (Steven Jackson had the second best stats among running backs in Week 8) and the Cardinals’ only win, in Week 1, came through the air—Kevin Kolb had a more-than-respectable outing, throwing for 309 yards and two touchdowns.  Will the victor in this battle win the way it’s “supposed to,” or will it just win by any means necessary?

For all you fantasy owners, the following teams are on a break this week (it’s not you, it’s them):  Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars and the Minnesota Vikings.

Offense Formations, Part 2

Today, the rest of the basic (and not-so-basic) offensive formations (click here for yesterday’s post in case you missed it):

EMPTY BACKFIELD

This is just what it sounds like—other than the quarterback, there are no players in the “backfield,” the area behind the line of scrimmage.  The quarterback can either be under center or further back, as in the shotgun formation.  As you might imagine, this formation is used primarily in passing situations.

GOAL LINE

When the offense has a short distance to gain, either for a first down or a touchdown, it will often line up with no players in the backfield, or only one player with the quarterback to help block.  Often the offense will use extra tight ends because of their strength.  Sometimes, the player behind the line of scrimmage with the QB will be an offensive or defensive lineman and is there to block.  The play will typically be a hand-off to the running back, or a quarterback “sneak” where the QB keeps the ball and pushes forward through a hole created by the offensive line.

Though this formation results in a running play 99% of the time, it is possible to pass to one of the tight ends, as in two of the New England Patriots’ Super Bowls, where they used linebacker Mike Vrabel as a tight end, and he caught passes for touchdowns. 

DOUBLE WING

If you look at the picture below, you’ll see why this is called the “double wing.”  The quarterback is under center with one fullback behind him; there is a tight end on each end of the line with additional receivers bookending the line, but stepped slightly behind the line of scrimmage.  The result looks like a bird’s wings; this is used often for running plays.

SINGLE SET BACK

The Single Set Back formation leaves just one running back lined up five yards behind the quarterback; the quarterback is under center.  The other “skill” players (e.g., wide receivers or tight ends) are lined up along the line of scrimmage.  Primarily used for pass plays, this formation can be useful for runs because one defender will have to move out of the center of the field to cover a receiver, so the running back could have more space to run.

 

WILDCAT

The Wildcat formation has been used primarily at the college level, but has gained popularity in the NFL since the Miami Dolphins had a lot of success with it in 2008.  You might consider this a type of trick play, but only insofar as it is rare and unexpected.  However, once the offense lines up in this formation, the defense can expect certain things to happen.  On these plays, the running back takes the place of the quarterback and lines up in the shotgun.  The quarterback actually lines up at the line of scrimmage as a receiver, with three or four other receivers; there are usually no players in the back field other than the one running back.  The running back takes the snap and either runs with it himself or throws it to a receiver. 

 

Obviously, a team needs a running back with the ability to throw the ball well to use this play.  The quarterback might not even run downfield when the play starts, but some QBs, like Michael Vick in Philadelphia, have enough talent to be treated seriously by the defense as a potential receiver.

Offense Formations, Part 1

Today’s lesson is Part One of a two-parter on offensive formations.  There are several ways that the offense can arrange its players on each play.  Generally speaking, as long as it obeys two rules, the offense can put players anywhere it wants along and behind the line of scrimmage.  Those two rules are:  (1) there can be no more than eleven players; and (2) there must be at least seven players in position on the line of scrimmage.

That being said, here are a few of the possibilities for the offense:

“I” Formation

The “I” formation is very simple, and very common in football.  The quarterback stands directly behind the center (known as being “under center”), and two running backs, the fullback (the one closer to the QB) and halfback, are lined up behind the quarterback (the first picture).  As a variation, the fullback can be lined up slightly to one side of the “I” or the other (the second and third pictures).

Pro Set

A Pro Set formation looks very much like the “I”, but the running backs are on the same horizontal line (or “split”) behind the quarterback, instead of being in a vertical line behind him. 

“T” Formation

You don’t see this one in the pros very often, but the “T” is one of the older formations.  The QB is under center again, but he has three running backs lined up in a row behind him, and two tight ends (or one wide receiver and a tight end), one on each end of the offensive line.

 Shotgun

The Shotgun is used primarily in passing plays.  Instead of being under center, the QB stands about five yards behind the center and will catch the ball in the air instead of being handed the ball by the center.  This allows the quarterback to have a better view of the defense and his receivers as they proceed down the field.  He also has a little more time to find an open receiver and throw the ball since there is a little more space between him and the rushing defensive lineman.  The offense can arrange its receivers and running backs in a variety of ways, but there is usually a running back standing next to the QB.  The running back can take a handoff from the QB and run with the ball, or he can be used as another blocker to protect the quarterback.

Pistol

If the Shotgun and the “I” had a baby, it would look like the Pistol.  Instead of standing five yards behind the center, the quarterback is a little closer, maybe three yards behind him.  And instead of the running back standing next to the quarterback, he is behind him.  The Pistol can be used in running plays or with the option, which is when the QB runs with the ball and either keeps it or pitches it back to a running back.

Wishbone

The Wishbone is a variation of the “T” and the basis for its name should be clear from the picture below.  In this formation, the offense uses three running backs:  a fullback who is standing directly behind the quarterback; and two halfbacks, who are split behind the fullback.  This is usually used on running plays, with two tight ends in this formation as well, one on each end of the offensive line; there can also be one tight end and one wide receiver, or two wide receivers.

October Quiz Answers

How do you think you did on October's quiz?  See the answers, and our grading scale, below...

1.  What is the difference between a “forward pass” and a “lateral”?

A FORWARD PASS is when a player throws the ball to a player down the field, or at least in the direction of the line of scrimmage.  A LATERAL is when a player throws the ball to a player who is next to or behind him.

 

2.  What linebacker is famous for his toothless grin and the quote “Quarterbacks should wear dresses”?

JACK LAMBERT, Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-1984)

 

3.  What do you call the space between the offensive and defensive line that measures the length of the football?

THE NEUTRAL ZONE

4.  Which of the following fouls involve blocks below the waist?

(a)   Clipping

(b)   Tripping

(c)   Crackback

(d)   Chop Block

(e)   All of the above

ALL OF THE ABOVE

5.  Which trick play involves a receiver pitching the ball back to a teammate immediately after he catches it (and what is another name for it)?

HOOK AND LATERAL OR HOOK AND LADDER

6.  What linebacker ended the career of Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann when he broke the QB’s leg during a Monday Night Football game in 1985?

LAWRENCE TAYLOR (New York Giants, 1981-1993)

7.  Which trick play is rumored to have been developed by legendary University of Michigan coach Fielding H. Yost?

STATUE OF LIBERTY

8.  Which of the following types of plays involves a wide receiver running behind the line of scrimmage toward the opposite sideline, taking the ball from the QB when he passes him?

(a)   Sweep

(b)   End-around

(c)    Bootleg

(d)   Reverse

END-AROUND:  Remember, it isn’t a reverse until the receiver laterals the ball to another teammate who is running in the opposite direction, toward the other sideline.

9.  TRUE or FALSE:   A team can have 12 players in the huddle as long as one of the players gets off the field before lining up for the next play.

FALSE:  It is illegal to have 12 players in the huddle and costs the offending team five yards.

10. For what period of time on game days do the NFL’s uniform rules apply?

FROM PRE-GAME WARM-UPS TO 90 MINUTES AFTER THE GAME

BONUS QUESTION:

Where did I get the Cinnamon Snails recipe?

SIXTH GRADE HOME ECONOMICS CLASS

Check your score against our grading scale:

0-2: Fair Weather Fan (You know we post more than recipes, right?)

3-5: Equipment Manager (I like my water with ice.)

6-8: First Round Draft Pick (But don't get cocky...)

9-10: Head Coach (Maybe you should write this thing!)

October Quiz

So, were you sewing your Angry Birds costume while reading Naptime Huddle?  Think you were paying attention?  Test yourself with our monthly quiz.  You’ll find answers in the October posts…not that you need to look!

1.  What is the difference between a “forward pass” and a “lateral”?

 

2.  What linebacker is famous for his toothless grin and the quote “Quarterbacks should wear dresses”?

 

3.  What do you call the space between the offensive and defensive line that is the length of the football?

 

4.  Which of the following fouls involve blocks below the waist?

(a)   Clipping

(b)   Tripping

(c)    Crackback

(d)   Chop Block

(e)   All of the above

5.  Which trick play involves a receiver pitching the ball back to a teammate immediately after he catches it (and what is another name for it)?

6.  What linebacker ended the career of Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann when he broke the QB’s leg during a Monday Night Football game in 1985?

7.  Which trick play is rumored to have been developed by legendary University of Michigan coach Fielding H. Yost?

8.  Which of the following involves a wide receiver running behind the line of scrimmage toward the opposite sideline, taking the ball from the QB when he passes him?

(a)    Sweep

(b)   End-around

(c)    Bootleg

(d)   Reverse

9.  TRUE or FALSE:   A team can have 12 players in the huddle as long as one of the players gets off the field before lining up for the next play.

10. For what period of time on game days do the NFL’s uniform rules apply?

BONUS QUESTION:

Where did I get the Cinnamon Snails recipe?

Tricks ARE Treats: The Direct Snap and 2007 Fiesta Bowl

Today we wrap up our series on trick plays with perhaps the simplest of all:  the direct snap.  Then, we’ll take a partial review of our October tricks with a look at a college game that showcased three of them.

The Direct Snap

As you know, on a typical play, the center snaps the ball to the quarterback, who either:  (1) keeps the ball and runs with it; (2) hands it to a running back who runs with it; or (3) passes it to a receiver (a wide receiver or tight end).  With a direct snap, the center snaps the ball directly to the player who is to be the ball carrier, usually the running back.  That player either takes off with the ball, or he might toss it back to the QB for a flea flicker.

This is effective because it eliminates the time it takes for the quarterback to look for, and transfer the ball to, a teammate.  The defense counts on this delay, and uses that time to try and break up the play before the QB can get rid of the ball.  With a direct snap, the defense doesn’t have time to react to the offense and the ball carrier has the opportunity to make a big gain.

The direct snap is simple, but the offense can add another wrinkle to confuse the defense further.  One option is for the quarterback to pretend that the snap has come to him but something has gone wrong.  He can do this by leaping up as if the ball went over his head, or by searching the ground as if the ball is rolling around loose.  If the QB is convincing, the defense will try to recover the loose ball for a turnover while the runner is taking off with the ball.

Another bit of acting you might see is the quarterback leaving his place behind the center and walking toward the sideline as if to talk to the coaches.  If he does this, the defense will relax, expecting a time out to be called by the offense.  As the QB walks away, the ball is then snapped to the running back.  Why is this legal, you ask?  Under the rules, the offense can have one player behind the line of scrimmage that is “in motion” before the ball is snapped.  As long as that player does not move toward the line of scrimmage, and the rest of the offense stays completely motionless, the play is legal.

The 2007 Fiesta Bowl

I want to revisit the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, which I used as an example for a Statue of Liberty play.  This game, between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Boise State Broncos, was hotly contested and will forever be considered one of the closest and most exciting games in college football.  It is also interesting for the fact that Boise State used not only the Statue of Liberty play, but two other trick plays in its final efforts to win the game in overtime, 43 to 42.  Here they are in one clip: starting with a hook and lateral with 18 seconds left in the fourth quarter; then a halfback pass in overtime; and finally, the Statue of Liberty for a two-point conversion to win the game:

Well, I hope you enjoyed our look at trick plays this month, and I especially wish you and safe and happy Halloween!