Good morning, Dungeon.
The offseason is upon us, which means we are all collectively pretending that baseball, golf, and whatever ESPN is showing at 2 a.m. can fill the void. But let’s be real, nothing quite replaces the energy of football season.
So, I figured I would ask. What do you do to get yourself in football mode? Do you have any rituals, traditions, or absurdly superstitious habits that you swear make a difference?
For me, it starts with recording games. In the first few weeks, I become a full-time football archivist, recording matchups for every team we will be facing so I can get a feel for what we might be up against. I also throw in random interesting games just to round it out. By the time I am done, I have about a dozen games per week lined up. I watch a game or two each day, turning my living room into a miniature film study. I don't actually take notes or write anything down, but you get the point
Of course, I also record all of UCF’s games. I watch them live, but then I rewatch them the next day like a detective combing through evidence. Sometimes this is painful, but it is a tradition at this point. I always miss the subtle nuances of the game, especially home games after a full day of tailgating where my attention span is slightly compromised by the amount of grilled meats and beverages I consumed.
So, what do you do to prepare for the season? Do you start breaking down film? Do you draft way too early in fantasy football? Do you begin mentally preparing for the stress that will inevitably come with watching your team? Share your traditions. I want to hear them.
The offseason is upon us, which means we are all collectively pretending that baseball, golf, and whatever ESPN is showing at 2 a.m. can fill the void. But let’s be real, nothing quite replaces the energy of football season.
So, I figured I would ask. What do you do to get yourself in football mode? Do you have any rituals, traditions, or absurdly superstitious habits that you swear make a difference?
For me, it starts with recording games. In the first few weeks, I become a full-time football archivist, recording matchups for every team we will be facing so I can get a feel for what we might be up against. I also throw in random interesting games just to round it out. By the time I am done, I have about a dozen games per week lined up. I watch a game or two each day, turning my living room into a miniature film study. I don't actually take notes or write anything down, but you get the point
Of course, I also record all of UCF’s games. I watch them live, but then I rewatch them the next day like a detective combing through evidence. Sometimes this is painful, but it is a tradition at this point. I always miss the subtle nuances of the game, especially home games after a full day of tailgating where my attention span is slightly compromised by the amount of grilled meats and beverages I consumed.
So, what do you do to prepare for the season? Do you start breaking down film? Do you draft way too early in fantasy football? Do you begin mentally preparing for the stress that will inevitably come with watching your team? Share your traditions. I want to hear them.
