SPORT LINKS

Sports TRAVEL

Books INDEX

 Total Football II (Total Football, 2nd Ed) 


At just over seven pounds, the updated Total Football II has the heft of a refrigerator and, at 1812 pages, it covers about as much ground as a scrambling quarterback. It has all the requisite stats that make a sports reference necessary, but that's just the straight-ahead stuff good for three yards a carry. Where Total Football II breaks free is in the razzle-dazzle of its essays and opinions. Argue with its list of the 300 best players ever (good as he is, shouldn't Terrell Davis have a few more seasons under his belt before "all-time" is stamped on his helmet?). Study how the game's strategies evolved, and learn how to read their diagrams. Even discover how to decipher the mysteries of what the quarterback means when he calls "Red right. Eighteen. Bob odd oh. On three" in the huddle, gets up to the line of scrimmage, and barks, "Pro. Blue 32. Blue 32. Down. Hut! (Pause) Hut! Hut!"
Football's blitz on the culture is covered in a series of smart essays that range from the mystique attending Super Bowl commercials to why football movies usually come up short. In a nifty examination of the game's penetration of the language, a scenario presents itself: "The average Joe woke up this morning, got into his car, found a seam in the northbound lane of the freeway, and drove to work. At his desk, he huddled with his coworkers, went over his game plan ..." and, well, you get the point. These are just some of the volume's many extra points, and it's the ingenuity of the extras that earn Total Football the right to celebrate in the end zone.

Perelman's College Football Companion

The all-in-one, easy-to-use and easy-to-carry compendium of everything you want to know about college football! In-depth coverage of all 113 Division I-A teams, complete with: schedules and outlook; coaching records; two-deep roster of every team; leading recruits expected to see action; summary team and individual statistics from last season's games. Other highlights for the 1999 edition include major all-time college game, season and career records, bowl, poll and trophy winners and a list of major milestones in collegiate football history. More than 100 photos of the nation's top returning players and coaches.

Sports Encyclopedia Pro Football 1999 (Annual)


Beginning in 1974, this book contains complete rosters and statistics for every player and every year, including the 1998 season and Super Bowl XXXIII in January 1999: John Elway's final game. It's features include:

--Complete rosters for every team, year by year
--Scores for every game played, 1974-1998
--Lifetime statistics for players
--Comprehensive leaders section in offense and defense categories
--Text recalling the great performances, key trades, and personalities
--Features on Hall-of-Famers
--Box scores and summaries for playoff games and Super Bowls.

All the great stories are here: the legendary players -- Taylor, Greene, Staubach, Stabler, Montana, Sanders, and the dream teams -- Noll's Steelers, Shula's Dolphins, Madden's Raiders, Ditka's Bears, Walsh's 49ers, and Johnson's Cowboys.

The Sporting News Pro Football Guide 1999 (Serial)

The Guide also previews the upcoming season with team-by-team and week-by-week schedules, rosters, draft lists, and more. The NFL's history is covered, with year-by-year standings and stat leaders, a Hall of Fame list, NFL records, and team-by-team data.