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Post by tripsclosed on Apr 23, 2024 16:47:32 GMT -6
Looks like Smart Football.com has bit the dust. RIP to a legendary resource that has helped so many!
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Post by silkyice on Apr 23, 2024 19:19:55 GMT -6
Looks like Smart Football.com has bit the dust. RIP to a legendary resource that has helped so many! boo |
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Post by brophy on Apr 24, 2024 7:13:00 GMT -6
What more can be said about that site and its impact on the sport?
I wonder how many coaches got their start / inspired from Chris Brown's website. For me, its the gold standard of sports writing that hasn't been matched since. Be sure to buy the two Smartfootball books to at least pass on to other younger coaches.
Not only did Chris raise the bar way above any heralded "sports writers" in his analysis and writing style, but he kept readers engaged with his content. He didn't rely on gimmicks. He didn't sell out to click-bait and load it down with revenue-generating garbage. He was the George Plimpton of the new millennium.
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Post by jgordon1 on Apr 24, 2024 8:49:12 GMT -6
Sorry to see it go I am glad I have my own smartfootball 3 ring binder
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Post by hlb2 on Apr 24, 2024 11:22:02 GMT -6
Me too. What happened?!
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CoachK
Sophomore Member
Posts: 185 
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Post by CoachK on Apr 24, 2024 11:49:11 GMT -6
It hasn't been updated in years, he probably let the domain rights lapse.
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Post by nhsehs on Apr 24, 2024 13:59:27 GMT -6
Was instrumental in my early years of coaching. Can’t thank Chris enough for the work he did with that site.
Think this calls for a Huey gathering at the derby party!
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Post by tripsclosed on Apr 24, 2024 14:28:51 GMT -6
Was instrumental in my early years of coaching. Can’t thank Chris enough for the work he did with that site. Think this calls for a Huey gathering at the derby party! Yup. Don't know if I would still be in coaching if it weren't for Smart Football. It helped lay the groundwork and opened my eyes to so many different things in football early on and at later stages as well. Not to mention all of Chris' outstanding posts on this site over the years |
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Post by spreadattack on Apr 24, 2024 16:25:06 GMT -6
thank you for the eulogies! But not to put a damper but there are some known issues and I am working with a developer (who has been slow) to fix it up and modernize it, and also hopefully be there for more posts. I was hoping it would have been done earlier in 2024 but hope is it will be updated in the coming weeks/months, and then would work long term. But the old site was so old and barely worked with browsers and had some hacker issues.
(I may even write a bit -- and recruit some other writers -- so fingers crossed!)
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CoachK
Sophomore Member
Posts: 185
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Post by CoachK on Apr 24, 2024 17:05:57 GMT -6
That's great news, what a resource you cultivated.
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Post by tog on Apr 24, 2024 23:13:04 GMT -6
thank you for the eulogies! But not to put a damper but there are some known issues and I am working with a developer (who has been slow) to fix it up and modernize it, and also hopefully be there for more posts. I was hoping it would have been done earlier in 2024 but hope is it will be updated in the coming weeks/months, and then would work long term. But the old site was so old and barely worked with browsers and had some hacker issues. (I may even write a bit -- and recruit some other writers -- so fingers crossed!) good to hear I remember your early years on here asking stuff, fun times |
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Post by spreadattack on Apr 25, 2024 7:16:32 GMT -6
thank you for the eulogies! But not to put a damper but there are some known issues and I am working with a developer (who has been slow) to fix it up and modernize it, and also hopefully be there for more posts. I was hoping it would have been done earlier in 2024 but hope is it will be updated in the coming weeks/months, and then would work long term. But the old site was so old and barely worked with browsers and had some hacker issues. (I may even write a bit -- and recruit some other writers -- so fingers crossed!) good to hear I remember your early years on here asking stuff, fun times I learned (and continue to learn) an enormous amount from the people on this forum |
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Post by jgordon1 on Apr 25, 2024 13:24:43 GMT -6
thank you for the eulogies! But not to put a damper but there are some known issues and I am working with a developer (who has been slow) to fix it up and modernize it, and also hopefully be there for more posts. I was hoping it would have been done earlier in 2024 but hope is it will be updated in the coming weeks/months, and then would work long term. But the old site was so old and barely worked with browsers and had some hacker issues. (I may even write a bit -- and recruit some other writers -- so fingers crossed!) good to hear I remember your early years on here asking stuff, fun times The Good Ole Days before Twitter |
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Post by brophy on Apr 26, 2024 5:23:32 GMT -6
I'm not wrong in believing "smartfootball" is the blueprint for what serious sports enthusiasts desire and shapes the current landscape of successful sports (football) coverage.
Before the rise of the Blog, there was only print media. Sports Illustrated had "Dr.Z" who provided insider information with a hint of historical context. That was relegated to the back of the magazine for a brief column. Any other insightful commentary required a pampered journalist to Hunter S. Thompson embed with a coaching staff for a special expose that merely teased at providing an education. The only other medium close would've been Fox NFL coverage including segment filler of Howie Long or Matt Millen illustrating technique or route concepts for a 5 minute piece.
What Chris did was pioneered meathead intellectualism. He provided historical context, game application and effect and true analytical assessments, without ever taking himself too seriously.
The "industry" never was lacking in sophomoric slapdick humor or low brow hero worship. Brown's writing single handedly elevated how the game was presented. It took "football talk" to the adults table. A wave of new school "analysts" emerged from HIS model, like Grantland, Matt Bowen, etc and a completely new industry emerged. IMO thats where shows like Pat McAfee spawned from.....understanding the viewer wants more insight, but where these fail is they rely too much on entertainment/sideshow elements in lieu of actual content. Chris never did, even in his short form punchlists.
So just like how smartfootball posts would provide CONTEXT behind a concept, its important to recognize the significance behind what Brown accomplished. Cheers to whatever/where ever he plans to take it next
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