US Nike Football

AERIAL ATTACK

gabejazzy — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:05:16 GMT

Nobody brings it to Game Day like multi-platinum selling Lil Jon. With his unique signature crunk rock sound, Lil Jon’s “I Do” is a fast and aggressive track that plays hard right off the snap and straight through the whistle. Remixed with football star Matt Ryan, this Nike Sport Music track has a win-at-all-costs feel that will get you and your teammates pumped up for Game Day – anytime, every time. Just throw it on when you’re getting ready to throw it down.

ADRIAN’S ALTER EGO

BrandonKap — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:48:02 GMT

When Adrian Peterson is in the zone, anything can happen. And that usually isn’t good news for his opponents. Check out “Alter Ego,” the amazing new TV spot featuring “All Day” and introducing Nike Pro Combat.

A PERFECT CATCH

gabejazzy — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:21:17 GMT

Put crazy beats, crazy lyrics, and crazy talent together and you’ve got yourself the St. Lunatics. Hailing from St. Louis, this group of cool cats has been churning out hip-hop music since their inception in 1993. Now, with football megastar Larry Fitzgerald, St. Lunatics is back with insert track name, a flawless one-two punch of Dirty South cadences and Midwestern rhythms. Turn up the volume and give St. Lunatics a spin next Game Day. You’ll see. It’s going to get a little insane.

NOTHING BEATS WINNING

gabejazzy — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:20:57 GMT

Game Day isn’t the same without some Ace Hood up your sleeve. A football player-turned-rapper from Broward County, Florida, Ace goes back to his roots and gets Seattle’s T.J. Houshmandzadeh to share some vocal stylings on “Overtime”, a bone-crushing track that feels like a classic right out of the gate. Filled with heavy-hitting beats and equally relentless vocals, this tune grabs a hold of you from the first note in and doesn’t let go until the smoke has cleared. Keep this Nike Sport track by your side, both on and off the field. Welcome to “Overtime”.

MOVING THE PILE

gabejazzy — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:19:08 GMT

Straight from the heart of College Park comes an exclusive Nike Sport Music track from Playaz Circle called “Dufflebag Boy”. Featuring the ferocious “S-Jax”, this version of “Dufflebag Boy” has all the attitude of the original, but takes it to the next level with an extra hit of smash-mouth attitude. It’s the perfect blend of sophistication and confidence, two of the defining trademark qualities that underscore Playaz Circle songs. “Dufflebag Boy” taps into Game Day greatness and gives it more than a run for its money.

BOMB SQUAD READY TO BLOW UP

BrandonKap — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:32:31 GMT

They're six of the most dangerous hands men in pro football. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Jason Witten, Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson and Hines Ward. Each one lethal in his own way, and together an unstoppable force that you can call... The Bomb Squad. Or at least you can with this hot new throw-back poster from Nike Football that's now available for download as a wallpaper. The poster, reminiscent of the nickname-themed Nike pinups of the 80's, features our top-flight receivers set for serious action, ready to handle any bomb that comes their way.

The stakes are high for the Bomb Squad this year, and you know their expectations for themselves are even higher. So keep an eye out for these six now that the pads are popping, and keep an eye out for the poster as it hits Nike Stores and retailers across the country. But you don't have to wait to get a piece of the Bomb Squad. You can employ their services by downloading the wallpaper to you desktop now.

Get the Wallpaper >

KEEP YOUR HEAD HIGH

gabejazzy — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:20:37 GMT

As far The Veer Union is concerned, hope conquers all. No matter how tough the road has been, things will always get better if you just believe. This mindset permeates their music and songwriting, such as their guitar-powered, “Seasons” and its lyrical theme about seizing the day and making the most out of what you’ve got. Jason Witten, an opportunistic tight end who knows how to turn the smallest of advantages into large gains, joins The Veer Union on this amped-up track for an incendiary rock ride from start to finish. Just one more exclusive Nike Sport Music Game Day track to add to your growing collection of favorites.

PERFORMANCE IS EVERYTHING

gabejazzy — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:19:48 GMT

A guy with the name LA coming from the ATL isn’t what you’d call ordinary. But then again, Yung La’s music isn’t what you’d call ordinary either. Teaming up with the awe-inspiring Calvin Johnson, Yung La’s remixed “Ain’t I” delivers a smooth sound infused with a futuristic Hip Hop beat. From start to finish, the track is a flawless blend of swag and flavor, or “swavor”, as LA likes to call it (not very different from “Megatron’s” style of play). So stop reading and start listening. It’s time you throw on some headphones and see what Yung La’s “Aint I” is made of. Get ready for Game Day.

TURN UP THE ADRENALINE

gabejazzy — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:19:21 GMT

Never stop hustling. That’s the theme of the Birdman’s latest track, “Always Strapped”, and as far as workhorse Adrian Peterson goes, there couldn’t be a more perfect tune for his collaboration, or Game Day listening. With a relentless mix of sneering rock guitars, jabbing horns, and driving 808 drums, “Always Strapped” embodies the swagger-spirit of the Birdman’s native New Orleans with the relentless lyrical assault that the musician’s fans have grown to love and adore. Give the track a listen and hear the Nike Sport Music exclusive for yourself. If it doesn’t inspire you to move the chains, then nothing will.

Adrian’s Field Goals

usnikefootball — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:40:24 GMT

Every player has his own way of motivating himself for the upcoming season. For Adrian Peterson, it starts with a piece of paper. In his young professional career the superstar running back for Minnesota has already surpassed milestones that most backs never come close to, but for Adrian it’s all a matter of course. A course he sets at the beginning of every season by putting his very specific goals down on paper, and then holding himself to that self-made contract as if it’s legally binding.

“Focus Points – footwork, pass protection, quickness … Put on a good 10-15 pounds in the right places.” These are just a couple of the mandates Peterson has imposed on himself as he heads into training camp for the ’09 campaign. But perhaps the most telling goal as it pertains to Adrian’s mindset is the one that sits atop the list – “Improve from last season.”

At first glance it seems like an objective for someone who may have stumbled in ’08, or had a down year. But for Peterson, the improvement he seeks is that beyond a season where he ran for 1760 yards, scored 10 touchdowns and earned an all expenses paid trip to Hawaii. Safe to say the guy sets his bar pretty high.

“Before every season I write out my goals. That’s how I make sure I stick to them,” says Peterson. A simple concept with proven results, devastating actually for his opponents. So will Peterson, who was given the nickname “All Day” for his relentless work ethic and supercharged motor, make good on the contract he penned for himself in ’09? Even when one of the goals includes the word Miami?

Those who have followed his career know one thing – Adrian doesn’t put anything on paper he’s not capable of.

Super time again

usnikefootball — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:41:08 GMT

NB--

So now we come to the payoff. Super time again. The 43rd edition of the Big Enchilada, and on the surface, it's hard to make a case against the hated Pittsburghers. Let's get it out front--as a devout Cincy fan, I have loathed the black and gold since I was in pantaloons. I've had to eat five championships for the Steel City, and I fear a sixth. Defensively, they are dominant, as good as Baltimore in 2000 or the G-men in 1986. Their pass rush is everywhere and non-stop, their linebackers make plays and are sure tacklers, and the secondary can play press coverage and ballhawk, led by the invincible HairGod at safety.

But I dare to dream, and I'm looking for ways the scrappy, plucky, up from the desert floor Arizona redbirds can pull a second straight Super Upset. Certainly, it isn't impossible. I turn my adoring gaze toward the ageless QB. Of course, this isn't his first rodeo, having split a couple of SB's. And his play in this postseason has been exemplary. No one is quicker at getting rid of the ball under duress--he led the league in QB rating against the blitz. Special K is smart, tough, and won't get rattled either by the stage or the pass rush. Because of that factor, they have a shot.

So why can't he pull this off?
RW

Robert, Robert, Robert. I gotta hand it to you – fan of the people, speaking up on behalf of the underdog. But that’s part of the hilarity surrounding the main event: not only is everyone talking about it, all they’re talking about is Arizona. Lost in the cuddly, rags-to-riches ascension on the Venus Flytraps of Larry Fitz is one simple fact:

They ain’t played anyone quite like Pittsburgh.

It starts with the defense. Notice I’m not singling out any one player – that’s the thing with this incarnation of the league’s best unit. The pressure comes from both sides, from all three levels, from a ridiculous array of looks. And it’s constant for 60 minutes.

Keep a back in to chip on one edge rusher while you play with fire on the other side. Max protect and all the sudden your gluttony of playmakers are fighting double coverage. Empty it out and you’re living and dying with one-on-one match-ups.

I love what Arizona’s done thus far. Beyond the feel-good vibe, we’ve witnessed the ascension of Fitzgerald into the pantheon of all-time postseason greats. We’re seeing the reincarnation of The Edge. And enough guile from Special K for many pundits to punch his HOF ballot today.

But I love Big Ben even more. He learned in his first Super rodeo that it’s not about completion percentage, yards or awards – it’s about leadership and the win-loss column. Roethlisberger has an opportunity to place his five-year resume at the top of football lore – and he’s approaching this week with backward-hat-wearing utter confidence that eluded him in 2005 in Detroit.

We’ll get into the player matchups more in just a second – how do you see the coaching carousel impacting this title tilt?

Newbs,

I'm glad to see these particular coaches match up. You know it had to crush Ken Whisenhunt to get passed over in Pittsburgh, but the Rooneys were solid enough in their conviction to hire an unknown from outside the organization. Mike Tomlin has proven to be just the right man for the job--and Whisenhunt has done the same, just elsewhere.

I suspect a part of Arizona's late-season doldrums was a canny bit of possum by the coaching staff. With the playoffs assured, they pulled back most of their attacking schemes and played vanilla. It looked bad, but the resulting postseason dominance isn't just a matter of "turning it on" when it matters. Most of football success is about deducing tendencies on film--Arizona has continually surprised the opposition, and much of that is because they didn't give things away in the final month during must-win games. Nice to play in a weak division.

On the other hand, Tomlin has raised Pittsburgh's toughness quotient beyond its already high level. But can toughness cover Fitzgerald? Schematically, Whisenhunt is familiar with Pitt's defensive tendencies, knowing where and when Dick LeBeau likes to unleash his formidable zone blitzes. That's a distinct advantage, but the onus is still going to be on K-Dub and the offensive line to make sure the Birds can capitalize.

You really think Pitt can cover Fitzgerald?
RW

Big Rob:

I don’t think anyone can cover him. And I don’t think it has anything to do with him, either. His partner in crime on the other side plus a third legitimate threat in the slot and the playoff push rebirth of The Edge creates the ultimate pick-your-poison for opposing defenses. That’s why I’m so surprised Arizona’s here – and Fitz has broken every imaginable record in the books: Q has been playing on one leg (or not at all) thus far. That’s why his brilliance through three games is so remarkable.

With two weeks to prepare and get healthy, plus your aforementioned familiarity complex, you’d think ‘Zona has the clear edge. But I just don’t – because even if you know what the other team’s going to do, it all comes down to execution. Pittsburgh’s the best team in the league at maximizing their players’ blend of talents by creating one-on-one matchups. They might double (or triple or quadrouple) Fitz on one play – and come like gangbusters the next. But even then, the key won’t be the “what”, it’ll be the “how”. How the Steelers deploy their arsenal. How they’re able to disguise and confuse. How they execute.

I don’t think you can talk about Pittsburgh and execution without mentioning the dramatically improved state of their offensive line. But when it comes down to it, the execution I’ll really have my eyes on is the Steeler receiving corps. The Fearless One says he’s a go, regardless of how the knee feels. And the rest of the troops appear to have cured the severe case of long-ball dropsies. But they fall in line with their leader – Hines’ impact, just by suiting up – will impact this game one way or the other.

NB,

Yeah, it really does come down to the Arizona D against #7 and the Pittsburgh offense. For all the talk about the inverse matchup, it's the quieter one that's more pivotal. And for all their clutch play and winning ways this season, the Pitt O hasn't been particularly unstoppable. I think the Desert Swarm can make its mark, and keep the game low scoring enough for even an average day from Fitzgerald and Co. to win the day.

So prediction time? I'll go with the Lombardi Trophy headed to the southwest--Arizona 24-20.

Y tu?

RW:

I’m with the Steel City adding one for the other thumb – 27-21.

Larry Fitzgerald : “Spidey”

usnikefootball — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:39:43 GMT

Other wide receivers get more publicity. Other wide receivers are considered more dangerous. But is there another wideout you would rather have on your side right this moment than Larry Fitzgerald? Didn’t think so.

They call him “Spidey” down in the desert because of his hands—so sticky and pliable they must be supernatural. Combine those amazing mitts with an off the charts vertical leap and that critical determination to go get balls when double-covered, and you have the best end in the game.

There’s been a lot of talk about how foolish Carolina was in the divisional playoff game, letting Fitz run wild like that in the secondary instead of triple-teaming him. Sure, they could have forfeited the contest by putting half the defense on one man. More to the point is that the home team underestimated Larry’s route-running skills and football smarts. On several of his catches, Fitzgerald broke off the original pattern, sliding into spots in the Carolina zone he sensed would come open as the play developed. Not all receivers would have noticed those holes, or been skilled enough to get to them, often on the dead run. Fewer still could have made that crossing sprint and flat-out dive for the pylon, which resulted in six points for the Redbirds—and signaled that the stunning rout was on.

So while Arizona is an underdog again this weekend, even though they are white hot and playing at home, don’t be shocked if you see Fitzgerald wearing his gloves in his facemask, his personal signal for a victory. Philadelphia will devote a lot of attention to him, at their own risk. And it might not matter how many guys cover him.

Matt Ryan Offensive Rookie of the Year

usnikefootball — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:47:12 GMT

Let’s go back in time to a Saturday in April, draft day in the NFL. The dreadful Atlantans, selecting third, are on the clock. They have a tricky choice—select a mammoth defensive tackle to shore up their porous line (which is what most fans and pundits are recommending/demanding they do); trade the choice to amass extra picks; or stand firm and take a quarterback with smarts, skills, and savvy, but one that some say doesn’t have the Right Stuff to be a franchise quarterback.

Thomas Dimitroff, the newly hired Atlanta GM, stuck to his gut feeling on that defining draft choice, and picked the quarterback. Howls of disgust followed, but they are silent now. That’s because the signal-caller picked that fateful Saturday in April, Matt Ryan, is the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, and has led his team into the playoffs with an 11-5 record, a stunning turnaround from the wreckage of 2007.

It’s difficult to overstate how difficult the job of a leagues quarterback is. For a rookie, it’s exponentially harder. The game is faster, longer, more violent. Off the field, it’s even trickier. No longer are you in the huddle with your college buddies, all the same age and of similar background. A rookie pro QB has to lead a team of grown men, veterans, with differing agendas and skill sets and motivations. Just getting them to respond to your leadership is a task that many talented QBs never master.

Ryan had the Dirty Birds at hello. His first NFL pass went for a 62-yard touchdown. That’s a pretty good way to let your teammates, not to mention the coaches and the owner and the fans and the opposition, know that Ryan would be worth watching this season.

His overall numbers were shockingly good—16 TDs to 11 interceptions, an excellent ratio and perhaps the most important numerical measure of a rookie QB. 3,440 yards passing. 87.7 quarterback rating. And most importantly, those eleven wins, including four on the road. There is room for improvement, of course—that 61.1 completion percentage could come up a few points, for starters—but for a newbie, the only word is ‘wow.’

Then there is what the numbers can’t factor—Ryan’s savvy, his unflappable demeanor, his ability to change out of bad plays at the line, his slick ball handling, his control over clock and tempo, his ability to get rid of the ball and not take a damaging sack or throw a damaging pick—you get the idea. If you didn’t know better, just turning on an Atlanta game and watching the quarterback, one would never guess Ryan was in his first season.

Of course, the NFL is the most transitory of leagues—today’s success isn’t easily replicated tomorrow. But Hotlanta fans have to be incredibly optimistic about the future. After all, they get to watch Ryan in his second year, when he will no longer be just a rookie. When you have a franchise QB, you have a chance in every game, and every season is promising, regardless of the rest of the talent—that’s how important the position is. And Atlanta has a building block to build around for the foreseeable future.

Week 17 Roundup

usnikefootball — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:41:44 GMT

Playoff football. When the brass ring is right in front of you, you got to grab it with both hands. That’s what Minnesota and San Diego did on the final Sunday of the regular season.

Adrian Peterson wasn’t going to let the defending champions, or a recent bout with fumble-it, keep him from the Mighty Purple’s appointed postseason date. All Day coughed one up early in the game with New York, but rallied in a big, big way. As in an offtackle blast that turned into a 67-yard sprint to paydirt. That gave his squad a 10-0 lead. The Vikes had to score 10 more late in the game, including a field goal at the gun, to win 20-19 and wrap up the division title and a home playoff game next week against Philly.

Peterson finished with 103 yards on 21 carries. That gave AD 1,657 on the season, more than enough for a second straight rushing title. Peterson also becomes the fifth player in league history to reach 3,000 yards in his first two seasons. Pretty sweet numbers—now comes the hard part. Playoff football, and Peterson’s debut.

Out on the coast, San Diego has been in playoff mode for a month, albeit the longshot, what the heck we’re 4-8 kind of playoff mode. But, what the heck, thanks to Denver’s implosion, the Bolts got a chance at beating the Broncs straight up for the division crown. And sure enough, they got it done at home, 52-21.

It wasn’t all LaDainian Tomlinson, but LT did more than his share. Three TDs worth, from 1, 4, and 14 yards out. The first one pushed LT past Marcus Allen on the all-time rushing touchdown list, and into second place by his lonesome, behind only Emmitt Smith. Tomlinson, in an injury-plagued, oft-frustrating season, still managed 11 touchdowns, and is back in the postseason, despite all signs to the contrary as recently as Thanksgiving. Indy comes to town next Saturday night in the wild card round, and with the Chargers peaking, it could be another classic along the lines of last season’s playoff thriller.

Some other good performances on the final Sunday of the regular season—

Larry Fitzgerald was simply spectacular in the desert, catching 5 balls for 130 yards and two TDs as Arizona thumped Seattle. Joseph Addai took a flat pass and turned it into a 55-yard TD early in Indy’s 23-0 win over Tennessee, then took a seat as subs took over in a meaningless game between two playoff bound squads. Steven Jackson bulled for 161 yards on 30 carries and two TDs as St. Louis pushed Atlanta to the limit before falling 31-27.

And Detroit may have finished off the imperfect season, going 0-16, but it wasn’t Calvin Johnson’s fault. MegaTron had 9 grabs for 103 yards and a pair of scores, including one where he sliced through about two dozen tackles to find the end zone. He helped keep the Silver and Blue in the game until the end, but as happened every single week in ’08, they came up short. Sorry to you Detroiters out there, but the lesson to be taken is to play hard, no matter the circumstances. Calvin Johnson sure did.

Week 13 Roundup

usnikefootball — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:43:52 GMT

The media obsessed over the quarterback. Hey, it’s understandable—he’s a marquee idol, he’s a heckuva player, he’s dating a blonde who is an even bigger target of the paparazzi. And Big D sure looked bad when he was on the shelf with the busted digit. But there was another guy who was banged up during that spell, whose absence crippled the Dallas attack. I refer to Jason Witten, the top shelf tight end in the league. On Turkey Day evening, while the tryptophan was drowsing America, Witten was showing why he is so valuable. He grabbed nine passes from his tabloid QB for 115 yards, and a seven-yard TD in the second quarter that let the country turn off their TVs, the 34-9 rout official, and spend some quality time with the family. Dallas is once again a fashionable choice to go deep in the playoffs, and a good bit of that is due to the healing of Witten’s injured ribcage.

Lambeau Field, big game against a top opponent, snow falling, late-game lead—hard to believe the Pack lost a thrilla to Carolina, 35-31. But don’t blame Aaron Kampman. The Green Bay defensive end had two sacks, and had heavy pressure on the QB on several other plays. Tough loss for the green and gold, but another stellar game for their star down lineman with the non-stop motor.

Running back recap, in brief—Steven Jackson pounded for 94 yards, and another 16 receiving, in a physical 16-12 loss to Miami. LaDainian Tomlinson managed 66 total yards and a three-yard touchdown run in a damaging home loss to Atlanta, 22-16. Joseph Addai had 63 even more difficult yards from scrimmage against Cleveland, but Indy pulled that one out, as they have all season long, 10-6.

Only Adrian Peterson had a day. And it was physical—blasting away against a tough Chicago D for 131 yards on 28 carries as the Purple took the division lead, 34-14. One run in the second quarter was quintessential All Day—three defenders seemed to have him stuffed at the line, only to have Peterson work free and take off down the right sideline. 55 yards later, Minny was in business for its first score. In the fourth, Peterson iced the game by banging in from a yard out, despite 12 defenders on the field. A national TV audience saw him covered with blood on his jersey, his helmet, his pants—all in a day’s (OK, night’s) work.