Next Man Up--by John Feinstein
This is an NFL book for NFL junkies. This reads like the textual version of the best Football biographies of NFL Films by Steve Sabol. But the book’s heft and observant pace makes for a complete-access behind the scenes look at the machinations of the modern NFL world. Feinstein narrates the goings on off and on-field during 2004-05 as experienced by the Baltimore Ravens. The saga begins with Art Model’s inevitable move from Cleveland to Baltimore, the politics and business deals that brought it there and the narrative unspools from there. While his unfettered access through the new owner and coach Billick seems unrivaled and worthwhile in itself, the narrative certainly gets rolling with ease and dignity. Feinstein, while explicitly discussing coach’ feelings towards their peers, their players, and everyone involved in their world, the narrative never sinks to tabloid gossip or irrelevant sensationalism. Everybody comes off human, flawed yet with a decent core and sympathetic life