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 story. Modell, Biscioti (new owner), Billick, Newsome, Ray Lewis all come of as caring, sensible, and loyal humans who in their hearts care beyond their immediate needs and goals. Well, almost everyone comes off as decent humans except Dan Snyder who amazingly registers as an even worse jerk than I had imagined. There is certainly some familiarity bias in the way Jamaal Lewis and Ray Lewis’ transgressions are dismissed as silly mistakes. But the bulk of the narrative focuses on the day-to-day grind of the NFL business. I learned quite a bit about the trials and headaches of baby-sitting several dozen men under one roof for a long stretch. The insecurities, the egos, the surprising depth of character in many are all brought out effortlessly. I learned the most about Mike Nolan and Billick. I have renewed respect for both of these guys and am convinced now that Nolan is a hell of a Defensive mind. I had been thinking this since realizing that many of the Defensive players during Harbaugh’s ascension with the 49ers were drafted by Nolan, but hadn’t realized his stint with the Redskins and the Ravens. Despite being a 400-page tome, the book is urgent and intimate as it ploughs through so many personalities and doing them journalistic justice. Every preseason to the final game is covered in fascinating detail. The offseason, draft, and free-agency are also vividly captured. I recommend this to any NFL fan who cares about what goes on behind those games.

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