The Oscars will be broadcast next Sunday night, and as is our tradition at TheClevelandFan, we will be looking at the film vying for the title of Best Picture. We start with "The Blind Side", the surprise hit of the year and one of the highest grossing football films of all time. While this "feel good" film is one of six films that will be content with just being nominated, it may not be shut out of the major awards, as Sandra Bullock is the favorite to win Best Actress for her role as the spunky, real life Leigh Anne Touhy.
Just three years ago, Michael Lewis wrote a very unique and very successful book about football entitled "The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game". The book focused primarily on two very distinct topics, one of which was a very technical analysis of the changes to the game of football over the last three decades, starting with the arrival in the NFL of Lawrence Taylor. Taylor's dominant play from the outside linebacker position, particularly as a pass rusher attacking the left side of the offense, led to a fundamental shift in offensive line play. In order to protect the highly valued (and highly paid) quarterbacks, teams needed a new type of player...a left tackle that could counter the new style of pass rushers; behemoths who were blessed with incredible strength, incredible quickness, and incredible finesse. These protectors of the quarterback's "blind side" have evolved to the point that they are often the second highest paid players on NFL teams.
First "Must See" movie for me this year...and I'll have to wait until Monday to get a chance to see it. Oh, well..."Shutter Island" will still be there on Monday, but my tee times in Myrtle Beach can't wait (yes, those of you still snowed in can start being haters now). 