Camp Fire Site

  On the Clock.   Jim Wexell. Behind the Scenes with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the NFL Draft.      Author Jim Wexell has been covering the Pittsburgh Steelers for more than three decades.     He has published several books related to that topic so it was no surprise that his latest book, On the Clock, continues that trend.   The title tends to be a bit mis-leading, though.     While Wexell does reveal some behind the scenes thoughts among Steeler coaches and officials pertaining to the draft, the book is as much a history lesson as it is a look at “draft day war room” transactions.    The book starts by introducing the first ever draft pick by the Steelers franchise in 1935 by the name of Bill Shakespeare, who ultimately never played football for the Steelers.     The draft journey eventually reaches one of the more recent picks in T.J. Watt.   (On the Clock was published before the sele...

The Blood and Guts.     Tyler Dunne. How Tight Ends Save Football.   Author Tyle Dunne has put together an effervescent in-depth manuscript featuring players practicing their craft in the upper levels of football.     The Blood and Guts showcases more than a dozen well-known players that garnered unprecedented success at one of the games most underrated and thankless positions---the tight end.    Between the book covers, readers will learn about legendary players such as Mike Ditka, John Mackey, Kellen Winslow, and new age performers such as Tony Gonzalez, Dallas Clark, Jeremy Shockey, Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski, and many others.    Each had a story to tell.    Most players spoke of challenging upbringings that likely contributed to their work effort and how they played the game.    Their background most certainly augmented their extraordinary toughness—hence the title.     For without t...

  The Storm and the Tide.    Lars Anderson. Tragedy, Hope and Triumph in Tuscaloosa.    Lars Anderson is a renown sports writer featuring college athletics with an emphasis on the university of Alabama football program.     In this book, The Storm and the Tide , this is no exception.      Inside the reader is exposed to two different topics.    The first is about the April 2011 tornadoes that swept through the Yellowhammer state.    The second story includes the role that the university of Alabama football players and head coach had on the recovery and healing particularly for the fans of the tide and the residents of Tuscaloosa.     While the book and stories within are intriguing and gripping the reader will have to accept heavy documentation of Nick Saban and the Alabama football program.   The tornado takes place in the latter half of April 2011 without much warning.   ...