A quick glance at the clock reveals the time to be 3:45am. Through bleary eyes, you watch a football sail through the air in slow motion, falling safely into the hands of a waiting receiver. There is a certain ballet-type quality to the entire scene. After a blink and a delayed focus on the screen, you begin to notice that this is a highlight film of the 2001 Arizona Cardinals, but it matters not. It is football, and more than that, it is NFL Films.

With revolutionary camera work and insight into multiple facets of the game, NFL Films has earned a well-deserved reputation as a pioneer in the way sports are seen on television. There have been many imitators — hell, the XFL even tried to capture the same closeness and depth of field of the game by putting cameras ON the field — but they have paled in comparison. The images presented on television screens across America, and the Uber-Voices of John Facenda and Harry Kalas are burned into the minds of those who have enjoyed them over the years.

With that said, why let the magic stop there? There are so many more avenues that the brilliant camera work and wonderful voiceovers could enhance! Let's ponder the possibilities, shall we?

MLB Films. Sure, you could have the same magic shots you get from NFL Films... the baseball flying through the air after a Chipper Jones home run or a Vladimir Guerrero throw... the flash bulbs in the background as Omar Vizquel rolls a 4-6-3 over... the impact as a catcher gets drilled by a runner looking to score the winning run... these images are constants. However, think of all the wonderful insight we could get into the game... closeups of players downing andro, Bud Selig talking on his cellphone during Brewers games, Tampa Bay pitchers working on backing up third... picture it! We could have never-before-seen insight into the labor talks. This must be done... the sooner, the better.

Fantasy Draft Films. This would especially be hilarious for the members of the leagues in which your faithful staffers at ContractBud.com participate. Imagine the laughs when a closeup is shown of Matt's screen as Adam picks his favorite player one pick ahead of him, and the ambient mic catches Matt dropping an F-bomb. These drafts are amusing enough when conducted behind closed doors, and deserve some screen time of their own.

NBA Films. Never-seen angles of Shaq dunking as only he can (because he can't do anything else), Doug Christie getting completely abused on defense, and an entertaining inside look at yet another 107-72 loss by the Atlanta Hawks. Get exclusive footage of NBA stars recording bad rap albums, press conferences about players sitting out of practices, and Allen Iverson waving pistols in relatives' houses. It's FAN-tastic!

And, last, and probably least...

WNBA Films. You could REALLY go inside the game with WNBA Films. The in-depth practice footage showing players snowbirding waiting for a pass downcourt, airballed free throws, bricked jump shots... if the NFL Films team can make this entertaining, their greatness will be forever cemented in history. Hey, while they're at it, maybe they can make a film called "WNBA's Greatest Dunks"! Oh, wait..

Hey, if crap such as "Like Mike" can get made, surely someone has to have interest in these. Until next time... pass the popcorn!

File last modified May 15, 2011