Credit: G Fiume / Maryland Terrapins / Getty Images

Since joining the Cincinnati Bengals in 1984 Draft, Boomer Esiason never really left the NFL. After his 14-year run as a quarterback to the Bengals, Jets, Cardinals, and Bengals again, Esiason moved to the analysts' box, working now for CBS's NFL Today while also co-hosting the WFAN morning sports show Boomer and Carton. The former NFL MVP shared his take on the recent rule changes protecting players, the role of fantasy football^[1], and why parents should let their kids play ball.

What are some of the biggest changes happening right now compared to when you were playing?
The concussion lawsuits and significant rule changes to protect the players from themselves are adding more offense in the league. The quarterback doesn't get nearly hit as much as he did back when I played. I think that all has been good for the NFL, good for the game.

RELATED: The Failure of Football Statistics^[2]

Is there any specific rule change that you think really made a difference?
Two in my estimation. The pass interference rules and the illegal contact and defensive holding to allow wide receivers and tight ends to roam free 20 yard down without the initial contact or the holding that went on when we played.

What we've seen from those rule changes is a much higher completion percentage from quarterbacks. A 3,000 yard season, which was great when we played, now goes to a 4,000 yard season. Now we're starting to even see 5,000 yards.

RELATED: The Battle to Be the Top Cornerback in the NFL
^[3]

That's a big difference.
The safeties I played against — whether it be Rodney Harrison, Bernard Pollard, or Ronnie Lott — could throw themselves helmet-first into the receiver or into the ribs of a wide receiver, try to break a rib or knock the wind out of them, and let them know that they're going to get hit when they come into the secondary. Now those hits come with consequences, not only 15-yard penalties but huge fines and suspensions.

You said that change has impacted the game in a good way. How?
Now those safeties and linebackers have to think twice about hitting a guy that is exposed because they know they're going to get money taken out of their pockets. All of a sudden the secondary of all these different defenses becomes a playground for wide receivers and tight ends. And that's why guys like Jimmy Graham^[4] and Rob Gronkowski become so completely uncoverable. Who the hell can cover them? The moment they get five yards down the field, the defense can't put their hands on them.

How are defenses coping with that?
I think the proliferation of bigger safeties, Kam Chancellor types. The 6'1"s the 6'2"s that can run like tight ends. If I'm a defensive coordinator I'm trying to find these safeties that aren't just good run defenders and tacklers, but they're the next step up from that middle linebacker that is Ray Lewis. You have to find a guy that can hit and run like Ray Lewis but also has the athleticism to stay with these basketball players turned tight ends. When you have guys who are 6'5" and 255 pounds that are running 4.6 40s and they're running down the field, you better have safeties that can stay with them — a 37” vertical jump, long arms, speed to be able to stay with them, and the athletic ability to go up and make a play on the ball without committing a penalty.

Who's suffering with the rule changes?
The conventional fullback and the running back is going by the wayside. Teams don't really use them anymore. The Adrian Petersons and the Chris Johnsons of the world are less important. Compared to all these great running backs of yesteryear, you might only have one or two of them now because because of the advent of those new guys and how quick they strike. Those guys are in the NFL and because of the physical pounding that these running backs take. The days of the Adrian Peterson types making eight million dollars a year or even 10 are going to be very few and far between.

It seems like the changes made for a more pass-happy game. What has this done to the game overall?
It has enhanced fantasy football first and foremost. The growth of fantasy football to me in itself is mind-blowing. All you have to do is Google fantasy football and look at all the different leagues and their spin. It tells you exactly where the league has been going and where its headed. It's all about offensive numbers. It's all about that spectacular seven-touchdown game that Peyton Manning had in Week 1 last year. I mean he did that against the Baltimore Ravens of all teams.

And the fans love it. You get the highlight reels. You get the spectacular deep throws.
I work on Sundays and the highlight packages we do are condensed because we only have so much time. But fans who sit at home and watch that freaking Red Zone channel on the big screen, that's like coke to a cokehead. It's just so addicting, especially if you're a fantasy football player — like my son is in five different fantasy football leagues and he's 23 years old. That is the money spot for the NFL.

Because all those guys will be tuning in.
The NFL has been so far out in front of it and amazing in terms of attracting new fans and creating new opportunities for fans to be part of something. It's due to the offense and the personalities and the numbers that are being put up. It's really a testament to the people that run the NFL.

Do you think that the league sees what's happening in fantasy football and changes its rule?
I think it's an unintended consequence that the rules changes have really impacted positively fantasy football. 

And if you were playing now with these role changes?
I'd feel like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. I'd want to play until I was 45. Assuming they were paying me 20 million dollars a year. When I hear Tom Brady and Manning say, 'we still want to play. We still want to play.' I can totally understand that.

As fans we'll never have any clue what's its like to be hit in a game, but we watch and it's this weird contradiction — everyone loves this game, but everyone gets fined for playing the game well and hitting. You can't have it both ways.
It's kind of funny. I get a lot of my friends who have kids nine, 10 years old and the moms don't want the kids playing football. My friends either played in high school or college. Well I say, 'are you going to give your kid a smartphone?' 'Yeah we are going to give our kid a smartphone.' I can guaranteed you that kid is going to be behind the wheel of a car and texting one day, and he is more apt to kill himself doing that than he ever would playing football.

I used to say to the mom when I know the dad played football at some level, 'there's a reason you fell in love with your husband and the reason you fell in love with your husband is because your husband became a man as a football player. You learn responsibilities, dedication, teamwork, discipline; you learn to fight through adversity and pain. All of those attributes that you love about your husband came because he was a football player along the lines. And I think that's what you want your son to be. You want your son to be that person and to learn all those virtues and learn life is not easy.' Then I usually convince those parents 'yeah I guess I'll let him play football then. And I wont give them a smart phone.' 

References

1. ^{^} fantasy football (www.mensjournal.com)
2. ^{^} RELATED: The Failure of Football Statistics (www.mensjournal.com)
3. ^{^} RELATED: The Battle to Be the Top Cornerback in the NFL (www.mensjournal.com)
4. ^{^} Jimmy Graham (www.mensjournal.com)

Melinda Sue Gordon / Walt Disney Pictures / Everett Collection

The plot of Need for Speed^[1] is less of a narrative than it is an excuse to accelerate. Aaron Paul is Tobey Marshall, a mechanic wrongly imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit and bent on revenging the frame job perpetrated by Dino Brewster, the ace mechanic played with a wink by Dominic Cooper. Marshall's plan is fairly complicated, but can be boiled down to a fairly simple strategy: Drive very fast. 

The movie itself serves as a vehicle for Paul, who is making a run at post-Breaking Bad^[2] stardom by trying to establish himself as a high-speed chase sort of guy. He's paired here with the comely British starlet Imogen Poots, but the real romance is between him and the cars, a collection of Maclarens, Lamborghinis, and Bugatti Veyrons so sizable that the film looks like an auto show conducted at speed. Paul, the proud owner of a Lamborghini Aventador, used filming as an excuse to go all gear head. 

The freshly minted leading man spoke to Men's Journal about drive school, drive trains, and, well, driving.

What was your first car?
My first car was an '82 Toyota Corolla. It was a manual. The second gear didn't work. I just skipped from first to third. Anytime it rained the trunk would fill up with water. I took such good care of that car though. I loved it so much.

You like cars.
I like cars. I don't think to the extent as my character does, but I think these cars are fun. It's fun to drive fast and go crazy.

Was that why you decided to make this movie?
When I read the script it's the story that shocked me and their vision that shocked me even more. They just wanted to do a throwback to the classic sixties and seventies car culture films like Bullitt^[3]. And they want to do an homage to Steve McQueen. They called me and they sent me mini clips, really pushing the idea. That's not a bad thing. Steve McQueen is the guy’s guy.

How did it feel coming off Breaking Bad, a show that featured a Winnebago, and onto the Need for Speed set? 
It's been like a night and day, but it’s great. I've never really done a lot of action, but for this film there's a lot of action. There’s also a lot of sitting around doing nothing. There's a lot of hanging out watching the stuntmen make my character look bad ass and I'm like, 'Good job. Thank you for doing that for me.'

So the actors didn’t get to drive?
Yeah, we did. Let's be honest…. I have been doing as much stuff as they will allow me to do.

Did they give you any training?
Yeah. I went through a whole crash course before we started shooting this at Willow Springs in California.

What did you learn?
Yeah, driving school. It was really kind of teaching you how to get out of problematic situations. It was Survivor School. It was fantastic. It was so fun. It was just three days in a row all day, but then by the end of the third day I knew how to do reverse 180s drifting around corners, doing a full 360 while driving and then driving out of it, or drifting; going to the side and stopping on a mark. I do some of that in this film and it was a blast. I recommend it for everybody. 

A lot of parents will send their kids to it to learn how to do this stuff to get out of problematic situations and to understand the mechanics of the vehicle. And it’s super fun.

No life lessons from driving school?
I just appreciate the mechanics of it more and the people that are into doing all this wild, crazy stunt stuff. I applaud them because it's a crazy lifestyle.

References

1. ^{^} Need for Speed (www.needforspeed.com)
2. ^{^} Breaking Bad (www.mensjournal.com)
3. ^{^} Bullitt (www.imdb.com)

Patrick Orton / Getty Images

Don't be afraid of commitment, at least not to your skis or board. This year's ski season might not be over yet, not by a long shot (hello, spring powder) but the smart move is to start thinking ahead, especially when it comes to your wallet. "If you are buying a pass for next year, this is the right time to do it," says Russ Pecoraro, director of mountain communications for Vail Resorts. "You won't find a lower price than now."

Last year's Epic^[1] pass went up about $100 from the spring to ski season and there is always potential for a larger increase this year. With the initial deposit down, you'll get the same rides as last season, like all 10 of Vail-owned resorts (four in Colorado, three in Lake Tahoe, one in Utah, and two in the Midwest) along with five consecutive days in Niseko United, Japan. Pecoraro says Vail is always looking to add more value to the Epic pass – like access to a few European slopes – and that they are not done adding the perks just yet.

RELATED: The Best Season Ski Passes^[2]

Other major passes include the Mountain Collective^[3] on sale for $359, which includes two days each at Alta/Snowbird, Aspen/Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Mammoth, Whistler Blackcomb, Alpine Meadows, and Squaw Valley. The Powder Alliance^[4] involves buying a pass to one of the 12 included resorts spread throughout the entire West, and getting three-day passes at each of the other 11 resorts. There's also the Rocky Mountain Super Pass on sale for $439 with unlimited days at Copper Mountain and Winter Park, six days at Steamboat, and three days at Crested Butte. Buy before April 15 (when the price rises $70) and you are guaranteed the lowest price and get 20 discounted Friends and Family tickets for Winter Park and Copper.

The bottom line: Plan ahead for next ski season. The savings you will have by committing to one of these ski passes is worth the bother. "It makes sense to really lock it in now if you are a core skier or rider," says Pecoraro. "Lock in your pass, lock in the price, and then you know you've got next year taken care of."

References

1. ^{^} Last year's Epic (www.snow.com)
2. ^{^} RELATED: The Best Season Ski Passes (www.mensjournal.com)
3. ^{^} Mountain Collective (www.mensjournal.com)
4. ^{^} Powder Alliance (www.mensjournal.com)

Jonathan Ferrey / Getty Images

If all goes according to plan, Kurt Busch^[1] will log at least 1,530 miles on Memorial Day – 430 in the air and 1,100 on the ground – as he "does the double," racing in both the Indianapolis 500^[2] and the Coca-Cola 600^[3] in Charlotte. He's the first driver in a decade to attempt the back-to-back, which requires physical and mental strength as well as the fortitude to navigate complicated sponsor and racing team relationships. He's determined to make the most of the opportunity despite having never driven in an IndyCar event.

Michael Andretti^[4] was the first to suggest Busch try a double about nine months ago, as the driver was enjoying a high point of his career. "The last couple years have been a good time to reflect on my career and try more of a fun approach," Busch tells Men's Journal. "Fortunately, a lot of things came together for me."

Busch will spend 20 hours in the air bouncing back and forth between qualification events, represent two teams using two different engine brands, and spend a hell of a lot of time thinking about weather and possible delays. His one advantage over his historical competitors: Most Indiana counties, including Marion, where the Speedway sits, adopted Daylight Savings Time in 2006 so he'll have an hour Robby Gordon^[5] didn't in 2003.

Still, he's got plenty to overcome on the actual track. "The focus in on the 500 because my life has been centered around NASCAR." Over the last 14 years, the Las Vegas-born racer has won a title, a 600, and a wide range of races behind a roaring stock car engine. Sitting in front of a 10,300 rpm will be a new experience. "In stock cars you can make mistakes because the races are so long, but Indy cars are not forgiving," Busch says. "With my lack of experience, it's intimidating."

But Busch is not the sort of guy who lives at the mercy of the odds. That's why he'll be spending 45 days in a mixed martial arts boot camp between now and memorial day and why he plans to spend some quality time with Mark Martin, the retired strongman of NASCAR. He'll also be going over tape with team owner Tony Stewart^[6], who did the double twice – I want to be a student of his double," Busch says – and John Andretti^[7], who did it once.

"It would be great to lead a lap," Busch says of the 500. "I led some laps at Daytona earlier this year and as I was leading I was thinking, 'This is really cool. If I lead laps at Indy, no one's ever done that before."

At the very least, Busch intends to have a good time pushing his limits. He says he's still dazzled by the Indy Speedway and excited to work with the Andretti family. 

"Indy is the priority," he says, "But this is just about being a racer."

References

1. ^{^} Kurt Busch (www.kurtbusch.com)
2. ^{^} Indianapolis 500 (www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
3. ^{^} Coca-Cola 600 (www.charlottemotorspeedway.com)
4. ^{^} Michael Andretti (twitter.com)
5. ^{^} Robby Gordon (www.robbygordon.com)
6. ^{^} Tony Stewart (www.mensjournal.com)
7. ^{^} John Andretti (twitter.com)

Discovery Channel

For many climbers, reaching the summit of Mount Everest is the ultimate achievement. For Joby Ogwyn, it's the first step. In May, Ogwyn will attempt the first wingsuit flight off Everest's summit, descending more than 10,000 vertical feet at speeds of more than 150 mph. The event will be broadcast live on the Discovery Channel in 224 countries and territories.

Odwyn is no stranger to the world's tallest peak. He summited Everest for the first time in 1999, at the age of 24. In 2008, he set the world record for the fastest ascent, climbing from south base camp to the summit in 9.5 hours, an endeavor that typically takes three to four days. Odwyn plans to ascend in May with professional Everest guide Garrett Madison and three Sherpas.

The success of Odwyn's jump hinges largely on wind conditions, and his wingsuit, custom-made by Tony Suits. The minimalist design keeps Ogwyn's legs free so that he can take a running start from the top—a critical step in ensuring he clears the mountain's enormous mass.

The suit is the first-of-its-kind, and has been under development for more than a year. "It's smaller, more sleek, less like a plane and more like a missal," Ogwyn told Men's Journal from his home in California on Friday. "It will go as fast as you want, and stay in the air a long time."

Ogwyn and team will depart for the Himalayas in March. In the meantime, he's taking test jumps from airplanes, like last week's practice jump in California^[1] (video below), and others in Florida, Utah, and the Swiss Alps to dial in the wingsuit's final design. As added insurance, he performed a test jump from a plane flying beside Everest in 2010, while wearing an early prototype of the wingsuit.

Ogwyn is confident in both his ability and his gear, but concedes that until you actually jump from Everest wearing a wingsuit there's still a lot you don't know.

References

1. ^{^} last week's practice jump in California (www.youtube.com)