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3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Beatification on the Bayou Sep 06, 2001
By Roger K. Ward
In Roman Catholicism, the first step toward sainthood is Papal beatification. In football, the first step in being proclaimed a saint, a New Orleans Saint, is surviving the cutthroat, dog-eat-dog abyss that is NFL training camp. After reading Woody Falgoux's One Dream The NFL, one wonders which is the easier path to Canonization- the martyrdom and miracles demanded of the Catholic Church or the blood, sweat, determination, and physical prowess required of a training camp located smack-dab in the middle of the mosquito-ridden Dantesque inferno that is southern Louisiana. Upon conclusion of the book, one is unsure.
In Dream, Falgoux chronicles the lives of 10 young men of varied backgrounds, each possessing a love for their sport and dreams of NFL riches and Hall of Fame glory, as they venture forth into the excruciatingly demanding world of New Orleans Saints training camp in Thibodaux, Louisiana. As unsigned rookies, the ten "heros" know that their chances of surviving training camp and making the final roster are slim to none. Yet, their all-consuming desire to be among the elite few who have played in the NFL outweighs the physical and emotional trauma required to become professional football players. It is this highly personal passion for the game and unrelenting drive to succeed that Dream captures so remarkably. Written in a laid-back, journalist style, Dream intertwines the stories of these ten men into a single, powerful, and gripping tale that allows the reader to live his own NFL dream vicariously through these ten men. Indeed, the reader is swept into the story as if he too were on the practice field, seeking to prove himself to coaches who have the power to alter his destiny, more often than not on a whim. In sum, this is a masterfully written book that begs a sequel.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
What every NFL fan wants to know Jan 02, 2002
By Clay E. Simpson
This book is precisely what every NFL fan wants to know about what it takes to make a professional football team's roster. Woody does an excellent job at grabing your attention within the very first pages and holding it to the very end. If you are a fan of the NFL, this is a must read and Woody will have you turning each page anxiously awaiting the fates of the players struggling to make the Saints team. This book is masterfully written and you will find yourself rooting for the underdogs. Woody is a gifted story teller and makes you feel like you are sitting along side him at the Saints training camp. At times, I was rooting for Woody himself as he describes the difficulties the media encounters from the Saints organization during training camp. I highly recommend this book and only hope Woody has his second book in the works.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 The Hard Road to the NFL Dec 17, 2001
By R. Spell
"raspell"
Woody had a great premise for a book, let's follow undrafted rookie free agents through training camp showing the emotional highs and lows of who makes the team. Since his favorite team is the New Orleans Saints, the story starts in a small humidity oppressed Louisiana town that is the sight of training camp. Woody does a great job getting to know the players and attempting to know management and how decisions are made. It's clear very early that the NFL and the Saints don't know what to make of this book and seem to have some concern that it will be a hatchet job.But Woody writes like a true Saints fan who wants to know the players and what it's like to try to make a team. The deck is really stacked against these guys as they must beat out returning players and drafted rookies. Woody gives great examples of the many undrafted free agents who went on to become quality NFL players. But this year's group doesn't appear to have an immediate star and some of the players start dropping immediately. Some of the rookies have great practices followed by weak practices. Some have minor injuries that limit their already limited playing time. And some are trying to fill positions where there are no real spots. It makes for an interesting read from the early cuts to the few that make it right to the final cut. Woody does a good job of showing the fears, insecurities and sacrifices these players make trying to fulfill their dream. Read this book if you are a fan of football.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Feel the rush Dec 30, 2001
By Eric Bakke
An amazing read! The author puts you into the mind, body
and soul of the players. It is more than a book about football, it is about having hope and chasing a dream. Even
when you know you wont win. Read it and pass it on,
quickly.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
You can't judge a book... Sep 06, 2001
By Alicia Lopez
Finding presents for my boyfriend is impossible. When I saw the jacket cover of contemporary gladiators, I breathed a sigh of relief and knew I had found a winner. I started reading it that night, and a strange thing happened-the gladiators turned into truly endearing human beings. This book is definitely about more than football. It's about the extreme heights and pitfalls of life--the beauty and pain everyone experiences--distilled in this NFL training camp. The local color Falgoux includes is also wonderful. Great Book! My boyfriend and I thank you, Mr. Falgoux!
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