Catfish
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- Aug 14, 2006
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- 4,551
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- 64
The Return Game-----What a huge difference in Howler's performance compared to Komar's.
Clearly, Howler has become comfortable in his job as a kick-returner. He is sure handed, (comfortable and confident) in receiving the kick. He is comfortable and (under control) when returning the kick. He does not race headlong mustering every tiny degree of speed in straight course ending in a crash with an opposing tackler. He runs under control of his body, with his eyes downfield, looking for an alley into which he can re-direct his course into in order to escape the oncoming tackler.
Compare that to Komar, first of all, uncomfortable and tight with fear of failure when merely trying to secure the catch, then rushing headlong, completely out of control to the inevitable crash with the oncoming tackler. He sees nothing beyond the impending crash that is about to happen as the tackler and he converge. I hope that Whiz and the ST coach can find some help for him, (or a replacement for him), if that help does not come.
The 'O' line-----Although you really had to look for it, some progress has been made with the revamped line, which incidently played together for the first time yesterday with Lutui being added to the mix.
Not un-noticed by me was a huge effort by Alan Faneca, who totally exhausted himself with the effort he produced yesterday. Way to represent Big Guy. You were a shining light of leadership on what has to transpire in order to succeed.
If one is willing to take the time to understand the system that Grimm, (like Joe Bugel), teaches-----then some progress is being seen even as the game was being played. This system is NOT based upon the more traditional (you block this guy on this play, and that guy on that play), but rather on a system that forces you to select the man to block, based upon what you are shown in pre-snap allignment, (and adjusted for based on where defenders shift to during the play). It is complicated to learn, but once bought into, and learned, it is nearly infallibe under almost any circumstance.
The key is that ALL the linemen need to be bright enough to understand the nuances of the system, and ALL must be willing to learn the concepts of the system. ONCE learned however, this system works, and it works very well thank you. We have far to go before we can expect stellar performances by this unit, but progress will continue, NOW THAT WE HAVE FINALLY SETTLED ON A STARTING FIVE.
If you, (like Whiz), are willing to put your faith into Russ Grimm, and in Joe Bugel who developed this system, then with each passing quarter played together, this unit should play better and better. The fact that both Grimm and Bugel are in the HOF, is reason enough for me to be down with what is being taught in this unit.
With leadership on the field provided by Faneca, and with Lutui's attitude and mean streak thrown into the mix, I can see flickerings of lights coming on for this group. There were some sound adjustments made during combat yesterday, and at one point we ran successfully----until Whiz call a halt because of the fumbling.
Incidently, concerning the fumbling, I have recently observed that both Beanie, and Timmy continue to carry the ball to low and too loose, despite all the work by the staff to counter these bad habits. The result is that BOTH of them continue to put the ball on the ground at the most inopportune time. I hope that the staff finds an answer to that problem and finds it quickly, as this is the third year that we have had to endure this unsightly habit.
Bottom line though-----is that this line continues to grow, and now that personnel are set, should continue at an even faster pace.
Clearly, Howler has become comfortable in his job as a kick-returner. He is sure handed, (comfortable and confident) in receiving the kick. He is comfortable and (under control) when returning the kick. He does not race headlong mustering every tiny degree of speed in straight course ending in a crash with an opposing tackler. He runs under control of his body, with his eyes downfield, looking for an alley into which he can re-direct his course into in order to escape the oncoming tackler.
Compare that to Komar, first of all, uncomfortable and tight with fear of failure when merely trying to secure the catch, then rushing headlong, completely out of control to the inevitable crash with the oncoming tackler. He sees nothing beyond the impending crash that is about to happen as the tackler and he converge. I hope that Whiz and the ST coach can find some help for him, (or a replacement for him), if that help does not come.
The 'O' line-----Although you really had to look for it, some progress has been made with the revamped line, which incidently played together for the first time yesterday with Lutui being added to the mix.
Not un-noticed by me was a huge effort by Alan Faneca, who totally exhausted himself with the effort he produced yesterday. Way to represent Big Guy. You were a shining light of leadership on what has to transpire in order to succeed.
If one is willing to take the time to understand the system that Grimm, (like Joe Bugel), teaches-----then some progress is being seen even as the game was being played. This system is NOT based upon the more traditional (you block this guy on this play, and that guy on that play), but rather on a system that forces you to select the man to block, based upon what you are shown in pre-snap allignment, (and adjusted for based on where defenders shift to during the play). It is complicated to learn, but once bought into, and learned, it is nearly infallibe under almost any circumstance.
The key is that ALL the linemen need to be bright enough to understand the nuances of the system, and ALL must be willing to learn the concepts of the system. ONCE learned however, this system works, and it works very well thank you. We have far to go before we can expect stellar performances by this unit, but progress will continue, NOW THAT WE HAVE FINALLY SETTLED ON A STARTING FIVE.
If you, (like Whiz), are willing to put your faith into Russ Grimm, and in Joe Bugel who developed this system, then with each passing quarter played together, this unit should play better and better. The fact that both Grimm and Bugel are in the HOF, is reason enough for me to be down with what is being taught in this unit.
With leadership on the field provided by Faneca, and with Lutui's attitude and mean streak thrown into the mix, I can see flickerings of lights coming on for this group. There were some sound adjustments made during combat yesterday, and at one point we ran successfully----until Whiz call a halt because of the fumbling.
Incidently, concerning the fumbling, I have recently observed that both Beanie, and Timmy continue to carry the ball to low and too loose, despite all the work by the staff to counter these bad habits. The result is that BOTH of them continue to put the ball on the ground at the most inopportune time. I hope that the staff finds an answer to that problem and finds it quickly, as this is the third year that we have had to endure this unsightly habit.
Bottom line though-----is that this line continues to grow, and now that personnel are set, should continue at an even faster pace.
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