Observations from Two Feet Away (Nov, 19)
By Adam Knoll | November 19, 2009 at 03:30 PM EST | No Comments
So what is the fallout from last nights meeting? On the large scale, barely anything, we were going to play 10 games during the season, whichever conference we played in. The difference is that I knew we would have to play every team in our conference, and conference strength would play a major role in how we could approach the season. From inspecting the new Conferences, it is apparent that they were chosen by location and proximity to each other; which means that when we travel, we will mostly be traveling south.
We ultimately ended up in the National Conference, in which the established teams went 25-13-1 last season, that’s a .658 winning percentage for those of you at home. By playing all of our conference ‘rivals’, we will have 4 games in which to play American Conference teams, and they will be made up of mostly close opponents to us. So watch for a date with the Scorpions, Heat, Gladiators and Sabers. If not, we could end up with a game against one of the three Milwaukee teams, which is unlikely due to their distance.
So let’s say that our schedule should fall that way, here are the teams we would be playing next season:
Lynx (9-1)
Cowboys (7-2-1)
Cougars (6-3)
Heat (6-4)
Gladiators (4-6)
Nighthawks (3-7)
Sabers (3-7)
Premier
Cardinals
Scorpions
Taking the three teams out that didn’t play last year, that’s an opposing record of 38-30, .559 winpct. Not great, not horrible, somewhere above average. However, it would be noted that 5 of our games would be against playoff teams from last year (out of six). Depending on how the schedule turns out, there is an almost perfect chance that there will be a real difficult stretch in there, probably one of 3 games or more. Easy wins will not be a liberty for us, as every team on that schedule has a real chance of being good to great.
Observations from Two Feet Away (Nov 14th)
By Adam Knoll | November 15, 2009 at 01:25 AM EST | No Comments
As noted elsewhere, the practice was on a great day, it’s just too bad so many had to miss, and a few had to leave a bit early. The practice, as always, was regimented into different aspects, again doing individual drills along with a scout section in our team exercise. The scout portion was brand new in that we had yet to take time to run other team’s plays or defensive formations. The practices have become more driven and skill intensive, and not just an all day offense-defense back and forth.
Offensively, we looked good again, adding wrinkles to our scheme as we plug along. Personally, these 6 practices, I have expected a lot from all of the guys. We may be running a new scheme, but it never was a goal to ease into it. Our first practice, we started with two schemes, and have since expanded to six while adding in pre-snap responsibilities and blocking assignments. The whole deal has been very fast paced and for the most part everyone has not only been excited about the scheme as a whole, but also very quick to pick it up.
At Wide out, Linkowski and Ritter again looked very smooth, becoming about as comfortable as I could have hoped for. Richardson got some time and was hounded by the D. He’s the type of receiver that defenses are going to make sure someone is on him at all times, which is good for us because someone else will go unnoticed. Splitt and Lowes got a bit of time at WR also, learning the backup roles and getting some much needed time to develop. The two nicest catches came from this group as one came from Ritter, physically taking the ball from Linkowski on a deep route, and the other was made by Linkowski himself in the corner on a wheel.
At Tight End, both Menard and Sisk got some time (Dotson chose to physically beat upon the rooks from the defensive side), and again played very well. I think at one point Menard had 4 catches in a row, and Sisk is impressive with his soft hands.
Running Back was a fun time, as Weiss, Brown and Smith got some major time back there. All are learning the scheme quite well and seem to understand the ins and outs of what we are looking for.
Defensively, another defensive front was put in, and it was a trip. The entire defense played up to their potential after getting beat upon last week pretty badly, which I said at the time, wouldn’t last. If the defensive leaders are anything, they are prideful and quite angry when things aren’t being done up to potential. This may be the first week they did not have an INT though, and during our small running session they seemed to get beaten to the hole a bit too much, yet when we have a full line come in (indoor practices), we will know more about that.
So now, our focus goes to the next 3 months of snow and cold and the unavailability of an outdoor field. We have now broken down to our positional captains who will stay with their appointed groups weekly all the way until the ice thaws and the grass comes back. Until then, THIS is the time to go to the gym, THIS is the time to do book work and THIS is the time to have the scheme beaten into you until you know it backwards and forwards. Come March, I don’t want to have to teach scheme on the lower levels to anyone presently on the roster, I want to add elevated stuff right at the beginning. So take the opportunity to get in shape and know your spot, because March will come fast, and we want to be ready.
Observations from Two Feet Away (Nov 7th)
By Adam Knoll | November 07, 2009 at 08:03 PM EST | No Comments
Again with the good weather, my goodness… 60 degrees and sunny, it was a beautiful day to work on the schemes as today, was a rookie day. Some of the usuals were absent (Richardson and Mikal) yet the new trio from last week (Menard, Splitt and Ritter) was joined by Cody Sisk, and fresh faces Nick Del Frate, Steve Borowski and Chris Smith. Also a few other new guys came out, but they never filled out an app, so until they do they are not on our roster. We had a bit of a lull from the veteran side as TJ Dotson, Aaron Knoll and Dan Lowes were out for varying reasons, and Richard Linkowski and Chris Bella were severely hindered by illnesses. It was one of those days where the rookies got plenty of time in the sun.
Offensively, the day was ours. Some days the defense just rocks us, they are that talented, but today, with the addition of a few more formations, the offense played some really nice ball. Ritter was again solid, mostly playing the left side or in the slot. He looks to be in the early running for the prime slot position, but he’s battling Richardson for that. Splitt and Menard got a little time on O, Split got a few carries (FB) while Menard impressed with his length at TE. All in all it was another solid showing for them.
Sisk, is a mandate for who we’d like to see come out; Athletic, strong and able to switch positions and perform well. He got some time at TE (as well as the time he spends as a LB) and really did well with his routes. When we get to more of a running attack, his inside power will be nice to have.
For the new guys, Del Frate looked really good up until he pulled a leg muscle. Pulled muscles were the name of the game today, afflicting a few guys during individuals. He will fit very well into the LB rotation. Steve Borowski is an intelligent player who will probably spend most of his time on defense. His short stint on O today didn’t give us a strong enough sample size of his talents there. He is another coaching product from Wilmot that will pay great dividens. Smith got a good sample of both offense and defense, playing at CB and HB. He had a few nice runs, yet was beat in the secondary a few times. He looks capable of working his way to a job, I hope a winter of work will help as that is the time players gain, or lose, spots.
As for the verterans, Nick Weiss was everywhere, picking up a lot of the slack since Purtee had to bounce and Bella and Link were sick (real sick). He is comfortable and capable doing almost everything, and he almost looks ready to throw on the pads now. Trion Brown got some more work at HB, working his way to a spot there. A backfield rotation of him, Ronnie Orr and Weiss should be quite nice. Brown made a few more nice plays in the secondary, which he always does. Ronnie Orr was Ronnie Orr…these practices never give him justice. Without a line, it’s really hard to see what he truly is. Come season time people will see.
Hector Carrasco came back from his sabbatical and looked sharp. He missed a few practices with the installation of the new offense, so it took him a minute to catch up, but all in all he did fine. A trio of him, Link and Ritter is looking damn nice. Bella and Link left most of their lungs on the ground after practice. Whether or not they should have been out there is not a question to ask, their dedication is exactly what we expect, and will get, from our squad this season.
As for me, well I felt damn nice today. Balls were going exactly where I wanted them to and the offense we have installed is looking very, very well put together. That’s not to say it’s ready…no, not even close. The defense still has its days, and far too many of them, at least from my vantage point. I made some mistakes today, got picked on a few bad balls, but hey, when you toss it 70 times, things will happen. We still have a long way to go, and a long time to accomplish what we are setting out to do. Yet, it comes quicker than you think. Nobody wants to be standing on the sideline before the first game wondering if they are ready. We wont ask that question, because we will be ready, more than ready
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