He'll Need a New Nickname

Dear First-Team, All-Dreamboat, Ships' utility player,

First things first: you can start focusing on just one position now.  Well, who knows, I suppose.  But I don't think you'll be playing QB, RB, WR, CB, holder, and playing on the kick return unit next year.  But, who knows?  For now, though, the focus will be on improving your arm strength (no, not bicep curls), accuracy, agility, speed, and making sure your threads are tight, yo.  While it was exciting watching you do your thang anytime you got in the game this season, it'll be nuts seeing you touch the ball on every offensive play next year.

We also want you to be a leader with Austin - go read the last Austin post for the specifics.  Basically, you have some big First-Team All-FRCC shoes to fill.  It'll take hard work to fill them.  Go play basketball, but when you're done, take a day week off and then join Austin and his posse in the weight room, speed and agility training, and recruiting new talent.  In addition, find any and everyone you might be throwing passes to next year and get together once, if not twice, a week and play catch.  Tanner and Pistol didn't just do what they did without practice.  The more time you spend practicing with your receivers, the more you'll understand where they'll be, where they like the ball, and when you can trust them to make a catch.  That'll lead to success on the field.  I was a defensive back, but every week, usually 3 or 4 times a week after basketball was over, our quarterback, top two wide receivers, running back, a linebacker, and four defensive backs played a smaller version of 7 on 7 in the fieldhouse after school, usually for 45 minutes to an hour, before we lifted.  We all got better for it, and took it outside when the weather got better.  You don't have to do that.  But if you can, you should.  Plus, it's a ton of fun.

Thanks again for a special season.  Thanks for those two HB option passes that were dead-on.  Thanks for the rushing touchdowns.  Thanks for plowing forward on 4th down for a 1st down during the now-famous final drive of the Homecoming game.  Thanks for playing defense in a playoff game.  But, most of all, thanks for taking my crap all year.  I kid because I care.  Here's some pretty pictures for your trouble...

It was a good thing he warmed-up pregame.  That throw in the 4th was dead-on.

The Swiss Army Knifed through the Chargers' kickoff team.

Not one but TWO kickoff returns for the big S.A.K.  Wait... I could have been using that joke all season but I didn't think of it until now?!?  /hangs head in shame.

You're right.  We wouldn't have wanted the big S.A.K. to catch on.

Don't forget what you learned about high school defensive backs next year while you're behind Jonah (on the field).  Whatever you were thinking, pre-play, is going to be very similar to what your opponents will be thinking.  Remember to take advantage of that.

Go Ships!