Still Doing It All

That's how it should look.

They say the first time is always the hardest.  I think Lefty will back me up when I say that he looked a little tentative out there at times, mostly when he was trying to decide whether to run or create more time for his receivers to get open.  Statistically, it'll be his worst game of the year - 3 INTs does not a healthy stat sheet make.  But one ball was picked because he was smacked from his blindside by an unblocked OLB as he threw, the second one was tipped, and the third one... well, he was told to throw to a receiver that couldn't possibly be open, so he did, and was rightly picked off.  But he ran for about 60 yards and a TD on 7 carries (though I believe the 7 sacks he took will diminish those numbers) and had 11 completions for around 110 yards.  Not bad.  Oh, and he punted and played CB too.  Of course.

Even The Rock Can Get Tired

Why so far away from the QB, Austin?

The Rock had a sack and another TFL.  He destroyed some guys playing tackle, but had some difficulty keeping his assignments straight while on offense.  Overall, it was a pretty good start to what figures to be a dominant senior year.

Do Two Halves Equal A Whole?

Looks like that DT is shaking the crap outta you, J.

The Short Order Cook isn't just doling out pancakes anymore.  He's playing defensive end opposite The Rock vying for TFL's, sacks, and supermans.  He had another steady day and was the only offensive lineman who did not consistently miss his assignments.

8/24 Lincoln 10 - Green Bay Southwest 20

Yup.  I count Two and a Half.

That. One. Hurts. There's no way around it - effort alone cannot win a football game.  Execution is everything. When the QB audibles to a QB sneak on 1st and goal from the 1, you have to hear that call (or you have to say it louder).  If you're a TE and you're assignment is to block the outside linebacker on a 5-step drop pass play, you have to at least touch him, or the QB might throw an interception as a result of getting hit.  When the coaches take a timeout and tell you a screen is coming, you cannot lose the FB in the backfield.  And, above all else, you have to know your lane assignments on kickoff and stick to them.  Gentlemen, the effort was there. The game was exhilarating to watch.  But that is no way to lose a football game.  The good news is that you got that one out of the way.  The good news is that when you woke up Saturday morning, you realized you probably played your worst game of the season.  And, without a garbage pick-6 with 30 seconds left in the game, you lost to the conference favorites by just 3 points.  Which means that any one of the aforementioned plays could have changed the entire game in your favor.  You are right on the precipice, gentlemen.  This week you'll take the leap.  As frustrating as that loss was, I know greatness is coming.

We have a new staff photographer for this season.  His pretty pictures are after the jump.

Here Come The Ships

The cougars tell me they aren't just accomplished football players - they're also pretty cute.

Welcome back!  It's been far, far too long.  If you're new to the blog this year, I encourage you to read the initial post to get a sense of why I started doing this.  In fact, this blog was started for just two and a half people, and their parents.  10,000 page views later, it's become something else.  The popularity of the blog, combined with my new role this year, will likely change how I approach my posts this year.  But I will try and stay true to the two things that made the blog such a success last year: a celebration of the Lincoln Ships Football Team and the necessary snark to keep everyone entertained and humble.

After the jump is the only 2012 Lincoln Ships Football Preview you'll ever need to read (with apologies to the HTR).  Let's go Ships!  #ShipsPride