His Best Game Yet

He got his good looks from his mother.  And, hopefully, his hairline.

The Rock lived in the Jags' backfield all night.  TFLs all over the place.  And he had his best night at tackle, too.  This team is going to be cresting at just the right time.

Between a Rock...

When he's assignment-sure, he keeps Hollywood's backside clean.  Wait, that didn't sound right.

The good: he ran down one of the fastest backs in the state and caught him 40 yards downfield.  The bad: the back was 40 yards downfield.  It was just one of those nights.  Now, we can blame it all on the defense playing with 10 players during the first half (I have it on good authority that our FS was concussed on the first play of the game and, at one point, had to ask if he was on kickoff - he had always been on kickoff, all year).  But the simple fact of the matter is that we didn't tackle well.  That won't happen again, right Rock?

Playing Within The System

The Rock is so good, he plays from his knees against inferior competition.

Part of the problem with having a defense that is assignment-oriented is that you may often be asked to do things that, quite frankly, don't take advantage of your particular skill set.  The Rock, for example, would be a superstar 4-3 DE in high school.  But when the rest of the defense is better suited for another scheme, it's great to see that player continue to play within the system for the team's success.  Austin does that every week.  On offense though... well, let's just say that he has some plays to get used to.  But when he knows what he's doing... oh dear lord, look out!

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.

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

Homework

To the First-Team, All-Conference defensive end:

We loved watching you play this season.  The improvement you made from game 1 to game 11 was simply magnificent.  It really was.  You came off a successful sophomore campaign only to get better and better as the days grew shorter and shorter.  But there's still a lot of work to do.  The weight room, Bongo's speed and agility program, and your work at camps this upcoming summer are, quite frankly, givens.  But you've also got to remember to keep eating.  I want your stomach to look less like Jonah's and more like mine.  You've also got stop sleeping.  No, really.  You need to do whatever it takes to break that bad habit of leaving your feet.  You can't make a play if you're on the ground.  But the most important thing you've got to do is make sure you get every real man from the classes of 2013 and 2014 into the weight room and on Bongo's program with you.  Every day.  I'm actually serious about this one.  Leaders get their teammates into the weight room.  And, while they're there, leaders make sure everyone is working and not screwing around.  Leaders also recruit new teammates.  Leaders tell these men, would you rather look like this.  Or like THIS!  You've got to be a leader.  Who knows?  Maybe next year at this time you become the first Lincoln team in years to get to Level 3 and beyond.  So much can happen in just one 9 month period.  Oh yes, only 9 months.  Your homework is due August 6, 2012. 

Resting for Level 2

With Austin heading to East Lansing for tonight's Badgers/Spartans game, it's good that he had a lot of rest last night, playing just 6 snaps before the Ships went up 35-0 (all stats approximate).  Enjoy the recruiting trail, buddy, but when you get back here, hit the film, gym, and field hard.

His Best Game Yet

I would hate to see him line up across from me.

The Bear had his best game yet.  Lots of pressure, near-sacks, a forced intentional grounding, great pad level, and he stayed on his feet.  Overall, he did everything I wanted, except use his swim move.

Groundhog's Day

Austin (and the rest of the defensive line) faced double and triple teams all day long.  "Max protect" took on a whole new meaning when Pulaski had the ball.  The result was little pressure and an explosion of offense in the second half when Pulaski went to the air.  Even so, the Bear still looked like an animal out there.

Meet a Man - Our Interview with Austin

Which way to the gym?

(Editor's note: This is the third installment in a three-part series of weekly interviews with the men who make this blog happen.  Click here for Part I and here for Part II). 

I met the Bear at Pizza Ranch, a new pizza restaurant in town that offers an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet.  Austin had been there for several hours. 

Yo.  I was just about to take a break.  Have a seat.

Bear With Me

Austin had another night of fighting double and triple teams.  I was hoping the Ships would play a 4-3 Cover 2 this game due to the Redwings' passing and option attack but instead I saw a lot of modified 3-4.  Maybe not today.  Maybe not tomorrow.  But, someday, soon, Austin will be put in five technique and told to cause havoc in the backfield.  I just hope I'm there when it happens.

Get by two blockers?  Not enough when they have the tailback ready to chip.

This was Austin's best play of the night (that I caught on camera).  Deep penetration into the backfield, blowing up the option and combining with the Hammer and Tyler (who also made good plays here) on a big tackle for loss.

I just don't think it's fair to Austin that he has to get by four blockers to record a sack.  Call me old fashioned.

Classic Austin, though.  Plays within the scheme, doesn't care about numbers, and smiles about the win afterwards.

Just One Half

Austin, and most of the team, actually, lasted just over a half before being pulled in favor of some seniors who don't get a lot of run.  Luckily, I was able to catch a couple of good shots during warmups to make up for it. 

What?  Big yellow helmets are all the rage.

He heard there was pizza in the north end zone.

Good penetration on the forced fumble.

"YYYYYYYYYYYYY. M. C. A"

It's not my fault, coach. I hear that song and I just gotta dance, dance, dance!

Prey, meet predator.

Austin's dress for Homecoming?

Parents' Night

I'd be remiss if I didn't pay tribute to the parents who raised our two and a half men...

Hey, Jonah - don't look so happy!  C'mon, man.  You'll have plenty of time to bust playas up soon...

See - look at Nick.  That's how's it's done.  Everybody's happy here...

Derek: "What is your mother doing?"  Austin: "I'm not even gonna look"

Austin:  "Wait, Dad, NO!  He's gonna put that on his blog!"

Susie:  "Blog?  SIGN ME UP!"

Cornhusker?

At least one sack (arguably two), some pressure and plenty of tackles.  That was Austin's night.  Bear got his honey.  Great game, buddy.  Enjoy your visit to Nebraska today, and the rest of the recruiting process.

Sacked.

Pressure.

Wait, what happened to his head?!?!?!

Oh good.  Still there.

Crushing tackle of the running back in the backfield...

... too bad the quarterback had the ball.

Conference Update

The Short Order Cook:  "This is what we're making the rest of the conference do."

Nick: "Naw, J.  It's more like this.  What do you think, Austin?"

Austin:  "You guys are idiots."

Staying in His Lane

I'm definitely not as smart as I think I am.  And I'm constantly reminded of this.  To wit: until tonight, I could not understand why they kept having Austin "the Bear" Bown crash into the B gap every single play.  I mean, the Bear gets his honey from the quarterback, and taking on two blockers every play doesn't usually allow him much honey.  But after seeing five sacks by the Ships defense in the first half, and watching how four of them were directly caused by Austin taking up two blockers, which left the blitzing LBer (Jared or Zach) completely free to eat meat, "I totally get it now" (phrase copyrighted by my sister Ed).  That's great teamwork, and a pretty good scheme.  Well played, Bongo Bongle.  Well played.

Not a block in the back.

Two blockers?  Check.  Forcing the quarterback backwards and out of the pocket?  Check.  Sack Attack Zach get the glory because of the pressure and he wasn't blocked?  Check.

Yep, there was a theme last night.  Good work, Austin.  How bout a high five?

I said "High Five."  That's just weird.

Sack-tastic

A fully armed and upright Austin can do bad things, man.

Blood makes the grass grow - KILL KILL!

Hey, Austin - They weren't grabbing your facemask all game, were they?

You're right - dumb question.

8/26 - Green Bay Southwest 7 - Lincoln 27

I missed the first big conference game of the season thanks to my sister's wedding (rehearsal).  The HTR has all the highlights, though.  Congrats to Austin, Nick, and Jonah on a job well-done.  And Nick scored a TD?  Hot damn!

Good job, Austin!

Good job, Nick!

Good job, lil' buddy!

And a big thanks goes out to the Pommers who helped get the crowd cheerin'!

Get On Your Damn Feet

Uhhhh, I don't think 56 has the ball, Austin

Football move?

Austin wrangler.

Did he at least buy Austin dinner first?

I like how Notre Dame isn't even blocking him here.