Jerry Kramer Tries to Block Alex Karris
Karris Stalking Bart Starr
Alex Karris Dead at 77
I hated Alex Karris when I was a kid. I think I told you in an earlier blog posting that I wanted to be Jerry Kramer when I was young. Who was Kramer's biggest nemesis? Yep! Alex Karris. Drafted out of Iowa by the Detroit Lions, Karris terrorized NFL Linemen during the 1960's and 1970's. Built like a fire hydrant, Karris was also extremely strong and quick for a man his size. He played 12 years in the NFL, and went on to star in network TV sitcoms, and big screen movies. Kramer and Karris had an informal feud going for years. After Kramer released his book Instant Replay in 1967, both he and Karris appeared in a sports celebrity roast. Karris stated: "Jerry Kramer is the best guard in the NFL, and if you don't believe me, just read his book!" Kramer retorted: "Who read it to you?" Karris was not known for his brains, but he could sure play football. I am sad to see him go.
This is Wednesday, and it is really our last day of the week to get in any serious work before we line up on Friday night. Wednesday's are split evenly between the offense and defense. We also try to hit a couple of special teams on Wednesday's too. By this time of the week, the offensive game plan is solidly in place, and the defense knows the opponents as well as they know themselves. Offensively, we are not really doing anything new, but we do have a couple of new wrinkles to throw at Port St Lucie if we need them. We try to add something new (and fun) for every game. Do we use all the stuff we have every game? No, not by a long shot. However, we do have the ability to adjust our offense to any given situation. We have the ability to go hurry-up no huddle if we have to, or we can run from the huddle and slow the game down. We are a Wing-T based team; however, we are really a multiple formation team, for we have the ability to pound the ball when we have too, or we can spread it out and strike from the air as well. We have been told that Defensive Coordinators hate to prepare for our offense. I would like to think that is true.
When does a man become insignificant? At what age does society start thinking or believing that a man's experience does not matter any more? When does a man's ideas and beliefs become obsolete? Why does education and hard work take second place to youthful exuberance? I am not sure exactly when that happens either. I remember thinking my Dad was the biggest dumb ass in the world, but now I cherish his life experiences, and I recall his coaching wisdom on a daily basis. Its funny, the game has slowly turned back to old school football, and the old school coaching tricks are now significant again. What ever happened to the cross body block? What happened to blocking an area by sacrificing your body to protect the hole? What happened to "Make a pile?" What happened to the 'two handed punch to the stomach' to bring a defensive lineman's hands down? I wonder how Don Shula,Tom Landry, and Bobby Bowden felt when they were put out to pasture?
More tomorrow.
GZ
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