Countdown: 6 Days to go!

`Im Ric Flair! The Stylin`, profilin`, limousine riding, jet flying, kiss-stealing, wheelin` n` dealin` son of a gun!

We had out final full scrimmage today in Sharks Stadium.  The whole day was sort of laid back and business like.  I came in a little early and took care of the water while a few of the kids set up the field.  We had a quick staff meeting at 2:45, and we were on the field promptly at 3:00.  Miller led a quick stretch and we went right to a unit period.  We started the actual scrimmage at about 3:45 pm.  Randy called me today to ask if the headphones were charged.  Remember the charging cart I made last Sunday?  Well, it paid for itself today, for I knew immediately the phones were charged and ready to go.  No more searching for outlets and chargers. The cart will really come in handy.  Anyway, we put on the phones for the first time today, and we called the game from the sidelines.  Bethel has so many different 'packages' of receivers and running backs that I need to stay on his hip while he calls plays.  This way, I can make sure he gets the personnel he needs for a given situation.  Sometimes it is kind of nerve racking trying to stay ahead of him.  Like I have written before, Randy can be pretty intense and demanding if things are not going his way.  Luckily, after 15 years, I am used to it.  The scrimmage went back and forth today, and neither side really got the better of the other.  With the addition of the defensive kids, the offense took a big leap forward this week.  This may be a good offensive team after all.  When the defense is at full strength, they are going to be very, very tough.  They are just so damn physical, and they fight like hell. 

We have 'free' physicals tomorrow morning at Sebastian River Medical Center.  One time per year, the hospital donates their facility, and the doctors donate their time to give our student-athletes a sport physical.  The physical is good for a full school year, and it will clear the athlete to participate in all sports.  I am not a doctor (obviously) and I really do not know what is checked, but I do know the players are weighed.  We have had a couple of players in the 300 lb plus range, and we even had a player in the 400 lb range.  Kids today are bigger than we ever were.  Not too long ago, a 225 lb player was a pretty big lineman.  Now days, 225 lbs would be considered small.  I really don't know why kids are bigger, but they are maturing and growing much faster than we ever did.  It must be the hormones in the food they eat.  Food is better, and medicine is better.  Today's athlete is bigger, stronger, and faster than ever.... but in my opinion, they are also a little behind.

When I was a kid, obviously we did not have computers, or video games, or I-Pods, or 300 plus TV channels to watch.  We played ball outside for hour and hours.  Football, baseball, basketball, frog ball, whiffle ball. kick ball, or whatever.  We were constantly throwing or catching a ball of some kind.  No one ever had to show us how to catch a ball.  Either you caught the ball or you would get busted in the head or mouth.  Now days, we generally have to start from square one. This is a football!  This is how to catch a football!  This is how you get in a three point stance! etc..  Naturally,
not all younger players fall into this category; however, I will say that the players who played in the youth leagues are way ahead of those who did not.  The coaches in the youth leagues are do a great job with their kids.

More tomorrow.  I am tired. 

GZ