Practice last night was a big change of pace. In some ways slower and others much faster. We started off breaking the offense and defense down again then headed to the chalk board to learn the basics of the schemes. Not too surprised to find out we are shifting from the 6-2 defense we ran last year to the more traditional 4-3 defense. Of course I got a chuckle hearing the DC’s name for the middle linebacker. Monster. Only he would come up with a name like that over the traditional “Mike” used by most. Of course the ribbing on my inability to tell my right from my left started almost immediately, as the Middle linebacker is going to have to make all the calls, and everyone is pretty much assuming that’s my job.
After chalk time we all got back together and ran through warm-ups and conditioning drills. They turned it up a notch and kept it pretty intense for about 40 mins. Then we broke down into our defense position skill groups to start walking through our basic sets and areas of responsibility. The middle linebacker is going to have to fill some pretty big shoes, so I know I need to drop this excess weight and fast, or I may not last too long. Coach, I think, was trying to throw some subtle hints that I’d better keep the intensity high if I wanted to keep the starting middle linebacker job. He had one of the new girls rotating in on that position and learning the basics for calling the plays. Of course she doesn’t have near the weight or strength I do to throw around, but she is a hair faster and can probably last longer... at least for right now.
Though towards the end of practice I got a few more props for the way I played on my ankle last year, so I know he knows just what I can bring to the table. I just need to prove I haven’t lost it
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