One More Game III: One More Chance To Live A Dream

“Play the game, everybody play the game…”
--Freddie Mercury of Queen.

Two weeks ago, I coached One More Game, Volume III. The picture provided above is courtesy of Jim Dunning.

My good friend and former teaching tag team member, Mick Peterson asked me to coach again this year, as I won last year. Now that I understood the program, my expectations were high. Mick coached at PTHS for over twenty years and brought a State Championship home. Another of his team made it to the State’s championship, only to lose to a polished and heavily recruited Northern Catholic team—more on that some other time.

Mick gave me my plays the week before and I ran through an aggressive game plan. I had a desire to combine long range passes with some tight end plays and some quick pitches to the running back, using trap blocks and options for the running back to throw or run slants. I was “into it” this year, trust me.

Here is a link to the article and very cool slide show on the game:
http://www.champfit.com/news-events/one-more-game-2009

The One More Game idea is akin to a fantasy football camp where everyone practices, runs through plays, and then plays a game. One of my all-time favorite students was quarterback last year, in Augustana’s former standout Tommy Green. This year, Tommy was on the other team. I had a key running back returning to my squad in Andy Lauber and a beefy offensive line, anchored by former student Brian Johnson. Former students and quality player Ryan Miller was my Quarterback, along with many other former students in Tommy Allen, Chad Nelson, Drew Peterson, DJ Wallace, Jess Butcher, Mike Thorne, and Chris Green. Many of the other players from the Twin City Dawgs, a traveling football team, sprinkled both teams.

I coached against some of my former students as well. My football mind was pitted against Pontiac Mayor Bob Russell’s mind. Bob is a great guy with a zest for life. He and I got along very well in our practices s we helped one another. He said he knew my Dad and remarked that I had a character with my students that would do my Dad proud, as I have taught his granddaughters. Nice thing to hear.

Born with a bad heart valve, I missed the competition of contact sports as a kid. I love football, watch it incessantly, and have become a student of the game. I know how defenses line up, I can throw subtleties and wrinkles into offensive schemes, and I can predict and figure out the other team’s offenses by watching tendencies. I mean if the Chicago Bears Assistant Coaches Ron Turner and Bruce Babbich can do it, how difficult can it truly be?

Proceeds for the game, based on the fees that participants give, go to supply local schools with athletic equipment from Pontiac’s Champion Fitness Sports Center. Owner Jeff Shade plays and is active in the community promoting healthy choices and healthy lifestyles. He is also a heck of a linebacker and is the anchor and Captain on the defense, as I have learned for the two years he has been on my team.

In our first few series on offense and throughout the first quarter, we were aggressive, moving the ball seventy plus yards on two series and scoring once. I actually thought my team would score two more times. Then fatigue sets in, fumbles happen, I call a stupid run when the pass was open long, then I move to having the QB throw the long ball to see interceptions, and I quickly learn that pitches to running backs have to be quick exchanges or fumbles can occur or defensive linemen arrive in the backfield all too often.

We played three more quarters and discovered that we are tied, and in double overtime, my guys run the ball on the first play, when I thought we had two plays, as the other team scored on their first pass, and we lose. Oh well, it was fun.

The men who played were great. I was called “coach,” I was slapped on the back, and some former players who played football for the district when they were high-schoolers remarked, “you really know what you’re doing…you could coach for real.” I just smiled to them and said, “Nah, I am a football fan. Your coaches teach character and skills that go beyond the field, remember that and thank them some time.”

Mick and I always have fun with this program, just as we did when we taught together. Mick never had the respect he deserved as a teacher, because he did a great job, particularly with students who did not like high school. I always respected and admired his intellect and his enthusiasm. I appreciate his trust in me with the guys he brought up the ranks to be men.

One more Game, Part IV, I am there when called upon whether to participate or to become a fan once again.

The Chicago Bears: First Quarter Of The Season Review

“Listen all you people come gather ‘round…
I gotta get me a new game plan gotta shake you to the ground.
Just give me what I know is mine,
People do you hear me just give me the sign.
It ain't much I'm asking if you want the truth,
Here's to the future for the dreams of youth.
I want it all (give it all) I want it all I want it all and I want it now…
I want it all (yes I want it all) I want it all (hey)…
I want it all and I want it now!”

--Queen, “I Want It All,” from The Miracle album, 1990.

Here is my Chicago Bears Update for you all.

We have to be fair, Bear fans.

I readily admit that I would much prefer Jay Cutler over Kyle Orton as the Bears Quarterback for many reasons. I feel that a game is never really at a loss if the Defense can keep them close and Cutler has a chance to win it. I also feel a great quarterback, like Cutler can turn average receivers into great ones. I mean, seriously, how good is Marshall without Cutler? How good is Braylon Edwards without Anderson? How good was McKinnon without McMahon? I also think Cutler wins games, on his own, and he puts his team in the position to win.

That stated, I want good things for Kyle Orton. I am glad he and his team is 4 and 0. He deserves it. He was a strong player for the Bears and a utility quarterback that kept the team in the game. The thing with Kyle Orton was that I never thought he could take the game on his shoulders and win. He needed the other characters on the team to be actively involved in the cast.

Cutler can do it all. His passes are lasers and his touch, when needed, is something to behold. Jay Cutler can also scramble with the best of them. He has stamina, savvy, smarts, and a fantastic arm.

Aside from the much hyped Cutler, I feel Alex Brown is the unsung hero of the Defense. He consistently makes plays and has a nose for sacks. Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye are my favorite Defensive linemen. They have been let loose and they show me that Bruce Babich was promoted much too early and had far too little experience last year. The players want to play for Rod Marinelli . I foresee good things for this unit.

Personally, I am sorry my friend Hunter Hillenmeyer was injured and I am glad to see he will be back in two or three weeks. I switched from my Cutler jersey to my Hillenmeyer one when the Bears lost to Green Bay in week one. Three weeks and no washing the luck out, the Bears and Hillenmeyer have held up. Go Hunter and heal up soon! This is your moment to shine!

Lance Briggs is a beast and can play with the best of them. He is the strongest player on the team and he shows it down after down. I shudder to think what would be happening right now if he was not playing or if he was released a few years ago.

Jen’s favorite player is Caleb Hanie. After him, she was long ago, in the pre-season, singing the praises of Johnny Knox. She loves his name and loudly in the pre-season would announce “Johnny Knox, All-American!” Little did anyone know how prophetic my future wife’s predictions and comments would be. I may take her to Vegas to pick teams for me. Only Jen knew that Johnny Knox, All-American (her words, not mine) would emerge as probably the most prolific rookie receiver in the league. Great call Jen.

The earliest flaw I see on the Bears is the offensive line. I hope they can gel soon, as Williams has proven himself to be a great first round pick. I respect Garza and Kreutz. I think Pace may be past his prime, and I am one of the fans calling for Josh Beekman over Frank Omiyale.

AS far as the tight-ends are concerned, the Bears have the best in the NFL. I like the two-tight-end sets and they can strike at any given moment. Someone needs to work with Greg Olsen on the basics of catching, but other than that, they will be fine.

Forte is struggling because of the fore-mentioned offensive line. He will be ok as the season progresses. I still question keeping Garrett Wolfe around, but that’s just me.

I think the Bears will continue to improve and make post-season play-offs. I will not back down from my NFC Championship game prediction, but that Offensive Line, privately frightens me.